Preston Adopts Comprehensive Plan

At the December 15 meeting of the Preston City Council, a resolution was adopted approving the new comprehensive plan.

Emily Herold, assistant planner at MSA Professional Services, gave a brief overview of the plan. On November 17 a public hearing was held during a Planning & Zoning Commission meeting. The commission recommended final adoption of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan by the city council. The plan is a guide for development and growth over the next 20 years.

The plan was developed with public input; it lays out a vision, goals and strategies. It is a policy guide for future years. The plan breaks down goals and strategies and includes a land use map.

Mayor Kurt Reicks brought up the survey results and the summary of the survey results that were to be  included with the plan. Councilman Dean Aug noted that a lot of what has happened since the adoption of the last plan was not in the last plan. Councilman Jon Woods said the key word is “guiding.” The plan provides a guide and is not set in stone. Reicks agreed.

Councilman Charles Sparks said he felt the summary of the survey was better than the individual statements. There was agreement on that point. With the adoption of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan was a statement to include survey summaries, not individual comments. 

Other Business in Brief

• The EDA revolving loan interest rate for 2026 was set at .5 of Prime with a minimum interest rate of 2%, which is unchanged from 2025.
• Ambulance Director Debra Ristau recommended ambulance billing rates for 2026. Advanced life support was set at $1,500, basic service at $1,100, transport with no treatment at $300, and patient loaded mileage at $23. These increases in the rates were approved as recommended and are the first rate change since 2022.
• The purchase agreement with Amy and Dwight Luhmann for excess Crown Hill property was amended to extend the closing date from December 2025 to March 31, 2026. This extension is due to a delay in the preparation of a survey for the lot split and legal description.
• A Microsoft quote from CDW was approved for essential software solutions that the city relies on. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton said the purchase of the software licenses have been made directly from Microsoft the last two years, paid for on a monthly basis. However, CDW is good to work with and the annual subscription quote is less than making the purchase directly from Microsoft (savings of around $4,100).
• Alexandria Romano was hired as a volunteer EMT.
• The squad car damaged in the deer collision was a total loss. The city has moved forward with the planned purchase of a 2026 Durango as discussed at the December 1 city council meeting.