Stacyville City Council advances loan plan, approves switch to 65‑gallon garbage cans and sets budget hearing

The Stacyville City Council on April 13 voted to take additional steps toward a General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement, set a public hearing on the 2026–2027 budget and approved switching to 65‑gallon garbage and recycling cans for most households.

Mayor Paul Halbach called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilmember Jacob Gerbig moved and Roger Hemann seconded RESOLUTION 2026‑05 to take additional action on the loan proposal; the roll-call vote was recorded as 5 ayes and 0 nays. The council then adopted RESOLUTION 2026‑06 to set the budget hearing for 7:30 p.m. April 27 at the Stacyville Public Library (motion by Allyn Brumm; seconded by Roger Hemann; all voted aye).

On the garbage collection proposal, council discussed a prior presentation from Jendro that would replace household garbage bags with two 65‑gallon cans (one for garbage, one for recycling). The change was projected to raise the monthly residential fee from $9.00 to about $22.10. Councilmember Lauren Samson moved to proceed with ordering the 65‑gallon cans; Councilmember Alex Emerson seconded and the motion passed 4–1. According to the minutes, a town survey returned a 50/50 split for and against the change; no separate public hearing on the switch was scheduled.

Other business included park and recreation planning: council approved hiring Adam Koenigs to run the summer recreation program (Monday–Thursday in June; $25 program fee) and asked staff to seek sponsors to help purchase equipment. The Community Club will use its own funds to clean out and add shelving in the park building. The council approved a mowing, lawn‑rolling and leaf‑pickup contract with Alan Hackenmiller for the 2026 season.

Public Works Supervisor Joe Erbe reported on a renovation at 102 N. Broad that will convert the building into rentals; the council agreed to add external shutoff valves and exterior meter readouts and to separate an adjacent house from the same service line. Erbe said he has been assisting Stacyville Poultry Processing with water sampling after the plant experienced problems with a wastewater tank; the plant will purchase testing equipment and provide reports on sampling going forward.

Council members expressed concern about a local junk yard’s failure to install a gate or clean up, and about stored junk cars adjacent to vehicles for sale; neighboring businesses have complained about rats. The council placed the junk‑yard matter on the May agenda for follow‑up. A resident also raised an unresolved complaint about junk at 202 East Vernon.

The clerk reported March 2026 revenues (General $7,922.95; Water $15,105.67; Sewer $9,861.16; plus Road Use Tax, LOST and TIF totals) and the council approved the April payment list, which included utility and vendor bills and project management invoices. The meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for May 11, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - RESOLUTION 2026‑05 (advance action on General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement): mover Jacob Gerbig; second Roger Hemann; roll‑call tally 5 ayes, 0 nays; outcome approved. - RESOLUTION 2026‑06 (set public hearing on 2026–2027 budget for April 27, 2026): mover Allyn Brumm; second Roger Hemann; all voted aye; outcome approved. - Garbage‑can implementation (order 65‑gallon garbage and recycling cans; fee change projected from $9.00 to ~$22.10/month): mover Lauren Samson; second Alex Emerson; tally 4 ayes, 1 nay; outcome approved. - Park & Recreation hire (Adam Koenigs, summer program leader): mover Roger Hemann; second Allyn Brumm; all voted aye; outcome approved.

No oral or written public comments were recorded at the loan public hearing. Several public commenters raised code‑enforcement concerns about junk on private property and the junk yard; council referred those concerns for action at the next meeting.