Legal notices provide insight into local government

The Nebraska Press Association has launched a new public website to provide greater public access and notification to the workings of all government entities and courts in Nebraska. The website – http://www.nepublicnotices.com – is a cooperative effort of all Nebraska newspapers and is managed through the NPA.

The free-access website was initiated in June 2021. Currently, more than 90,000 notices are on the site and more are posted each day. Notices are fully searchable by keyword, type of notice, by date, publication, county, or city or village. After public notices appear in print in newspapers, as required by state statutes, they are then uploaded by newspapers to the website within 24 to 48 hours of publication.

Executive director of the Nebraska Press Association, Dennis DeRossett, said newspapers across Nebraska funded development of the site, as well as all costs involved with hosting and maintaining it; there is no additional cost to any government entity or court for notices to appear on this website.

"This is a true public service to the people of Nebraska, provided by community newspapers across the state," he said.

Amy Johnson, owner and publisher of the "Springview Herald" and current board president of NPA, said, "This project has come together extremely well because Nebraska's newspapers are committed to the belief that public notices are an essential part of the foundation of a democracy. Through public notices, units of government at all levels notify taxpayers when, where and how they conduct the public's business.

The legislation increases the allowable amount of grant and loan forgiveness assistance up to 75% of eligible project costs for entities serving 10,000 persons or less. This bill will help our smaller communities afford necessary modifications to their drinking water systems.

As the public hearing process continues, I urge you to contact me with your thoughts and opinions on bills that have been introduced. I can be reached at District #40, P.O. Box 94604, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509. My email address is [email protected] and my telephone number at the State Capitol is 402-471-2801.