By Zech Sindt
The Ostrander City Council convened for its regular meeting on March 4 at 6:30 p.m., with all council members present except for Dan Hellerud. Mayor Stephanie Start presided over the session, joined by Council Members DJ Start, Jimmie Dean, and Lyn Massey-Mills. City Clerk Wendy Brincks was also in attendance.
The meeting opened with the presentation of the annual audit, conducted by Riley Knutson of Smith Schafer. Knutson provided a comprehensive review of the city’s financial health, highlighting that the most significant individual expenditure in 2024 was the purchase of a new truck and plow to support the city’s maintenance operations. Despite this large investment, the general fund’s cash balance was reported at a healthy 146% of annual general fund expenditures, excluding capital outlay. However, the balance did experience a decrease of $76,266 over the past year, settling at $335,383 by the end of December.
Knutson assured the council that debt payments are being managed in a timely manner, with debt service funds maintaining adequate reserves to meet obligations. The water and sewer funds also presented a positive outlook, generating sufficient cash flow to cover debts while simultaneously building cash reserves. The sewer fund held a cash balance of $285,649 as of December 31, 2024, while the water fund stood at $504,597. Knutson emphasized that these figures reflect prudent financial management and a solid foundation for future projects.
The audit also highlighted the completion of an infrastructure project that had been ongoing since 2016. In 2024, infrastructure revenues matched disbursements, both totaling $111,794. A final transfer of $58,577 from the general fund marked the closure of the infrastructure project fund. With this transfer, the fund, which had been specifically created to manage costs associated with the project, was officially closed out. After a brief discussion, the council passed a motion to approve the audit unanimously, expressing satisfaction with the city’s financial standing and Knutson’s report.
In other business, the council heard from Doc Shipton of Fins & Films, a non-profit organization active in the Spring Valley area. Fins & Films has become known for its annual grass-top drag racing event, which has drawn crowds and enthusiasm in past years. Shipton requested permission to return for a third consecutive year, proposing July 12 as the date for the event. After some discussion about logistics and community impact, the council approved the request.
The council also considered a request from a local resident seeking to introduce a chicken ordinance in Ostrander. The resident explained that he wished to involve his children in 4H activities, which would require keeping chickens and possibly other fowl such as ducks within city limits. Council members responded positively to the idea but suggested that the resident join the zoning board to help draft the ordinance. This collaborative approach would allow the community to weigh in on regulations regarding the care and housing of such animals, setting a precedent for how similar requests might be handled in the future.
City maintenance projects were also discussed. A plan to construct new flower boxes received approval, with the city allocating a $500 budget for materials. The plan calls for a total of 10 boxes: five for city streets, three for the park, and two for the welcome sign at the city’s entrance.
In a brief update on emergency services, the council reported that there were no fire calls during the previous month. Additionally, no report was available from the sheriff’s department for this meeting.
A significant development in city services was the approval of a motion to implement a new payment system for utility bills. Residents will soon have the option to pay their bills online, over the phone, or in person using credit or debit cards. The city will partner with AllPaid to provide this service at no cost to the city, as all associated fees will be covered by customers. The credit card machine, which will be made available at city hall, will also be provided free of charge. Council members expressed optimism that these new payment options would make it more convenient for residents to manage their utility accounts, especially for those who prefer electronic payment methods.
Looking ahead, the council announced that a Fire Relief meeting will take place on March 10 at 7 p.m., providing an opportunity to discuss funding and support for the local fire department. Additionally, a city workshop is scheduled for March 18 to address updates to Ostrander’s Hazard Mitigation Plan and policy reviews.
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