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Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.

Main

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  • Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.
    Main

  • Use the FAQs module to easily find answers to the questions you ask the most.
    Main

Electric Department

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  • Reporting Street Lighting Malfunctions Malfunctioning streetlights should be reported to the City of Sidney utility office at 308-254-5300 or online at www.cityofsidney.org. When reporting, you will need to identify and/or locate the pole by the nearest address or intersection it serves. Under normal work/weather conditions minor street light repairs such as bulb, fuse and head replacements typically will be repaired each week on Fridays. Major repairs such as conductor replacement or underground utility work may take up to 3 weeks to repair. There are over 1,400 street lights within the city limits, so repairing/fixing may be delayed due to weather conditions. We strive to get them repaired/replaced as soon as possible.
    Electric Department

  • Electric costs are rising every year for several reasons. The cost of the raw materials (coal) for use in the power plants and the costs associated in transporting that coal from the mines to the power plant increase every year. New federal environmental regulations are being passed every year which creates a large amount of overhead cost for the wholesale power producers. Also consider that over the last five years, transmission costs (the cost of getting electricity from the power plants to customers) has risen over 90%.

    The City of Sidney keeps our cost of electricity as low as possible, however, we can expect an approximate increase of 4-6% each year for the next five years, mostly caused by governmental regulations.
    Electric Department

  • Most of the city's overhead electric system is between 50 and 60 years old. An overhead system is more susceptible to storms, wind damage and critters on top of poles than an underground system. The city is working to convert its overhead system to underground to eliminate as many power interruptions as possible beginning with areas of town that do not have alley access to power lines and poles.
    Electric Department

GIS

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  • A GIS is a computerized system for managing large amounts of information that is geographically referenced (related to a geographic location). A GIS integrates hardware, software, geographic data, database tables and personnel to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze and display all forms of geographically referenced information.
    GIS

  • A GIS can support many areas of work with virtually unlimited information compatibility. In addition to using GIS to create maps of Sidney, our GIS is used as a tool to support decision making areas such as planning, design, maintenance, repair and emergency response. It allows city staff to work faster with increased efficiency and accuracy while providing improved decision making capability.
    GIS

  • GPS stands for Global Positioning System. A GPS consists of three parts: The 24 satellites orbiting the Earth, a portable receiver that you carry and the control center that is responsible for maintaining the satellites. A GPS receiver uses the satellites to collect position data on Earth (like latitude and longitude coordinates). You can output the data from the GPS to a file which then can be imported into a GIS. Once in the GIS, the data can be mapped to show the position of data. GIS uses GPS data to locate objects and collect information. The city uses GPS to locate objects such as street lights, signs, curbs, bus stops, etc. and brings that information into the GIS for analysis and mapping.
    GIS

Inspection / Zoning

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  • You can do your own plumbing and electrical work if you own the home and live in the house. For homes you own but do not live in, you will need to hire a licensed plumber or electrician.
    Inspection / Zoning

  • A permit fee is based off of the value of the entire job including all subcontractors and electrical work. See the rate structure under "building and permit fees". Call our office at (308) 254-5300 for more information.
    Inspection / Zoning

  • A building permit is required by code for everything except for painting and carpeting. Permits are not required on window or door replacement if they are the same size. Permits are not required for accessory buildings of 180 square feet or less. However, you must meet all setback requirements for the building eave to the eave of the main structure.
    Inspection / Zoning

  • You will need a permit if the storage building is going to be larger than 180 square feet.
    Inspection / Zoning

  • The City of Sidney and its 2 mile jurisdiction has adopted the IBC-2012, IRC-2012, IPC-2012 and the IMC-2012. Buildings must meet these codes as well as a Class C Exposer, Maximum wind gust of 90 MPH, and 20 pound groud snow weight.
    Inspection / Zoning

Public Transportation

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  • No. The public transportation buses run only within city limits.  

    Public Transportation

  • The public transportation buses operate Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5 pm, with the exception of holidays. Office hours are from 6:30 a.m - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday rides are from 8:30am to 2:00pm but you will need to call on Friday to schedule for a Saturday pick up. 

    Public Transportation

  • The rates are $1.50 per one-way trip for all areas within the City limits.  Prepaid punch cards are available. The cost is $15.00 for 11 rides.

    Public Transportation

Pool

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  • Generally, the pool opens Memorial weekend to the first Sunday of August. Pool preparation and painting are dependent on good weather.

