BELLEVUE, Neb. – The Bellevue City Council stopped short of passing a mask mandate on Tuesday, passing a resolution instead. The resolution encourages mask-wearing, but does not include language about enforcement.

Mayor Rusty Hike said it was important to get the conversation started about citizens wearing masks, but had concerns about enforcing any such act. He said he did not want to use police resources for the issue.

Hike said conversations with the local health board could still happen, keeping the possibility of a mandate on the table.

The resolution passed 5-1.