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Beresford council approves utility-credit ordinance and several contracts, sets May 4 public hearings
Summary
At the meeting the council adopted Ordinance 2026-2 creating a utility credit program for elderly and disabled residents, approved the 2026 Teamsters contract, authorized a gas main extension agreement with Mid American Energy, approved several license renewals and subsidy drawdowns, and set May 4 as the hearing date for multiple liquor/malt-beverage matters.
The Beresford City Council approved a slate of motions and ordinances in a single meeting, including adoption of a utility credit ordinance for eligible elderly and disabled residents, union contract approval, a utility contract and multiple budgeted subsidies.
Ordinance 2026-2: On second reading the council adopted Ordinance 2026-2 to establish a utility credit program for eligible elderly and disabled residents. Council discussion clarified that the city intends to use the county’s tax-assessment-freeze eligibility guidelines where practical, and staff and council members discussed operational mechanics (timing of applications and administrative workload). Council members noted the program is expected to be funded from a general fund line the city uses for nonprofit and subsidy activities; staff estimated a potential peak annual exposure of about $21,000 and said the city currently sets aside $75,000 annually for related nonprofit/subsidy activity. The ordinance passed by voice vote.
Union contract: Council approved the 2026 Teamsters (number 120) contract after reporting it had been through multiple iterations; the motion passed by voice vote.
Gas main extension: Council authorized the mayor to sign a Mid American Energy gas main extension agreement providing gas service to a new housing development. The project’s total contract was stated at $54,000 with discounts; the immediate amount requested for approval was $27,244.95. Staff explained prorated credits will be returned as lots are sold.
License renewals and hearings: The council approved a packet of retail on/off sale malt beverage and South Dakota farm-wine license renewals (four applicants) and set May 4, 2026 as the public hearing date for three transfer/new-license matters (BP Food Mart, Sinclair Food Mart, Classics Incorporated).
Budgeted subsidies and abatement: Council approved budgeted draw-downs for the Chamber of Commerce ($4,000) and the Senior Citizen Center ($4,500) and approved a partial property-tax abatement/refund to Patricia Mesler (parcel 260.45.09.002B, 406 North 6th Street) in the amount of $2,660.20.
Routine business: The council adopted the March financials, authorized payment of the bills, and voted to enter executive session for legal and personnel matters at the meeting’s close.
No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript for individual-item votes; motions passed by voice vote at the meeting and outcomes were recorded as carried by the chair.
