City hall shake-up in Nebraska City

Joe Jordan | Nebraska Watchdog

Nebraska Watchdog has learned that a shake-up is apparently underway at city hall in Nebraska City.

According to one key source and a local radio report, City Administrator Joe Johnson and City Clerk-Treasurer Arnold Ehlers are on their way out.

Contacted by Nebraska Watchdog, Mayor Jack Hobbie referred any questions to City Attorney David Partsch. Partsch, Johnson and Ehlers have not been available for comment.

Meanwhile, KMA radio is reporting that Johnson and Ehlers both “failed to earn re-appointment” by the city council. According to the station’s website, “City Attorney David Partsch tells KMA News the vote was 2 to 2 with one abstention on Johnson and 3-2 against Ehlers.”

According to the Nebraska City News-Press, Johnson was hired in 2011 at a salary of $83,500.

The city’s website says Johnson has been responsible for the day-to-day handling of personnel, operations, and finances.

Ehlers, who is also the city’s Finance Officer, is responsible for “all city and utility funds, official record-keeping, account management, special projects, and administrative staff.”

Stay with Nebraska Watchdog for more on this developing story.

Contact Joe Jordan at joe@nebraskawatchdog.org.

Joe can be heard on Omaha’s KFAB radio every Monday morning at 7:40, KLIN in Lincoln every Tuesday morning at 7:35 and KHAS-AM in Hastings every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.

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