VALENTINE, Neb. - Niobrara Council members spent five hours Thursday debating how to keep the nonprofit running, with a big chunk of critical funding potentially on the line. The council, which helps manage the Niobrara National Scenic River, is facing uncertainty after the National Park Service delayed its funding following concerns raised by the state auditor about mishandling funds.

Typically, the Park Service provides $100,000 a year through a cooperative agreement. However, the last $20,000 from last year wasn’t paid, and this year’s $100,000 is up in the air while the Park Service looks into the issues.

“The stuff we’re talking about are decisions we don’t ever want to make,” said Scott Wessel with Nebraska Game & Parks Commission.

The council debated cutting services like education programs, weed control, and vault toilet maintenance but took no immediate action. Instead, they agreed to shift the funding for the education program director’s salary from only federal dollars to what’s available in the council’s account.

“I think the education component is front and center. I think it’s important,” said Council Member Mary Mercure.

“I don’t think we’re fixing the problems by taking money out of other accounts for a job that’s supposed to be paid for through federal funding. If we have to amend her contract to do this, I don’t think it’s the right way to go,” said Cherry County Commissioner Nina Nelson.

“If we come back to the cooperative agreement with the Park Service, and we don’t have an education position, they won’t give us money for it. I think we carry the position as long as we can,” said Keya Paha County Commissioner Mike Tuerk.

The council also voted to reach out to the congressional delegation about the council’s current financial status and ask for support, along with start working on a new cooperative agreement for financial assistance from the Park Service.

The group also discussed pursuing revenue sources outside of state and federal government.

“Other groups like this are going out and getting funding outside of the federal government,” said Niobrara National Scenic River Superintendent Susan Cook.

“This has been a problem since I started—we’re completely reliant on two sources of funding, and timing isn’t always great. We need something else in addition to the Park Service,” said Wessel.