Herington commissioners approve licensing amendment, GAAP waiver and five-year Union Pacific wastewater agreement; appoint mayor and vice mayor

The Herington City Commission on Jan. 7 approved several routine but administratively important measures, including an amendment to the city—s licensing and fees ordinance, a resolution waiving certain GAAP accounting requirements for budget purposes and a five-year wastewater discharge agreement with Union Pacific.

City leaders said the licensing-and-fees change revises section 4-1311 to distinguish utility contractors from other city contractors; the commission approved the amendment on first reading and authorized the mayor—s signature. City staff described the GAAP waiver as a routine, auditors-required housekeeping resolution that permits the city to prepare its budget on a cash basis under state guidance. The wastewater discharge agreement updates effective dates and fixes an averaging method for rates covering Feb. 1, 2025, through Jan. 31, 2030.

The commission also completed routine organizational votes. The body unanimously appointed its leadership for 2025: Commissioners voted to recommend and confirm Eric (last name not…