Certified Local Government
Nebraska State Historical Society

The Certified Local Government Program offers recognition to local governments that through their own initiative have established local historic preservation programs. One of the goals of the program is to link local governments with the nationwide preservation network made up of a variety of federal, state and local organizations. All Certified Local Governments are eligible for grants to assist in the implementation of local preservation programs. These grants can be used to finance a variety of preservation related activities including education programs, publications, staff support, workshops and preservation events. The certification would need the full participation of city government.

To qualify as a Certified Local Government (CLG), a municipality or county must:

  1. Establish a historic preservation ordinance that includes protection for historic properties at a level the community decides is appropriate
  2. Create a preservation commission to oversee the preservation ordinance and the Certified Local Government program
  3. Provide for public education and participation, including progress of nominating properties to the National Register of Historic Places
  4. Conduct and maintain a survey and inventory of historic properties

 

There are a number of advantages to achieving Certified Local Government status:

  1. A Certified Local Government is eligible to receive matching funds from the Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office that are unavailable to non-Certified Local Governments
  2. Contributing buildings within local landmark districts may be eligible for preservation tax incentives without being listed on the National Register of Historic Places
  3. Certified Local Governments have an additional tool when considering planning, zoning and land use issues through their landmarking and survey programs
  4. Certified Local Governments have the ability to monitor and preserve structures that reflect the community's heritage
  5. Certified Local Governments have access to a nationwide information network of local, state, federal and private preservation institutions
  6. Finally, but not least, a Certified Local Government, through its ordinance and commission, has a built-in mechanism to promote pride in and understanding of a community's history

There are certain requirements that must be met by the local government to become certified. A Certified Local Government (CLG) does not need to apply for a grant each year in order to keep its CLG status. It does need to fulfill the following requirements in order to maintain its status and continue to be eligible for grants in subsequent years.

1) Preservation Ordinance
The local government must enact and enforce local legislation for the designation and protection of historic properties. Most cities and towns in Nebraska can find sufficient authority to enact a historic preservation ordinance under provisions of Neb. Rev. Stat., Section 19-903 (Reissue 1977). The drafting and adoption of an historic preservation ordinance must be made by the governing body of the local government in consultation with its own legal counsel.

2) Historic Preservation Commission
A CLG must maintain a historic preservation commission established by the preservation ordinance. The commission must have at least five members appointed by the chief elected official of the jurisdiction. Commission members must have a demonstrated interest, competence or knowledge in historic preservation. Terms of office for commission members must be at least two years. Commissions must meet at regular intervals at least 4 times each year. All meetings must be publicly announced, open to the public and have a previously advertised agenda. Minutes of each meeting must be kept and submitted to the Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office (NeSHPO) within 30 days of the meeting.

3) Public Participation/Public Education
The CLG must provide for public participation in the local historic preservation program. The primary purpose of a CLG is to educate the local citizens about historic preservation. Each CLG must sponsor at least one historic preservation workshop for the general public and complete an annual public education program.

4) Survey
CLGs are required to maintain an inventory of historic properties. Most Nebraska communities have been surveyed as part of the Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey (NeHBS), but these surveys need to be updated periodically. The CLG should be aware of the status of its historic sites survey and make it a priority to keep the survey updated and accessible to the public.

5) Staff
CLGs must employ or have access to a minimum of one professional staff position to carry out the duties and requirements delegated to the local government and to provide technical and advisory services to the commission and others.

 

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