Winner council approves budget ordinance, awards multi‑year audit and OKs intergovernmental contracts

The Winner City Council on Dec. 16 approved a series of routine but consequential administrative measures, including passage of an end‑of‑year supplemental appropriation and the award of the city’s audit contract for 2024–2030.

At the start of new business, the council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 1088, the 2024 end‑of‑year supplemental appropriation, after a second‑reading motion from Councilman Skyler. The ordinance was described as having its numbers in the council packet and passed on roll call.

Finance Officer Harley Kenny presented three bids opened earlier for the city’s multi‑year audit: Imo Proof LLC (escalating fees beginning at $25,000 for 2024), Kettle Dorsenson (2024 bid $30,000 plus travel and out‑of‑pocket costs), and Shane Fish & Company (2024 bid $20,000 with yearly escalations). Kenny recommended awarding the contract to Shane Fish, and Councilman Clay moved to award the 2024–2030 audit contract to Shane Fish & Company and authorize the mayor to sign; the motion passed unanimously after council confirmed that bid specifications were met by all bidders.

Council also approved a package of interfund transfers to close out 2024 finances. The transfers approved by roll call were: $231,193 from Corrections to General Fund; $1,067,454 from Electric to General Fund; $107,482 from Sewer to General Fund; and $350,000 from Corrections to 911 Communications. Councilman Skyler made the motion and Councilman Clay seconded. The council record contains slightly inconsistent transcriptions of one transfer amount in a motion transcript line; the roll‑call motion as announced and voted was read into the record as the amounts above.

The council approved two 911 intergovernmental contracts. A motion to approve the 2024 (and into 2025) 911 contract with Bennett County passed after public safety staff confirmed no special conditions. Separately, the council approved a 2024 911 contract with Gregory County; public‑safety staff noted a separate interagency agreement for criminal background check authority that is handled apart from the 911 contract.

The council set the 2025 municipal election for April 8, 2025 and agreed to combine expenses with the Winner School District. Staff was asked to confirm the exact date candidate petitions may be filed for the election.

On personnel policy, the council adopted Resolution 2024‑31 to amend Policy 2.8, changing formal performance evaluations from quarterly to semiannual. Sponsors said supervisors should continue ongoing coaching and that semiannual formal reviews would be sufficient for merit and documentation purposes.

Finally, council members approved City Resolution 2024‑32 declaring a paid half‑day holiday for city employees on Christmas Eve (described in the resolution as 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2024). Law‑enforcement personnel required to work during that period will receive holiday premium pay. Council members also confirmed that a separate Christmas bonus had already been issued ($250 for full‑time employees; $125 for part‑time staff). The resolution passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance No. 1088 (second reading/passage) — passed unanimously; Award of 2024–2030 audit contract to Shane Fish & Company — passed unanimously; Interfund transfers (Corrections/Electric/Sewer to General; Corrections to 911) — passed unanimously; 911 contracts with Bennett County and Gregory County — both passed; Resolution 2024‑31 (policy 2.8 evaluation frequency) — passed; Resolution 2024‑32 (Christmas Eve half‑day pay) — passed; Claims as amended — passed.

The meeting concluded after claims approval and a motion to adjourn at 7:10 p.m.

Quotes from the meeting included Finance Officer Harley Kenny’s summary of the total claims: “that total would be $358,239.77 for the total claims,” and the finance officer’s recommendation on the audit award: “I recommend proceeding and accepting Shane Fish and Co.”