At the first city council meeting in 2026 held on January 5, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton explained critical planning for the building/renovation of the current wastewater facility continues.
Throckmorton asked for the creation of a committee. Members of the committee will include one utility commission member, Throckmorton, Jim Bakken, a wastewater operator, and one or two council members. Councilmen Steve Hall and Dean Aug volunteered to serve on the committee. A resolution was adopted creating the committee and approving the appointment of the two city council members.
Mayor Kurt Reicks
Announcement
Reicks said he will not be running for reelection as the city’s mayor this November.
Other Business in Brief
- The fire department’s 2006 Chevrolet Silverado diesel 3500 grass rig was first posted for sale to other government entities. With no inquiries the vehicle was put up for sale through a sealed bid process. There were 17 bids; the high bid was submitted by Geoffrey Griffin in the amount of $30,555. The high bid was accepted as submitted.
- A list of 2026 appointments to the city’s boards, commissions, and other appointed positions was approved. It includes three changed meeting dates for 2026. There are six board seat vacancies that could be filled by volunteers from the community (two on Tourism Board, one on the Planning Commission, one on the Park Board, and two on the Library Board).
- The city’s fee schedule and possible changes were reviewed. As the fee schedule is adopted by ordinance, the city council called for a public hearing to be held in February on proposed amendments. Some amendments include the addition of a consumption and display permit, increases in the man hour rate for equipment, the inclusion of utility fees and a fire rate change.
- Resolutions were adopted authorizing signatures for the city on F & M Community Bank checks and for Merchants Bank Visa Card account changes in 2026.
- Throckmorton reported that $25,000 is budgeted in the Capital Improvement Plan for city hall improvements. The number one priority for 2026 is the replacement/improvement of three doors (the main entrance door, rear exit door and library rear exit door). Of a lesser priority is both the replacement of carpet in the city offices and improvement of the west wall of city hall. By consensus the council directed the administrator to begin to obtain quotes for the doors.
- A list of donations to the city received in 2025 was presented. A resolution accepting the donations was approved.
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