Crete is a growing and diverse 'community in motion' with over 7,000 residents who call it home. We embrace our pioneering heritage and present-day diversity and continue to thrive with a strong economy, successful school system, and safe parks and neighborhoods.

The City of Crete has nearly 70 full time employees. No matter what role you have with us, you are sure to experience growth, professional development, and career achievements.

(Want to learn more about Crete? Check out City Government, Parks & Recreation, Departments, brand new Library, Business & Industry, and other community links.)

The City of Crete is taking applications for the position of Code Enforcement Officer. Non-exempt, full-time; hourly salary: $17.63 - $24.17. Minimum job requirements include, but are not limited to: must be at least 19 years of age, possess a high school diploma/GED, possess a valid driver’s license, must be legally authorized to work in the United States. General functions: Monitor, identify and investigate City code violations, ensure animal control, and provide relevant support to the police and other City departments. See job description for more information.

Applications are due no later than Midnight on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 and may be obtained from the link below or by contacting the Human Resources office at City Hall. The City of Crete is an equal opportunity employer. Applications should be completed and submitted in one of the following ways: 

• Download the application and job description, type responses, print as PDF and email to shelby.brown@crete.ne.gov
• Print, write responses, scan, and email to shelby.brown@crete.ne.gov
• Fax to 402-826-4334
• Mail to the attention of Shelby Brown, City of Crete, at PO Box 86, Crete, NE 68333-0086
• Drop off at Crete City Hall - 243 East 13th Street in the utilities drive-thru on the east side of the building

View/download the application materials:

• Job Description
• Application for employment

For additional inquiries, please contact:

Human Resources Department
City Hall - 243 East 13th Street
Crete NE 68333-0086
Phone: 402.826.4313 Fax: 402.826.4334
jobs@crete.ne.gov

Crete City Hall and Utilities Office is closed to all walk-in access effective Monday, Nov. 9.

City staff are available by phone or email during regular business hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Other visitors to City Hall will be allowed by appointment only. Please call the general City Hall number (402.826.4312).

Utility bills can be paid in the drive-thru during regular business hours or left in the night dropbox. Access the drive-thru/night drop by entering on Linden Ave. between the Post Office and the City Park tank and driving along the south side of City Hall, then turn left at the “Public Works Business Only” sign. Exit onto East 13th Street. Walk-up window access is allowed.

The city website will be updated accordingly with this information and links to contact staff and access city services. See to COVID Information section or this updated article on city programs and services.

Update Nov. 10: Access to the library collections is closed to the public until further notice. Library staff is on hand and can provide limited services through the pickup window on the south and through phone calls, 402.826.3809.

Limited services and materials from the library are available:

• Normal due date and other circulation policies will remain in effect, i.e. length of checkout and damaged materials.
• The Library pickup window hours are as follows:
  • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.;
  • Tuesday and Thursday - 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.;
  • Saturday - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Drive-thru pickup of items is available at the pickup window on the south side of the building, near the 15th Street and Forest Avenue intersection.
  • Patrons may call the library and request that items be held at the for them at the pickup window.
  • Or reserve items from the online Library Catalog. Log in to your account using your patron card number (without the P), and the phone number you have listed on your library account (without the 402 or hyphen. Only include the area code if the phone number does not have a 402 area code). Find the item you wish to check out and click on the title. Click on 'Reserve this item. Find more information on reserving materials online and using the pickup window..
  • All materials are available to be reserved except weekly magazines
  • When you arrive at the pickup window, please ring the bell and we will be there to help you as soon as possible.
• InterLibrary Loan (ILL) service is open for books not in the CPL collection, but available at other libraries that are still offering the service at this time; patrons do pay the mailing cost (one way only) for books loaned through this service.
• All returned materials are put in “quarantine” for four days before they are available again for checkout. 
• OverDrive offers patrons access to online, downloadable AudioBooks and eBooks. To use these resources, you’ll need either an individual or a family library card in good standing.
• Mobile printing is available. 
• Patron WIFI is available in the seating areas outside the library. Password is: CreteLibrary

City Hall is also closed to walk-in access until further notice. Find more information on the status of city programs and services or how to contact city staff.

(Information current as of Nov. 9.)

For the general public:

The City of Crete will continue to share relevant and timely information and recommendations from public health services - State of Nebraska and the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local Public Health Solutions.

The City of Crete advises all residents to follow the statewide Directed Health Measures from state officials during this COVID-19 outbreak. The city is in regular communication with health officials on the best courses of action for communities and will continue to share relevant and timely information. Directed Health Measures issued by the state are restrictions on individuals and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19. Read more about the DHM, links, and local case maps.

Status of City of Crete facilities and services:

The City of Crete has the health and safety of employees and community residents in mind by increasing already routine cleaning and disinfection procedures during the current COVID-19 outbreak. City officials are in communication with local partners, schools and industries to discuss health and safety plans.

City Hall:

Update Nov. 9: City Hall is currently closed to in-person visitors. Contact staff by phone or email during regular business hours: Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm. All City of Crete meetings of the city council, committees, boards, and commissions will be held in the Community Room at Crete Public Library. 

