In a recent government meeting, the council approved a significant contract adjustment for the Water Reclamation Facility's tertiary treatment project, which will add $74,000 for additional heat trace installations. This adjustment is necessary to protect equipment from freezing and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The funding for this change will come from the existing project contingency, which was allocated during the initial contract award in 2020.

The council also discussed the complexities surrounding alcoholic beverage licensing fees. A council member raised concerns about the clarity of how these fees are allocated, particularly regarding their contribution to law enforcement costs versus administrative expenses. The city currently collects around $40,000 annually from these fees, which support the police department's budget of over $10 million.

During the discussion, several council members expressed a desire to simplify the licensing process, which currently requires permits from the state, county, and city. Suggestions included lobbying for a unified application system to reduce redundancy and potentially lower costs for local businesses. While some council members advocated for reducing the licensing fees to better support small businesses, others cautioned against making cuts that could impact the city’s budget sustainability.

Ultimately, the council voted to maintain the current fees for the upcoming year while continuing discussions on potential reforms at the state level. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further evaluate the licensing process and its implications for local businesses, as well as to monitor the progress of the water reclamation project.