By Marisa Dawson
The Bennington City Council met on November 10, 2025, at the City Office. Key approvals included a special liquor license for the Bennington Public Schools Foundation’s annual Game Night fundraiser on January 16-17, and multiple engineering invoices tied to ongoing projects like the Public Works Building and Neumeyer Farm Park.
The council approved a conditional use permit for a motor vehicle collision repair facility in the C-1 district, contingent on final lot line adjustments, access easements, and landscaping review. A final plat for Rainwood Square—a 27.85-acre commercial development at 156th & Rainwood with 12 commercial lots and 4 outlots—was also greenlit, with grading expected to begin in spring or summer. Additionally, a change of zoning and preliminary plat for Prairie Ridge, a 54-unit duplex development in the R-3/CMD overlay at Bennington Park Plaza, passed subject to engineering comments. Mayor Clint Adams will be addressing public comment concerns about the current state of the property with the owner.
Ordinance No. 546 passed its second reading, aligning 2026 sewer rates with Omaha’s increases to fund system maintenance. The council approved the traffic signal cost at 156th & Bennington Road (up to $4,080), stop sign installation at Harvest Lane & Warehouse Street, and two HDR Engineering agreements totaling over $56,000 for the Big Papio Creek Trail. The Public Works Building advanced with a $318,935.90 pay application and $3,802 change order.
Community updates included a new part-time library hire and an upcoming sled dog presentation on November 22—open to all ages! The Police Department reported Tony Ramaeker has started as a part-time SRO, and Officer Dillon Simon is in training. Officer Paul Smoot was appointed as a Task Force Officer (TFO) with the Social Security Administration, investigating fraud at no cost to the city—his time and a new truck are fully reimbursed. This role brings added potential revenue from asset seizures and access to federal resources. In Public Works, Neumeyer Farm Park soccer fields are holding up well and should be ready by spring.
A request is under review for the city to contribute $5,000 toward a $12,000 batter’s eye screen at the Legion baseball field, with the schools already pledging $2,000. This needs more information and may be added to the December agenda. The Office Report highlighted ongoing issues with the 20-year-old “Welcome to Bennington” sign—frequent, costly repairs have prompted plans for replacement, with quotes in progress and research on potential support for the cost.
The next meeting is on December 8.
