City Council met in special session on July 7, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Jared Andrews
Wyatt Perry
Amy Farris
Dylan Canaday
Gabriel Forsmann
Cody Edwards
City employees present: Public Works Director Mager, Chief Newman, Treasurer Rowland, City Administrator Kennedy, Library Director Gina Sobrero, Assistant Library Director Heidi Brown and Fire Chief Brian Perry.
LIBRARY
Library Director Gina Sobrero and Assistant Heidi Brown were present to review their budget proposals. The library aides moved across the salary schedule. They would like to update the bathrooms upstairs at $5,000. They also have a $5,000 grant for summer reading they have already received that they plan to use for summer reading in 2027.
Public Works Director Mager explain this budget year, the Council approved using aluminum ramps instead of concrete for the library. Mager bought the ramps in this budget, but now he needs to buy heating pads to keep snow and ice off the ramps. He added $12,000 for commercial grade mats and the necessary electrical work so they can be plugged in. These run off a thermostat so they come on or off depending on temperature.
FIRE
For the record, Council Perry disclosed he is the son of the fire chief and will proceed with caution. Councilor Andrews disclosed he is a volunteer with the fire department and the assistant fire chief. Councilor Forsmann disclosed he is a volunteer fireman.
Fire Chief Perry stated all the trucks are certified again and it will happen every other year. The trucks are getting older but they still do what is needed. In the next 5 years the department will considering upgrading but at this time there is not a benefit to upgrade. Structure pumpers are easier to find on public surplus because most people can’t use them as they need a fire hydrant to operate, while rural trucks are more expensive because people buy them to fight fires as a contractor or other personal uses.
He asked that the council revisit his request to have health insurance benefits. The chief position is getting busier every day and, in the future, the next chief most likely would need to be a private business owner because a lot of people can’t get off work to leave at any time.
Mayor Lester suggested possibly putting money from the Webb fund in the budget in case the chief finds a fire truck on public surplus. Perry felt the department was in pretty good shape for now and he wasn’t quite ready to move down that path.
POLICE
Chief Newman stated he tried to reduce various line items to help offset the deficit for the dispatch contract. Salaries went up; based upon the salary schedule, three officers moved across the schedule. On the training budget he cut it in half. Normally half the budget is spend on ammunition for training purposes. It was questioned if the training budget would be ok. Newman stated they will still continue to train the officers with continuing education hours. They’ve been sending the young officers to training to get them up to speed. The new budget will be tight and there will be no wiggle room in budget. Last year he lost his part-time and administrative staff budget. It was stated everyone knows live ammo training is the best but are there any alternatives without live ammo? The chief stated they do encourage dry fire skills; however shooting is something that needs to be done to stay skilled. In the current year, they spent $21,000.
ANIMAL CONTROL
Animal Rescue Foundation has requested $200/month instead of $100/month. The alternative if the city doesn’t go with ARF is that they’d need to go to a vet to be euthanized, which will be expensive. Council discussed raising boarding and impound fees.
GENERAL
City Administrator Kennedy reviewed the general fund. Council benefits added 3 single insurance instead of 2. The attorney budget was increased by $20,000 in case Jessup gets the magistrate position. $20,000 is still budgeted for nuisance property cleanup.
Kennedy reviewed the medical insurance fund and the 12.4% increase in medical premiums.
REVENUES
Kennedy reviewed the revenues for all funds.
BUDGET DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONS:
Border days buildings were discussed because the city insures them which costs about $3,900 based on property values. There is no charge for the lease on the property. Mager spends time trimming trees on the property along the creek and helps with drainage during the winter while Border Days maintains the buildings. After discussion, the city will review the lease and try to have them cover the cost of the insurance. The city pays the water bill at the rodeo grounds. The city leases out other land and doesn’t carry the insurance and do maintenance on the leased property.
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
