Several department heads looked back at 2024 at the Preston City Council’s February 3 meeting. Councilman Steve Hall was absent.
Police Chief Blaise Sass reported that Public Safety Funds paid for equipment purchases made in 2024. He anticipates the purchase of a squad pickup in 2025. There is about $69,000 in the equipment fund at this time.
Sass introduced Connor Simon, who is the city’s new full-time police officer. He was appointed in October 2024. There are now three full-time officers serving Preston, Lanesboro, and Fountain. The department is continuing its search for part-time officers. There was an increased number of calls in 2024.
Samantha Buley reported on the many activities at the public library in 2024. Checkouts were up from 2023 (23,000). During the year the library hosted 76 programs and events, many for children and teens. Community outreach programs were conducted once a month.
Many upgrades were made to the building in 2024 including tuckpointing, resurfacing of front steps, landscaping, and the pressure washing of the canopy.
A $9,000 grant from the Community Foundation is being used for the Story Walk project. Grants were also received from SELCO and the American Heart Association, which was used for portable blood pressure machines and finger pulse oximeters. Among the goals for 2025 is the installation of the Story Walk at Preston city park. Donations are being made for the beginning of a seed library.
Fire Chief Ramon Hernandez reported the department has 23 members and it serves Amherst, Carimona, Carrolton, Fountain, Forestville, and Preston Townships. Members come from a variety of occupations. In 2024 there were 32 calls, and 30 controlled grass burns. Service in-training and calls combined contributed to 1,773 volunteer hours in 2024. Members train at least once per month. Hernandez said the department is committed to our community and hosts fundraisers and events.
Goals for 2025 include the safety of the team, hands-on training and radio training, the order of a new grass rig, and the final updating of processes and procedures. Members need to be knowledgeable in plumbing, electrical, building construction, carbon monoxide, and fire investigation. Hernandez said they are always looking for additional firefighter volunteers.
Mandy Huston, tourism, detailed marketing efforts which include the visitor guide, print ads, and outdoor billboards. The visitor’s center is open May to October and had 1,326 visitors in 2024, which was down from 2023. The revenue from the lodging tax in 2024 was about $23,500.
Several events in 2024 included Trout Days, Rhythm By the River, the county fair, 60-mile garage sale, business trick or treat, holiday lighting contest, and the first annual Mistletoe Market which was a success.
Thirty-eight bikes were checked out in 2024 (57 in 2023) in the bike share program.
City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton gave the EDA report for 2024. A business survey was conducted. Businesses were added; they include a car wash, coffee shop, restaurants/taphouse, and a thrift/antique store. There were additional residential rentals and ADA accessible entrances were constructed in front of some businesses.
The EDA coordinated with the Chamber of Commerce for community meetings.
The housing incentive was restructured, and it includes a builder incentive and a homeowner incentive. Blue Jay Ridge has the fourth home being constructed and two additional lots sold. A development agreement was signed at the Golfview Doherty Addition and one single family home building permit has been approved.
Other Business in Brief
•Fire department write-offs in the amount of $1,750 were approved for calls made in 2023. Debts are not forgiven, but there is an accounting acknowledgement that the city is not likely to collect.
•The 2024 ambulance write-offs ($198,637.11) and 2023 write-offs ($39,011.84) demonstrate the funding gap between billable rates and what insurance is willing to reimburse.
The 2023 accounts receivable balance write-offs in the amount of $67,074.47 are largely uncollected accounts. These debts are not forgiven but are not likely to be collected.
Each of the write-offs were approved as presented.
•Ashley Winslow was appointed to the EDA Board as recommended by the EDA.
•Appointments of fire department officers for 2025 were approved: Chief Ramon Hernandez, Assistant Chief Leigh Larson, Second Assistant Chief Erik Topness, Secretary Nate Mandelko, Treasurer Dustin Arndt, and training officers Chad Musel and Adam Amy.
•Police Department Policy for Public Assembly and First Amendment Activity was approved.
•A Request for Proposals to develop an updated Comprehensive Plan for the city was approved. The RFPs are to be submitted by March 13. The project is expected to begin in May and take up to nine months. Throckmorton said the EDA has agreed to pay half of the cost up to $17,500. He added they are still looking into grant possibilities to help pay for the project.
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