Underwood council keeps property tax rate at $12.85, approves one-year $78,800 levy for FY2026

At a special meeting Feb. 24, the Underwood City Council voted to keep the city's property tax rate at $12.85 and approved a one-year levy of $78,800 for fiscal year 2026, with Public Works asked to provide additional information at the council's March 11 meeting.

Mayor Dennis Bardsley called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m. Councilmember Jim Pingel moved to approve the meeting agenda, and Councilmember Josh Madsen seconded; the motion carried 5-0. The meeting record shows Powell and Cindy Sorlien were also in attendance.

Council discussion centered on potential projects, including a proposed building fire expansion. Pingel initially moved to keep the property tax rate at $12.85 and continue the fire expansion, with a fallback to a one-year FY2026 project if costs proved too high. That first motion, moved by Pingel and seconded by Councilmember JW Tiarks, passed on a 3-2 vote: Tiarks, Pingel and Councilmember Kelle Erwin voting aye; Councilmembers Josh Madsen and Jodi Bose voting nay.

Following further discussion, Pingel reintroduced the measure with a specified one-year levy amount of $78,800 for FY2026 and asked that Public Works bring detailed information to the council on March 11. Councilmember Kelle Erwin seconded the reintroduced motion, which the council approved unanimously, 5-0.

The minutes record that no action was taken to amend Resolution 25-02-01 during the special meeting. Pingel moved and Madsen seconded to adjourn; Mayor Bardsley adjourned the meeting at 1:34 p.m.

Next steps: Public Works is scheduled to present supporting information at the council's March 11 meeting; the minutes reported here are subject to approval at the next regular council meeting and were provided by City Administrator/Clerk Cindy Sorlien.