The Fremont city council has unanimously approved reimbursement of almost $200,000 for engineering services if Costco comes to the town.
#BREAKING: Fremont city council unanimously approves reimbursement of almost $200,000 for engineering services if Costco comes @action3news
— Nick Starling (@NickStarlingTV) June 1, 2016
It was standing room only as many people were opposed to the chicken processing plant to build in southeast Fremont.
But city leaders said this would benefit the city.
"To say no to this agreement tonight would simply place the city on unnecessary financial risk and that's not in the best interest of the city," said Greater Fremont Development Council executive director Cecilia Harry.
Tuesday night's meeting focused on getting utilities to the area the proposed Costco chicken processing plant would build.
"The people should be the ones that make this decision, it seems right now it sort of being driven by closed door meetings, a lot of talks about things that are happening very quickly," said opponent Jeff Karls.
"I think a lot of people is concerned about home values, and as a mom, schools, will it overrun-will we have enough teachers, will the types of teachers we have be correct for the user," said Jennifer Karls.
Jane Klebb from Bold Nebraska said this practice was illegal, "You can't use taxpayer dollars to cover the cost of a private company even if that private company is planning on paying you back".
