Yankton commission approves salaries, ordinances and equipment purchases; routine measures pass
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Summary
On Feb. 10 the commission adopted two ordinances, approved salary adjustments for three top city employees, and approved several equipment purchases and construction change orders; routine items and consent agenda passed by roll call.
The Yankton City Commission on Feb. 10 approved a series of routine and substantive items: second readings and adoption of Ordinance 10-94 and Ordinance 10-95, salary adjustments for the city manager, finance officer and city attorney (effective Jan. 1, 2025), multiple parks and public works equipment purchases, and several construction change orders and authorizations.
Commissioners handled routine business early in the meeting (approval of minutes and paying the bills) and then moved through the consent agenda before considering old and new business. The two ordinances listed for second reading were adopted by roll call. The commission also approved retroactive salary adjustments for the three direct-report positions after describing the evaluation process used to reach recommended increases.
Key approvals included: - Adoption of Ordinance 10-94 (amending the 2025 annual appropriations ordinance) and Ordinance 10-95 (second reading and adoption; details in ordinance text). Both were adopted by roll call during the old-business portion of the agenda. - Salary adjustments effective Jan. 1, 2025 for City Manager Amy Leon (12% increase reported, moving her pay marginally above one peer city), Finance Officer Lisa (increase to $121,107), and City Attorney Ross (salary increase; amount specified in resolution). Commissioners noted the evaluation process: each of the three employees submitted a self-evaluation, received anonymous written feedback compiled from the nine commissioners, and then met with the mayor and at least one commissioner before the commission determined salary adjustments. - Parks and public-works equipment purchases included a Kubota tractor (net $33,500 trade-in; Resolution 2053), a Land Pride all-purpose cedar ($8,573.25), a Bobcat S-660 skid steer (net $33,554.97 with trade-in), and award of a 2024 model Ottawa T24 2-yard tractor to Tractor Center Companies of Norfolk, Neb., for $143,348 for the Department of Public Works, Joint Powers Division. - A special (one-day) on-sale malt beverage retailer license for Aug. 16, 2025 for the Yankton Rodeo Association at the Rodeo Grounds was approved. - Construction change orders were approved: Gale Drive and sanitary trunk sewer improvements, Change Order No. 2 ($25,563.35), and Cedar Street construction, Change Order No. 1 ($35,546.90). The commission also approved Resolution 2057 to authorize the state to issue a work order to Banner Associates Inc. for inspection of city-owned bridges.
All measures listed above passed by roll call in open session. The full agenda contained additional routine items (consent calendar adjustments, holiday/schedule notices, public introductions and personnel recognitions) that were also resolved during the meeting.
Votes at a glance (selected items): - Approve minutes (01/27/2025): adopted (motion passed by voice/roll call). - Pay the bills: adopted (motion passed by roll call). - Ordinance 10-94 (second reading & adoption — 2025 annual appropriations ordinance): adopted (roll call; ayes recorded). - Ordinance 10-95 (second reading & adoption): adopted (roll call; ayes recorded). - Resolution 25.04 (City Manager salary adjustment, effective 01/01/2025): adopted (roll call; motion carried). - Resolution 25.05 (Finance Officer salary 121,107): adopted (roll call; motion carried). - Resolution 25.06 (City Attorney salary increase): adopted (roll call; motion carried). - Equipment purchases (Kubota tractor, Land Pride cedar, Bobcat skid steer, Ottawa T24 tractor award): approved (roll calls recorded; amounts as listed above). - Special one-day malt-beverage license (Yankton Rodeo Association, Aug. 16, 2025): approved (roll call). - Change orders (Gale Drive sanitary trunk sewer $25,563.35; Cedar Street $35,546.90): approved (roll calls). - Resolution 2057 (authorize bridge inspection work order to Banner Associates): approved (roll call).
Why it matters: These votes authorize budgeted purchases, maintenance and personnel decisions that affect day-to-day city services and the 2025 budget. The salary adjustments are retroactive to Jan. 1 and reflect the commission's evaluation of three employees who report directly to the body. Construction change orders and equipment purchases fund routine public-works and parks operations.
For full roll-call details and the official minutes, see the city clerk’s published packet and minutes for Feb. 10, 2025.