Kimball swears in new mayor as panhandle town prepares for record growth

KIMBALL Neb.- The largest order of business at Tuesday's Kimball City Council meeting was to swear-in the new mayor in front of a packed Kimball City Administration Building.
John Morrison now holds the reins of the soon to be growing city. He replace Keith Prunty who was honored and thanked by city council President Creg Pike, before he wished Morrison well and took his leave.
Mayor Morrison has a full plate as he enters the job. A growing recycling operation that could bring 400 or more jobs to Kimball is top of mind for the mayor.
"My first priority will be getting organized so we can start looking at how we are going to develop housing for the new expansion from Clean Harbors," Morrison told News Channel Nebraska.

Many have been talking about the missile silo renovation project that could bring Air Force and contractor jobs to Kimball, potentially by the thousands. Morrison says he could know as early as next month how the Air Force plans to move forward.
"We have some time to get ready for that, but just as soon as the Air Force comes and commits to us, we'll be on board," Morrison said.
The third major component that could add to the cities population and revenue is a rumored race track and casino on the southeast corner of town. Morrison remains supportive of the idea, but that may not be enough.
"I'm still in favor of trying to get a racetrack here, but I'm not very optimistic," Morrison said.
With growth at the top of mind, but so many factors still up in the air, the mayor to predicted how the current population of roughly 2,800 would change by 2025. He believes 3,700 residents will call Kimball home by then, but says that's just a guess.