By Marisa Dawson

The Bennington City Council approved several major projects and policy changes Monday night, including a 1.4% reduction in the city’s property tax levy, the next phase of Neumeyer Farm Park, zoning changes to accommodate a local micro-distillery, and a proposed Downtown Improvement District.

The council met September 14 for its regular meeting following a budget hearing. The 2026-27 budget was finalized with the levy set to decrease 1.4%. No public comments were made during the budget hearing.

Mayor Clint Adams said the city also experienced a strong June sales tax month and noted that while several large capital projects are planned for the coming fiscal year, spending was reduced in some areas to maintain the city’s financial position.

Two agenda items involving a 2.2-acre property at 16205 Pawnee Road generated discussion during Monday’s meeting.

The Planning Commission recommended changes that would allow a micro-distillery as a conditional use within a C-4 Flex Business zoning district. The city had originally been presented with the text amendment as adding a micro-distillery as a permitted use, but the council approved it as a conditional use instead. Planning Commission members said the change gives the city greater oversight over future businesses of this type. The commission had voted 7-0 in favor of the text amendments.

The changes were prompted by a specific applicant but will apply citywide to similar businesses in the future. The updated definitions also address uses such as tasting rooms and retail operations. A commercial-flex space could be used for production, while additional uses such as tasting rooms or retail would be subject to the applicable requirements.

The property was also approved for rezoning from Transitional Agricultural to C-4 Flex Business. The Planning Commission had recommended the rezoning by a 6-1 vote.

Applicant Ryan Lynch of Prevail Distillery told the council he hopes to move his existing business into the approximately 6,200-square-foot building on the property. The business has operated for about four years, and Lynch said he wants to move the operation closer to home. The business would initially employ about six people and could include tastings, custom blends and retail sales.

“Our intent is to be good neighbors,” Lynch said.

Several concerns were raised by neighboring property owners during the public hearing, including infrastructure, water and septic capacity, noise, operating hours and an existing driveway easement serving nearby residents.

Lynch said an infrastructure study would be conducted, but that the study could not be completed until the zoning issue was addressed. He also said operations would primarily take place during the day and likely only a few days per week initially, with events ending at a reasonable hour.

Planning Commission members said extending a water main across the highway could be considered as development continues in the area. They also noted that access concerns related to the easement could be addressed through the county and direct road access could be considered.

The council ultimately approved both the zoning change and the text amendment allowing the use as a conditional use.

The council approved a $1,623,369.88 contract with Blade Masters Inc. for Phase 2 of the Neumeyer Farm Park project. Four contractors submitted bids, with Blade Masters submitting the lowest bid at just over $1.6 million. The project had originally been budgeted at approximately $2.1 million.

Phase 2 will include four more sodded fields, sidewalks, on-street parking and amenities such as benches. Construction could begin as early as October, with completion estimated for July 2027.

Blade Masters also participate in Phase 1 of the park. City officials said the company provided references for similar park projects in Omaha, and the scope of work was reviewed and confirmed. The lower bid was also attributed in part to Blade Masters being a smaller contractor with less overhead included in its pricing.

JEO Consulting Group will provide construction administration and remain involved throughout the project under an approved $65,000 contract amendment.

The council approved the city’s one- and six-year street plan, which outlines projects to be pursued according to priority and available funding.

City officials said the city may not have enough funding to complete every project identified in the plan, but the projects will be bid out and completed based on priority. Mayor Adams said an asphalt overlay project covering several stretches of roadway is expected to come before the council for approval soon.

The 2026 street patching project was also completed and approved for payment. The project came in under budget, with the final invoice to TR Construction totaling $55,587. The original bid was approximately $61,000.

The city also recently completed the Bennington Road bridge approach project ahead of the start of school. Additional patching work was completed on the 156th Street bridge.

The council also continued discussion about the possibility of establishing a Downtown Improvement District.

Jeanette Wade of Dandelion Salon Co. attended the meeting as city officials and downtown business owners discussed potential improvements and how such a district could provide long-term solutions while potentially opening opportunities for grant funding.

Short-term ideas include a monument sign listing downtown businesses, benches, improved lighting, public art and holiday lighting and decorations. Longer-term possibilities could include streetscape improvements, pedestrian enhancements, expansion of downtown improvements and addressing architectural needs.

The concept would also encourage downtown businesses to work together to increase events, visibility and activity in the area. Officials are still working through questions before conducting a potential survey of downtown property owners. Among the questions being considered are where improvements would take place, who would benefit from them and how the improvements would be financed.

A Downtown Improvement District would require signatures from at least 30% of the affected property owners to move forward with the process.

Department Reports:

The Bennington Police Department reported issuing 22 speeding citations during the previous month.

Three juveniles were arrested at school or school-related events for drug possession. Police also investigated the theft of two enclosed trailers, one of which was later set on fire at Lake Cunningham.

K9 Ducky also assisted the Omaha Police Department with an operation that resulted in the discovery of approximately six pounds of methamphetamine.

The library highlighted the success of its summer reading program and upcoming continuing education opportunities for staff.

Youth Services Librarian Johnna Ware was awarded a $1,500 continuing education scholarship from Three Rivers Library System to attend the Association for Library Service to Children’s National Conference in Buffalo, New York, Oct. 1-3.

Public Works reported that city parks were aerated in August, with particularly strong grass recovery at Centennial Park. Another round of aeration and seeding is planned for late September, weather permitting.

The department also reported losing a tree behind left-center field at the Legion field due to wind. The former Tim Ohrt Park sign has been repurposed to label the east gravel parking lot.

DustLock returned to Bennington to treat Vermont Street, several alleys and the east parking lot at the Doug Nelson Sports Complex. Public Works reported seeing significantly fewer alley washouts following recent heavy rains.

The department also reported ongoing maintenance issues with its mowing equipment, including electrical problems with both Hustler mowers and mechanical failures involving the city’s Kubota Z-turn and Scag V-Ride. The city plans to replace the Kubota Z-turn after the new fiscal year begins.

Meanwhile, work continues on a new city website, with mockups approved and content development underway.

The council also approved several special designated liquor licenses associated with Founder’s Day, scheduled for Sept. 26.

The next regular City Council meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 13, due to the Monday holiday.