VALENTINE, Neb. - A new multi-million dollar office building for the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District in Valentine is moving forward after the board voted 5-2 to approve construction.

The planned facility would span about 11,000 square feet. While no price tag was included in the vote, a recent bid came in at roughly $3.7 million.

Several residents spoke against the project, calling it a want rather than a need and questioning why more conversations weren’t held in front of the public, instead of in closed sessions.

“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.

Board member Greg Wilke, who voted against the project, proposed putting $2 million in a conservation budget.

“It is a pro-NRD motion. This is demonstrating that we have a balance of projects and building,” Wilke said.

That motion failed on a 3-4 vote. MNNRD General Manager Mike Murphy also voiced concerns about earmarking funds for conservation without certain parameters.

“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.”

Murphy mentioned that the district could have expensive projects coming up, including figuring out a plan for the Mill Pond.