Dell Rapids council approves wage increases, accepts state water/sewer funding, and OKs parks and library items

Dell Rapids City Council on April 21 approved a package of personnel, infrastructure and parks/library actions that officials said will preserve the city’s ability to bid and to staff critical services.

City Administrator Steve told the council the votes would only accept funding offers and would not immediately obligate the city to long-term debt: “we are not entering into $68,000,000 worth of debt. If you approve this, all we're doing is approving access to it,” he said.

Why it matters: The measures affect near-term operating costs and long-term capital plans. The wage changes are intended to address difficulties recruiting and retain public works employees. The council also accepted state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) loan and grant offers that would fund parts of two water and sewer projects; staff said accepting the awards preserves the city’s place in the funding queue while designs and bids proceed.

Wages and personnel - The council approved increasing the public works starting wage from $22.00 to $25.00 per hour and raising Public Works employee Brandon Garrett from $22.48 to $26.00 per hour, effective April 21. (Motion: Cavatelli; Second: Chad; outcome: approved by voice vote.) The council and staff said the change is intended to avoid new hires starting at higher pay than existing employees. - The council separately approved increasing four existing hourly public works employees (named in materials as Greg, Chris, Bob…