Beresford council approves financial report, audit engagement, capital pay request and several administrative items

The Beresford City Council approved several routine and capital items at the meeting, including financial and procurement actions.

Financials and audit: The council approved the January 2025 financial report as presented by the finance officer. Council also approved the 2024 audit engagement letter with ELO CPAs and Advisors; because recent sewer and pipelining projects include federal funding, the audit will include a federal single-audit component that raised the engagement by $4,000 above the previously approved amount. Staff said the federal threshold that triggers the single-audit requirement was reached because the city will receive more than $750,000 in federal assistance for projects this cycle.

Taxes and abatements: The council approved an abatement request for Lincoln County parcel 260.50.320.01 after staff identified the parcel had been taxed despite a prior sale and tax-exempt paperwork; the motion to file the abatement passed by voice vote.

Capital projects and pay requests: Council authorized advertising for bids to pave and stripe the ball-field parking lot (plans call for 101 spaces, including five accessible spaces; space dimensions and a May 31 preferred completion date were discussed). Officials said earlier budgeting for asphalt had been roughly $75,000 but recent estimates approach $150,000; the council authorized advertising for bids rather than awarding a contract.

The council approved a payment request for the new Parks & Golf Maintenance Building to Twight Construction, invoice 1954, in the amount of $155,799.31; the building is near substantial completion but some utilities (natural gas, water/sewer) and interior work remain.

Other administrative approvals: The council authorized advertising for seasonal employees (parks, pool, public works and an electric-department summer helper), approved a one-time complimentary use of the Bridges Event Center for the Chamber of Commerce mixer on March 21, 2025, and approved travel requests for Chief Sherk and Sergeant Bullis to attend the police chiefs and sheriffs annual conference in Deadwood April 14—'17. The council also voted to pay the bills presented.

Votes at a glance (summary of formal motions recorded at the meeting): - Adopt amended agenda: approved (voice vote). - Approve minutes from Feb. 3, 2025: approved (voice vote). - Approve January 2025 financial report: approved (voice vote). - Approve 2024 audit engagement letter with ELO CPAs and Advisors (including $4,000 federal audit addition): approved (voice vote). - Approve abatement request, Lincoln County Parcel 260.50.320.01: approved (voice vote). - Authorize advertising for ball-field parking lot paving, striping and signage: approved (voice vote). - Authorize payment request for Twight Construction, Invoice 1954, $155,799.31: approved (voice vote). - Authorize advertising for seasonal employees: approved (voice vote). - Authorize complimentary one-time use of the Bridges Event Center for Chamber mixer (03/21/2025): approved (voice vote). - Approve travel requests for Chief Sherk and Sergeant Bullis to Deadwood (April 14—'17): approved (voice vote). - Motion to pay the bills: approved (voice vote).

Clarifying details taken from the meeting record: the electric department purchased a Larson cable trailer for $46,845; Gil Haugen Construction was paid $49,331 for a golf-course patio addition; a $1,500 retainer was approved for Joel Johnson as code enforcer; SiteWorx was paid $81,873 for wastewater treatment facility work; the school paid $17,214 toward a girls softball scoreboard; earlier paving budget estimates had been $75,000 but updated estimates approach $150,000; the parks and golf maintenance building pay request was $155,799.31 (invoice 1954).