Keiser council approves 2025 budget adjustment, awards lift-station contract and adopts cybersecurity, retention policies

The Keiser City Council on Nov. 18 approved several administrative and infrastructure measures as it wrapped up routine business for the year.

Mayor Rick Creecy opened the meeting and confirmed a quorum. Councilmembers Donna Bell and Lynn Skaggs moved and seconded a slate of routine approvals, including past meeting minutes and the financial reports, all adopted by unanimous voice vote.

Facing a rise in workers' compensation costs, the council approved an adjustment to the 2025 budget after members were told the line item increased from $5,000 to $6,402. Councilmember Donna Bell moved to accept the adjustment and to adopt the budget; Councilmember Lynn Skaggs seconded and the motion passed with all voting aye.

On infrastructure, the council approved awarding the Main Street Lift Station contract to contractor MMRC. The mayor said the project will take about six months to start construction as administrative steps are completed.

Recorder Penny Wilbanks read Resolution 2024-12, titled an agreement and release/donation waiver for receipt of donated equipment, in connection with a recommendation from the Keiser Fire Department to donate a 1975 Ford fire truck that is out of service. The transcript records the reading of the resolution but does not record a formal vote on the resolution.

The council voted to decline a private offer from Hunter Malone to let the city purchase furniture left at The Diner by Champion Coffee (referred to in the transcript as The Grind); the motion to decline was approved unanimously.

On public-safety compensation, the council adopted a fire-pay schedule recommended by the Fire Department: $20 for meeting attendance, $20 per fire response and $55 for fires lasting more than three hours. Councilmembers also approved an annual city incentive: $600 for full-time employees and $300 for part-time employees.

In administrative policy, the council adopted a Cybersecurity Policy and Procedures document and a Data Retention Policy that preserves records for seven years while keeping ordinances and resolutions permanently; both policies were approved unanimously.

Mayor Creecy provided a grants update, saying applications have been submitted for a CDBG drainage grant, a BCBS grant and an NRA training grant. He also said a sewer grant has been awarded and staff will confirm the grant type in the coming days. The mayor reported meeting with Judge Nelson about potential additional funds but provided no further specifics.

Council approved selling two city vehicles—a Tahoe and a blue Crown Victoria police car—and heard brief updates on animals at the dog pound and a forthcoming code-enforcement plan being developed by the chief of police and Officer Borden. With no further business the council adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of Oct. minutes: mover Donna Bell; seconder Lynn Skaggs; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Approval of financial reports: mover Lynn Skaggs; seconder Donna Bell; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Award Main Street Lift Station contract to MMRC: outcome: approved (mover/second not specified in transcript). - Budget adjustment (workers' compensation increase to $6,402) and adoption of 2025 budget: mover Donna Bell; seconder Lynn Skaggs; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Decline purchase of diner furniture (offer from Hunter Malone): mover Donna Bell; seconder Lynn Skaggs; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Fire-pay schedule adoption: mover Donna Bell; seconder Lynn Skaggs; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Annual city incentive pay ($600 FT, $300 PT): mover Lynn Skaggs; seconder Donna Bell; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Adoption of Cybersecurity Policy and Data Retention Policy (7-year retention; ordinances/resolutions retained permanently): mover Lynn Skaggs; seconder Donna Bell; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Sale of city vehicles (Tahoe and Crown Victoria): mover Donna Bell; seconder Lynn Skaggs; outcome: approved, unanimous.

What’s next

Staff will confirm details of the awarded sewer grant and the schedule for the Main Street Lift Station work. The transcript records the mayor’s meeting with Judge Nelson about possible funds, but no commitments or amounts were stated.