DeWitt City Council approves audit, freezes water-assessment interest and awards sidewalk contract

Mayor Sue Leeming presided as the DeWitt City Council met on Oct. 13, 2025, and unanimously approved a package of routine business and fiscal measures, including receiving the city’s annual audit and passing a resolution to freeze interest rate adjustments on water capital benefit assessments.

The council received and filed the fiscal year 2024–25 audit presented by Aaron Stevens of Maner Costerisan, who reported that “overall, the city is in great financial health.” Councilmember VanDyke moved to receive and place the audit on file; Councilmember Donohue seconded the motion, and it carried by unanimous vote.

In other actions, the council confirmed two mayoral appointments. With a recent amendment to SCCMUA bylaws allowing alternate board members, Mayor Leeming’s nomination of Rich Miller, DPS Supervisor, as DeWitt City’s alternate to the SCCMUA Board was approved unanimously (motion by Councilmember Landgraf, second by Councilmember Kellogg). The council also confirmed Mayor Leeming’s appointment of Paul Cousino to the Board of Review, with a term expiring Jan. 15, 2029 (motion by Councilmember Landgraf, second by Councilmember Whitman).

The council approved operational and capital items on unanimous votes. Council approved closing City Hall and the Department of Public Services on Dec. 26, 2025 (non-holiday closure), following a motion by Councilmember Hunsaker and second by Councilmember Landgraf. The council awarded Able Concrete a contract to excavate and install new sidewalk and curb at ten locations across the city for $40,630.70, including a 10% contingency; the motion to award the contract was made by Councilmember Donohue and seconded by Councilmember Whitman.

On fiscal policy, the council passed Resolution #2025-05 to suspend adjustments to interest rates for all Water Capital Benefit Assessment Districts and to lock in the amounts established as of Dec. 31, 2024. Councilmember Landgraf moved to approve the resolution; Councilmember Donohue seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

During staff and council reports, City Administrator Daniel Coss reviewed items from the administrator’s report and discussed resident outreach via the GOGov app. Chief of Police Bryan Curtis reported on a Public Safety session at a school board meeting and on a poverty-simulation event. Curtis noted that Officer Sharon Worthington will retire in early November and that Angela Matthews will begin as a full-time officer on Oct. 27, 2025. Clerk-Treasurer Sarah Stoltzfus said she will attend a MERS conference and is working on community engagement ideas; Councilmember Hunsaker reported on DAESA work implementing policies for the Earned Sick Time Leave Act.

The council adjourned at 8:15 p.m. after a motion by Councilmember VanDyke, seconded by Councilmember Whitman.