Mobridge council approves snowblower purchase, wage steps and routine finance items

MOBRIDGE, S.D. — At its Feb. 11 meeting the Mobridge City Council approved the purchase of a new street-department snowblower, authorized fund transfers, approved personnel wage adjustments and handled several routine finance and maintenance actions.

Council voted to purchase a new snowblower for $149,037.70, including delivery to Mobridge and trade-in of the existing machine, after staff said used alternatives were older and not cost-effective. To finance the purchase the council approved transferring $150,000 from the street equipment fund balance; staff also proposed budgeting $30,000 annually over five years to rebuild the fund.

"This street department has $252,000 in their assigned balance for their equipment," a council speaker said when outlining the funding plan. "I'm suggesting taking $150,000 out of there to pay for this snowblower, then over the next five years we budget $30,000 back into this street equipment fund." (Public works staff, Feb. 11)

Personnel actions approved included a wage increase for Aaron Vogel from $23.48 to $23.73, effective March 9, 2026 (the meeting transcript listed 1926 in error); the council also approved a step increase for Brady Feuer effective Jan. 26, 2026 (transcript date corrected from 1926). The wage motions were moved and approved by roll call.

The council approved declaring a 1991 Chevy Suburban surplus at the fire department and approved a budgeted $5,476 quote to replace north-side doors at Shear Howe; staff said the doors are old and broken and that removing a middle divider will ease access and that locks will be fitted later. The council also approved a property-tax abatement for 205 15th Street West (a house lost in a fire last year) with a refund amount of $6,410.82.

Finance recommended deferring action on transfer of a surplus Ford Explorer; the council approved that deferral. The meeting packet included the financial report and a March calendar of library events; council members were reminded the library is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

The council set the equalization meeting for the third week of March on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, with start time to be determined based on the number of appeals (appeals due March 12). The South Dakota Municipal Lake District meeting was noted for March 16, 2026 in Harriet, and the council encouraged representation.

With no public comments, the council approved the payment of bills and adjourned.