Utility Bills can be paid in the drive-thru during regular business hours or left in the night dropbox. Access the drive-thru/night drop by entering on Linden Ave. between the Post Office and the City Park tank and driving along the south side of City Hall, then turn left at the “Public Works Business Only” sign. Exit onto East 13th Street.

Utility payments can also be mailed to City Hall (243 East 13th Street, Crete, NE, 68333) or made online. Find more information on utility bills and payments.

City Hall phone numbers: 

• Administration, Utility Office, Public Works, Building Inspector: 402.826.4312
• Finance Director, City Clerk, Human Resources: 402.826.4313
• Parks and Recreation: 402.826.4314
• Community Assistance Office: 402.826.6405 or email: nancy.tellez@crete.ne.gov
• Find more phone numbers and staff emails.
• See end of article for more online links

The City will provide updates and any changes in access to city services as they become available. Find information on the city website and social media accounts, @CreteNE.

Crete Police Department - lobby:

The lobby of the police station (1945 Forest Ave.) is closed to walk-in access. Details are available in the Police Department section of this site, including:

• Burn permits are now available online. Permits will not be provided at the station. 
• Police Reports will be sent only by email. Paper reports will not be provided.
• See the Animal Control and Licensing page for pet licenses and animal impounds
• See the Parking Enforcement page for parking tickets and vehicle impounds.

If residents wish to report a crime that doesn't immediately need a police officer to respond, please call 402.826.6422 for the administration/records section Monday through Friday between 8 a.m.-11 a.m. and from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. For police response call 402.826.4311. An officer may contact you by phone or in person, depending on the call type.

Crete Public Library:

As of Monday, Nov. 9, Crete Public Library is closed to public walk-in access. Library staff are available by phone and email and for limited services through the pickup window on the south side of the building. Call 402.826.3809. Read more about current library access and reserving materials through the online library catalog.

The Library pickup window hours are as follows:

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.;
• Tuesday and Thursday - 10:00 - 7:00 p.m.;
• Saturday - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Parks and Recreation:

Update: August: Youth recreation program signup has resumed for volleyball and flag football. COVID waivers now inlcuded in signup.

Update June 1: Crete's public parks will reopen on June 18; Wildwood Pool will remain closed. Social distancing guidelines must be followed - groups of six or less and six foot separation between groups. Read more...

Update, May 26: Tuxedo Park is open to approved baseball and softball participants under new guidelines.

Update, March: Youth Soccer, Micro Soccer, Micro T-Ball, T-Ball, and RipTide swim team programs are canceled for this spring and summer. 

Registration fees for Youth and Micro Socer programs will be refunded to all participants via mail as soon as possible. Youth Soccer participants (grades 1-6) that have not yet received their soccer shirt may pick it up at the recreation office at City Hall after April 13.

Recreation questions can be directed to Dan Dunaway, Recreation Coordinator, 402.826.4314, or email dan.dunaway@crete.ne.gov

Transfer Station:

Transfer Station regular hours will continue to be Tuesdays, from 1 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The station is located 1/2 mile north of Highway 33 and Boswell Avenue on the east side of the road (478 County Road 2300). Yard waste or brush and metal or iron items can be dropped off for free. All appliances with freon must have it removed and tagged prior to disposal.

Fees are charged for certain garbage items. Under current social distancing guidelines, no payments will be accepted at the Transfer Station; attendants will instead collect contact information from residents and the city will issue a bill for disposal of garbage items. Bills can be paid by mail or through the City Hall Utilities Office drive-thru.

The city provides an abundance of information on departments, services, and programs online. See tabs above or these links:

• City Hall phone numbers and emails
• Full City Code, with searchable keywords; 
• City Zoning Regulations;
• Forms & Documents;
• Building Inspector: Building permits and Call Before You Dig information;
• Crete Police Department services - pet licenses, vehicle tickets and impound
• Community and Economic Development programs (LB 840 and TIF);
• Parks and Recreation information, including park locations and amenities and recreation program signup on RecDesk;
• Crete Public Library - staff contact information; Overdrive audio and ebooks;
• Living in Crete - community links for agencies, programs, recreation

The City of Crete sells all of its surplus vehicles, equipment, and miscellaneous items through online auctions at Public Surplus on a rolling basis as items become available.

• Register as a buyer: The Public Surplus online site requires registration and confirmation for all buyers. Visit the site for online registration.
• Auction time: Items will be listed for online bids for 7 days. New auction items will be posted on Wednesdays at 9 a.m.
• Terms and conditions for all purchases, including payment processing, are listed on the auction site.
• Find the city's surplus items by searching the 68333 zip code.
• Scheduled Pickups: Pick-up of items purchased by winning bids must be scheduled with the City of Crete. Please call Finance Director's Office at 402.826.4313 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.
• Viewing of auction items in person is by appointment only: Please contact the Finance Director's Office.

View the City of Crete's current online auction items.

