Marshall City Council approves tax abatements, right‑of‑way vacation, special assessments and preliminary levy

The Marshall City Council met in regular session and approved multiple routine and policy items, including two tax abatements, a right‑of‑way vacation, special assessments for unpaid services and a preliminary property tax levy for 2026.

Council approved a four‑year, scaled tax abatement for Lockwood Motors’ expansion at 1310 East College Drive and a four‑year, scaled abatement for Bendryte’s 80x80 building addition at 1106 West Main Street. Both abatements were presented in public hearings by Economic Development Director Lauren Deitz, who said Lockwood’s project will add a new Chevrolet showroom, a service drive and 6–8 service technicians and estimated the Lockwood project valuation at about $3,200,000. Deitz said Bendryte’s expansion—driven by a new laser that will increase cutting capacity—was a roughly $600,000 project and is expected to create at least one new operator position. Council motions to adopt the resolutions passed after the public hearings.

The council also adopted a resolution vacating a portion of unused right of way on Paul Street (between Lots 4 and 5, Country Club Addition). City Engineer/Director of Public Works Jason Anderson said staff commissioned a survey at the petitioner’s expense, found no planned future road use and recommended vacating the right of way while retaining an easement for an existing storm sewer.

In a public hearing on special assessments for unpaid city services (mowing, nuisance removal and fire calls), City Clerk Steven Anderson reported one property on North Sixth Street had paid and should be removed from certification. The council adopted the resolution accepting the special assessments as presented with that removal noted.

The council approved the consent agenda, which included personnel‑policy reimbursement updates, a raffle permit for Ducks Unlimited, a temporary liquor license for the SMSU Foundation, a grant agreement with the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council for a public art project, adoption of ordinances affecting several zoning districts and approval of bills and project payments.

On policy and budget matters, the council adopted a voluntary furlough pilot policy (effective through Dec. 31, 2026) for nonunion full‑time employees, after a presentation by Human Resources Director Sheila Dubs. The policy allows employees to request unpaid time off from as little as one hour up to 80 hours in a calendar year, subject to supervisor approval and limits intended to prevent creation of overtime. The council also approved the city’s property casualty insurance renewal and adopted a preliminary 2026 property tax levy of $10,610,168 (a 7.5% increase) and set a Truth‑in‑Taxation hearing for Dec. 9.

Council confirmed several appointments to boards and commissions, including one new appointment to the Adult Community Center Commission, a reappointment to the Airport Commission and an appointment to a partial term on the Community Services Advisory Commission.

Votes recorded in the meeting minutes were recorded by motion and voice vote and in most instances the official tally was not read into the transcript. Where a specific mover or seconder was stated during the meeting, that person is listed below; where the transcript does not identify the mover or the roll call tally, those fields are left as not specified.

Ending: The meeting adjourned after receiving staff reports on construction projects, commission vacancies and other routine items.