A major highlight of the meeting was the decision to redirect funds for a $10 million grant aimed at rerouting two creeks south of the town to mitigate flooding issues. The county will lead the initiative, which requires a $30,000 study. The city had initially spearheaded the project, but a collaborative approach with the county was deemed more viable. One council member emphasized the importance of collaboration: “The whole plan is to get the small group of us moving in the right direction to try to find a solution.” The council’s approval to redirect funds initially allocated for the city’s own study to this new venture marked a step toward addressing the town’s flood management challenges.

In another key decision, the council approved the purchase of a new lawn mower to replace the city’s 20-year-old equipment, which had ceased functioning. A bid from Kibble Equipment was accepted at $33,750, including necessary attachments. The old mower, considered for trade-in since 2018, fetched a potential value of $1,500. The mayor expressed confidence in the budget’s ability to accommodate this expense, prompting a unanimous vote in favor of the purchase.

Budget discussions were prominent throughout the meeting. The city’s financials for June showed revenues of $421,000 against expenses of $381,000, resulting in a $39,000 surplus. However, a concern was noted about being approximately $20,000 in the red, although optimism was expressed for improved figures in July. Capital requests for street maintenance, including $20,000 each for seal coating and street overlays, highlighted the need for strategic financial planning. The council wrestled with preliminary budget figures, initially set at 19 from a previous 27, with insurance rates yet to be determined.

The appointment of Heather as the acting administrator was confirmed following a departure announcement. Heather’s expanded responsibilities include managing payroll and overseeing planning and zoning meetings. A $5 per hour pay increase was approved to compensate for her additional duties. Matt was appointed as a third check signer to manage financial responsibilities due to Heather’s new role.

The council also appointed Tenise, the chief of police, as the new emergency management director in anticipation of a vacancy. This interim role will remain until a permanent replacement is found.

Infrastructure maintenance and development were recurring themes. Concerns about stormwater management and the condition of storm sewer lines were addressed, with a phased cleaning approach proposed to meet long-term maintenance needs. The necessity of inspecting and maintaining the city’s sewer system was underscored, with suggestions for a systematic inspection plan to identify illegal connections.

The council approved a reimbursement grant, known as the Ladybug grant, providing $1,500 for a business awning project. This “no questions asked” funding opportunity was accepted unanimously.

The Economic Development Authority (EDA) presented plans for new signage to promote free lots available for development. Costing approximately $2,000, the signage aims to attract potential homeowners. Visibility concerns were raised, particularly when approaching from the west side of town, with assurances given that the signs would be easily visible to drivers.

Financial matters included the review of check registers and financial statements. The July financials were approved, with routine expenses noted without discrepancies. A pay estimate of $300,286.54 for the 2025 street and utility project was also swiftly approved.

The meeting touched on ambulance revenue, with expectations of collecting about $150,000, aligning with historical figures. Previous issues with a billing company delayed collections, but improvements followed a switch to EMSMC in April. Vehicle maintenance, particularly for pickups, was identified as an urgent need, alongside funding for mobile and squad radios for the police department.

In the administrator’s report, ongoing projects were highlighted, including the street improvement project and the transition of building inspector services. Updates on grant registrations and a Smith grant application for accessibility trails at Legion Field were noted, with employee recognition acknowledging a four-year anniversary and a forthcoming birthday.