The Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District (MNNRD) is moving ahead with plans for a new headquarters in Valentine, Nebraska, after board members voted 5-2 in favor of construction. The decision follows more than six years of planning and budgeting for a modernized facility to replace the district’s current offices.

The proposed building will be approximately 11,000 square feet and, based on recent bids, could cost around $3.7 million. While the official vote did not specify a dollar figure, the latest contractor estimates have given the public a sense of the project’s scale.

Public Pushback and Transparency Concerns

The decision has not come without controversy. Several Valentine-area residents attended the board meeting to express frustration over both the cost and the process. Some questioned whether the building was truly necessary and criticized the board for holding many discussions in closed sessions rather than open forums.

“It is a tough decision. We’ve been looking at it for over six years, and we’ve been budgeting for it. It’s not going to change anything as far as a tax ask,” said board member Justin Hammond, defending the project’s long-term planning and budgetary impact.

Alternative Funding Proposal Rejected

Board member Greg Wilke, one of the two dissenting votes, proposed a compromise—redirecting $2 million toward the district’s conservation budget instead of a new building.

“It is a pro-NRD motion. This is demonstrating that we have a balance of projects and building,” Wilke explained. His motion, however, failed in a narrow 3-4 vote.

MNNRD General Manager Mike Murphy raised concerns about committing conservation funds without clear guidelines or guaranteed external support.

“There are a lot of unknowns with state and federal funding, and the funding challenges could continue to go on,” Murphy said. “For the next umpteen years, we’re going to have to think out of the box for funding programs.”

Future Needs and Long-Term Costs

Murphy also pointed out that the district faces potential high-cost projects in the near future, including the development of a management plan for Mill Pond, a key local water resource.

Supporters of the new office argue that an updated facility will improve operational efficiency, provide space for growing staff needs, and better serve the public through modern meeting rooms and conservation program resources. Critics remain concerned that the project prioritizes administrative infrastructure over on-the-ground conservation initiatives.

The MNNRD board is expected to move forward with the next phase of design and bidding in the coming months. If construction proceeds on schedule, the new headquarters could open by late 2026 or early 2027.

Originally reported by Casey Wonnenberg.