It’s difficult to pick out the best feature of City Park, because the heart of the park is different to each Crete citizen: slides and climbing structures, shaded areas, or the restored fountain, to name a few.

New to the park today (May 9) is a heart sculpture, “Of Nebraska,” art teacher Michelle Hrbek’s design representing an array of cultures and backgrounds, many of which relate to Crete and Nebraska, both past and present.

The sculpture was part of a public art project, Nebraska By Heart, for which dozens of hearts were painted or adorned with designs by artists and citizens from around the state and auctioned for charity in October 2017. The project was endorsed by the Nebraska 150 Celebration, which brought awareness and participation for the sesquicentennial anniversary of Nebraska Statehood.

The heart was placed between the playground and bandstand where City of Crete crews poured a concrete pad and built a pergola in the circular area once occupied by the fountain. The area is also monitored by security cameras.

Hrbek teaches art at Lincoln Northeast High School and has several connections to Crete. Her husband’s parents, John and Jan Morgan, are former Crete educators and residents and some of her current students attend a church in Crete.

“As an educator in Nebraska, I see so much diversity in my classroom,” Hrbek said. "I really struggled to come up with a multicultural design; I wanted to make sure certain cultures were represented, including newer immigrants and folks who have been here for generations.” 

Hrbek said she thought about her own students, like those from Mexico and Sudan, and the process helped formulate her design.

“I’m also excited that Crete bought the heart. The town has almost reinvented itself by welcoming other cultures.”

Hrbek’s design features twelve women in traditional attire depicting cultures and ethnic groups which relate to the state’s pioneering heritage and present day immigration. The women remain faceless to allow viewers the opportunity to see themselves within the representation. 

“The individuals are women because within the family it is oftentimes mothers who take care of the family by preparing meals, providing clothing, and carrying on customs and traditions of their culture,” Hrbek said. “The contributions of an array of cultures are what make our history rich and our future bright.”

Learn more about Crete's City Park.

Sign up for Summer Reading has begun at Crete Public Library.

Check out all the fun programs planned in June and July, which means more time to complete those reading logs and more programs. Registration for preschool, elementary ages and middle school ages will run through Friday, June 1, the date of the kickoff event; drop in from 1 to 4 p.m. for crafts, games, a balloon artist and a visit from Elephant and Piggie.

View/download registration forms: Elementary/Preschool or  Middle School

Preschool and Elementary programs

Children registered for preschool-age programs will sign up for Wednesday or Thursday slots. Elementary-age programs will run on Tuesdays in June and include a UNL virtual field trip, Jack and Kitty music duo, a visit to Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, and a 4-H petting zoo. A special music program will be held on Wednesday, June 6 for preschool and elementary ages.

Middle School programs

Middle School-age programs will also be held in both June and July, including Zen & Win; Harry Potter Trivia and movie; Bookmarks, Buttons & Brownies; and Zombie Tag.

Click on the calendars (Elementary/Preschool English and Spanish versions and Middle School) for dates and times of all programs in June and July.

The pool party is scheduled for June 28. Summer Reading programs in July will be on Wednesdays for all ages, including Pete the Cat story time, Lego games, a magician, and science presentation. Family Movie Night will be held on July 27 in City Park. There is no charge for any of CPL’s Summer Reading programs. For more details, call the library at 402-826-3809.

Click on the links below to download forms

• Building Permit Form
• Plumbing Permit Form
• Mechanical Permit Form
• Fence Permit Form
• Sign Permit
• Curb Cuts
• Demolition Permit
• Well Permit
• Right-of-way Permit
• Septic System Permit
• House Moving Permit
• Mobile Home Placement Permit
• Plumbing License Renewal Form for 2018
• Application For Variance

You can now pay your utility bill 24/7 through our new online bill payment option. You don't have to pay with a card, you can use your checking or savings account as well.  You will need a routing and account number for this service. Make a payment online

This link is also available from the homepage: "Online Utility Payment" button. 

Required information to pay your bill will be the name on the utility account, your address and the utility account number.  We need this information to determine which account the money goes too.  After you input your card/bank information, you will be asked to enter an email address in order to receive a receipt.  The receipt is just like the one you would receive if you came into the office to pay your bill with your card.  Your bill will still be credited on the day you make the payment. 

If you have any other questions, visit the Public Works Office (City Hall, 243 East 13th Street, Main Entrance on the south side of the building) or call 402.826.4312.

Utility Bills and Rates

• A service deposit is required on all addresses; transferable if the resident moves to a new address within City service;
• All utility billing statements are mailed the last business day of the month;
• Bills are due by 5:00 p.m. on the 15th of each month;
• Bills paid by the 15th receive a 10% discount; accounts paid after the due date are subject to forfeiture of this discount;
• Accounts not paid by the due date receive a courtesy notice; a disconnect date is noted on the original bill and the courtesy notice;
• Payments can be made in person at the Public Works Office at City Hall, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; drive-thru, night drop, mailed or online;
• Personal checks, money orders or cash are accepted; debit/credit cards accepted with 2.5% convenience fee.

Electrical Service: The City of Crete Departments of Public Works Electric System retails electricity within the corporate limits. 

• View Current Electric Rates

Water and Sewer Service: 

• View Current Water Rates
• Residential Sewer Rate: Monthly customer fee $29.70, plus $2.63 per 1,000 gallons average monthly water consumption for the lowest three months of water usage of the five winter months of November, December, January February and March (Calculated each April) or $37.51 average sewer fee for customers without usage history. 
• Commercial Sewer Rates: Contact the Public Works Office at 402-826-4312.

Garbage Collection and Recycling: The City of Crete solid waste service is provided by The Garbage Company. A recycling tote is included free of charge.

• Residential Rates: 
  • Small Tote (65 gallon)    $17.89
  • Large Tote (95 gallon)    $18.18
  • 2 (95 gal.) Totes             $22.98
  • Seasonal Yard Waste     $12.00
• Commercial Rates: Contact The Garbage Company directly at 1-800-322-4272 for service and rates.

Outside Services:

• Spectrum Cable - 1-800-248-8823
• Black Hills Energy (natural gas company) - 1-888-890-5554
• Windstream (local telephone service) - 1-800-347-1991; Repair Service - 611
• Other television and phone services available, check phone local directory

Please see the Public Works sections at left for more information on these City services.