    Pool

  • Hardship cases are handled by the Cheyenne County Community Center. The person will be asked to write a letter to the Center stating why they want the membership, how they will utilize it and how it would benefit them. They also need to provide a free and/or reduced lunch form from the school system they attend. Contact the Community Center at 308-254-7000 for more information.
    Pool

  • Yes, a limited selection of noodles, goggles, balls and kickboards are available to rent.
    Pool

  • Charlotte Dorwart (308) 254-4002 and Anna Demn are the swim team instructors.
    Pool

  • Any of our Pool Managers can discuss with you times when the pool and lifeguards would be available for special events. They can be reached at (308) 254-0956.
    Pool

Street Department

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  • Different equipment clears snow and ice differently than others. Motor graders have cutting edges that can get under the packed snow and ice to clear the streets to pavement. Truck plows push snow off the roadway, but run across packed snow and ice. The Street Department has one motor grader.
    Street Department

  • There are several answers to this question. 1. Equipment used to remove snow and ice must be driven at low speeds. 2. The amount of accumulation is also a factor. Larger accumulations means longer clearing time. 3. Emergency Snow Routes are given priority over all other streets and may need to be cleared more than once. 4. Weather conditions such as high winds and drifting cause longer clearing times. 5. Traffic volume also affects clearing times. Ideally, snow removal would take place at night when traffic volumes are low, however this is dependent on when the snow starts and stops.
    Street Department

  • The link provided will inform you of City ordinances, policies, map of snow route, list of snow route streets and common answers to "snow route" questions.
    Street Department

Water Department

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  • 16.8 grains/gallon
    Water Department

  • The water is sampled weekly.
    Water Department

  • The city will help you identify if you have a leak or normal consumption.
    Water Department

Fire Department

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  • Call 9-1-1 If possible, give the exact address or approximate location.
    Fire Department

Community Development

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  • First of all, congratulations on opening a business and thank you for choosing Sidney! In general, you do not need a license to do business in Sidney. You do need a sales tax permit from the Nebraska Department of Revenue and you must complete an Occupation permit for the property that your business will be located in.
    Community Development

Parks

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  • The Cheyenne County Community Center, at 627 Toledo Street, schedules park events and handles scheduling all facility reservations. They can be reached at 308-254-7000. Select “0” for staff assistance in setting the reservations.
    Parks

  • The Parks Department can initially help citizens evaluate the cause of tree problems. However, we can not remove your tree. You will need to contact a tree removal service.

    Parks

  • Yes. For a fee of $45.00 (per pickup load) the City Parks Department will remove brush piles from your property.
    Parks

Police Department

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  • Stop by the Sidney Police Department (1715 Illinois) Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is a $2.00 charge for copies of accident reports. For additional information please visit
    Police Department

  • Dog licenses can be purchased at the Sidney Police Department (1715 Illinois) Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. You must provide proof of vaccination for each dog. For a schedule of fees, please visit
    Police Department

  • Correct the defect and then come to the Sidney Police Department or contact an on-duty officer. They will ensure the defect has been corrected and sign off on the "fix-it" ticket. You will then need to return the ticket to the agency that issued it to you.
    Police Department

Human Resources

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  • No. You must complete an application. You may attach your resume and cover letter to a completed application, however, the application must be completed in full.
    Human Resources

  • No. Applications are only accepted for positions that are currently open. You must reapply for any future openings.
    Human Resources

  • That depends on the position. Positions that require the operation of mechanical equipment such as a backhoe or lawn mower would typically require that an individual be at least 18 years of age. Lifeguards and part-time Library Clerks are required to be a minimum of 16 years old.
    Human Resources

  • Typically, positions are posted on the City of Sidney website. An exception to this might be for positions that have a principle line of progression. An example might be a police officer being promoted to sergeant. There also may be transfers between departments without going through the application process if it would serve the best interests of the city in doing so.
    Human Resources

Waste Water

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  • The City’s average daily flow is 600,000 gallons.
    Waste Water

  • No, the City staff is capable of testing BOD/CBOD, Ammonia, Nitrates, Total Nitrogen, Chlorides, pH and TSS on our influent and effluent water. Additionally we perform tests on our sludge such as Total Solids, Volatile Solids and pH.
    Waste Water

  • The city has land around the old and new Landfill. After the sludge meets the 503 EPA sludge regulations, the sludge is land applied as fertilizer.
    Waste Water

Landfill

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  • It is open Mon - Fri , 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, excluding holidays. On select Saturdays, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm from mid March through mid October. Closed on the Saturday after Good Friday and during Oktoberfest.

    Landfill

  • We have two drop off locations. One is at the North East corner of the Safeway parking lot, the other is on Dowart Drive by the old hospital.

    Landfill

  • Bring your motor oil to the Landfill to be recycled. Stop at the Scale House and we will direct you to our oil tank on the South side of the Baler Building.
    Landfill

  • The compost site has a separate spot for tree branches. Please put the branches next to the TREE BRANCHES sign, not in the compost rows.
    Landfill

  • Place the sharps in the designated container and take it to the Landfill office. Please do not place them in your regular garbage as they need to be separated out.
    Landfill

Cemetery

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  • Greenwood Cemetery is 2 blocks north of Highway 30 (east Illinois Street) on Greenwood Road. Burlington Northern and Union Pacific railroad tracks converge near the southwest corner of the cemetery.
    Cemetery

  • Please remove all Memorial Day decorations from grave locations by the second Monday in June.
    Cemetery

  • Chad Radtke can be of assistance at the Cemetery. He can be reached from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time by calling 308-254-2337.

    Cemetery

  • No. Pets are not allowed at Greenwood Cemetery.
    Cemetery
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