Crete City Hall
243 East 13th Street
Crete, NE  68333
402.826.4312

Released July 30:

COVID Community Response Fund (United Way) 

One-time grants are available for individuals or for families living in Saline County who are experiencing difficulties in paying for essential expenses due to hardships caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Grants are for short-term COVID-19 related hardships, and may be requested for expenses such as the following: housing costs, transportation costs (car payments, repair or other transportation-related expenses), utility bills, child care, groceries, and medical bills. Funds will be paid directly to the service provider.

Need Help or Have Questions? 

• Call: 402-729-6510 
• Email:UnitedWay.Cornhusker@gmail.com

COVID-19 Relief for Refugees and Asylees 

Refugee Empowerment Center in Omaha is coordinating financial housing-related assistance (rent, mortgage, utilities, and technology) for Nebraska's refugee communities. The funding is from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), so anyone falling under their definition of 'refugee' may apply for this assistance, including: be a refugee, SIV, victim of human trafficking, asylee, Cuban or Haitian parolee; have arrived within the United States within the last 5 years.

• Call: (402) 554-0759

Nebraska Strong Recovery Project 

Region V Systems is continuing the efforts of the Nebraska Strong Recovery Project in Crete by providing support by connecting people with vouchers for therapy in this area to provide crisis counseling. 

• A survivor can call the Hotline and receive FREE vouchers
• Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Nebraska Rural Response Hotline 1-800-464-0258
• 24 Hours A Day/7Days A Week Nebraska Family Helpline 1-888-866-8660
• Nebraska Strong brochure

The above information is also available from the Community Assistance Office and director Nancy Tellez at City Hall.

City Hall - 243 East 13th Street
Crete NE 68333-0086
Phone: 402.826.6405

Released June 14:

CARES Act funding includes small business grants

The City of Crete - City Administrator’s office received information about an immediate grant opportunity made possible from Nebraska’s portion of the COVID-19 CARES Act funding.

The ‘Get Nebraska Growing’ grants program includes $230 million in Stabilization Grants for Small Businesses on a first-come, first-served basis. Local small businesses are encouraged to apply immediately. Find more information at the following link: https://getnebraskagrowing.nebraska.gov/nebraska-small-business-stabilization-grant/

The City of Crete Department of Public Works, in partnership with its wholesale electric power supplier, the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, is continuing to provide four energy efficiency programs to assist in lowering energy costs for local utility customers through energy efficiency improvements.

As the winter season approaches, one program with potential benefits to Crete residents provides a financial incentive for upgrading attic insulation to residential homes.

The Attic Insulation Program provides cash incentives of $0.15/per square foot with a maximum incentive of $300 per existing residential dwelling for attic insulation. Information regarding upgrading insulation in a residential home can be found at the U.S. Department of Energy’s website: www.energy.gov.

All four programs offer cash incentives to make energy efficient upgrades in the areas of insulation, cooling systems, home thermostats and commercial lighting. The programs are available through March 31, 2021 or while program funds last. Here is a rundown of the four programs:

• Smart Thermostat Program: Provides a cash incentive of up to $100 paid directly to residential customers to help cover the cost of installing a qualifying smart thermostat. 
• Attic Insulation Program: Provides cash incentives of $0.15 / per square foot with a maximum incentive of $300 per existing residential dwelling for attic insulation. 
• Cooling System Tune-Up Program: Provides a $30 cash incentive to residential homeowners who have their cooling system tuned up by a HVAC contractor, regardless of what type or age of cooling system (air conditioner/air or water source heat pump).
• Commercial LED Lighting Program: Provides cash incentives paid directly to commercial customers to help cover the cost of interior lighting upgrades and replacements.

These programs are available to customers of the City of Crete through its wholesale power partnership with the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska. For more information on these programs, contact the Utility Office at City Hall, 402.826.4312, or go to www.nmppenergy.org/mean to download program guidelines and application forms.

The City of Crete will begin selling all of its surplus equipment, vehicles, and miscellaneous items through online auctions on a site called Public Surplus. Auctions will be on a rolling basis as items become available. The first items were listed today (Wednesday, Oct. 21).

Anyone wishing to bid on surplus items must register as a buyer on the Public Surplus site with necessary information and confirmation of account. Visit www.publicsurplus.com and search for items by area and zip code; photos will be included with listings if available.

Auction items will be listed for online bids for one week only. Payments are handled  through the Public Surplus site and will be by wire transfer or credit card only.

All sales are final and successful bidders are responsible for removal or pick-up of items from city premises within 10 business days after notified of the winning bid. Successful bidders are also responsible for packing, loading and/or transporting of any items, if necessary. Pick-up hours will be by appointment only during regular business hours and items will be released pending proper buyer identification and receipt of payment.

Additional payment and tax information, as well as details on contacting the city for viewing items by appointment and item pickup is available on the Public Surplus site. 

Other questions regarding the city’s surplus items should be directed to the Finance Director’s Office at City Hall, 402.826.4313 or 402.826.4312. Information and a link to the Public Surplus auction items is on the city website (www.crete.ne.gov) under the City Government tab or Quicklinks; or visit www.publicsurplus.com

View the City of Crete's current online auction items.