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Nebraska NRD Board: Lower Platte South, Dist 2 - 2 yr term

4-year term, $0The NRD Board of Directors decides how much is collected from your property tax bill for the NRD and uses that money for projects such as building dams, drainage ditches, flood control, and recreation trails. NRDs are also responsible for preserving and protecting groundwater and other natural resources for future generations.

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  • Candidate picture

    David Hibler
    (NON)

  • Candidate picture

    Mark Patton
    (NON)

  • Candidate picture

    Ryan Runge
    (NON)

Biographical Information

What do you see as the core responsibilities of an NRD board member, and how will you approach decision‑making on behalf of the district?

What principles should guide the NRD’s decisions on maintaining, upgrading, or building new flood‑control and watershed projects?

How should the district balance agricultural water needs with long‑term aquifer sustainability?

Education IBEW Apprenticeship
Current Public Office, dates Director LPSNRD 11/25 to present
Military experience None
Volunteer experience BSA leader, Teammates
Other Social Media Instagram @DAVIDHIBLERFORNRD
Clean safe water soil & nature conservation, flood protection and recreation are core goals. I want to use my vote and subcommittee position to support and introduce policies that keep our ground water safe and our trails and preserves maintained and user friendly. I also would like to present some of the partnerships that the NRD offers in soil conservation and tree planting.
We need to look at cost effective flood control that also preserves habitat.
If we don’t have a balance with water use both farmers and cities will have a shortage of water in the long run.
Education US Naval Academy (Bachelors); Masters Degree in System Engineering
Current Public Office, dates None
Past Public Office, dates held None
Military experience US Navy Submariner - Retired rank of Captain
Volunteer experience Chairman March of Dimes; Board of National Space Club (Florida): Knights of Columbus
Water, soil, and responsible land management are the foundation of community and agriculture in our district. An NRD director’s first responsibility is to represent the people of their subdistrict while ensuring these resources are managed wisely. That means supporting agricultural producers, rural communities, and towns that depend on reliable water and healthy land. Directors must also exercise strong fiscal stewardship since NRDs levy property taxes and manage major infrastructure and conservation projects. I bring leadership and program management experience from the U.S. Navy and my work supporting federal agencies. Experience matters when making decisions that affect our natural resources and taxpayer dollars.
Flood‑control and watershed projects protect homes, farms, roads, and district infrastructure. NRD directors must prioritize maintaining and improving existing systems before expanding projects that primarily support new development. Decisions should be based on real watershed needs, including drainage and erosion challenges across working farmland and rural communities, developed in cooperation with landowners and producers. Fiscal responsibility is essential since NRDs levy property taxes and manage these programs. Projects that primarily benefit new development should include fair cost sharing. My approach is guided by leadership experience managing large public projects in the U.S. Navy and supporting federal agencies.
Sustainable groundwater management must support both agriculture and the rural communities that depend on reliable water supplies. In Subdistrict 2, our communities face water quantity and quality challenges, including limited groundwater and elevated nitrates. NRD directors must focus not only on monitoring and regulation, but on real solutions—supporting conservation, improving water management, and developing regional water systems that help communities maintain reliable supplies. I have supported this approach through the citizen coalition Cass County, Our Water, Our Future, advocating for groundwater equity and long‑term planning. Experience matters when making decisions about our water resources and the future of our communities.
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