Britt council approves annual financial report, pay increases, tax abatements and appoints Brad Hiscocks

The Britt City Council approved the city’s 2024 Annual Financial Report and a series of routine personnel and administrative items during a regular meeting Tuesday night at the Britt Municipal Room.

Mayor Jim Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the council recorded a full roll call. Councilmembers approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda, which included minutes from Nov. 19 and Nov. 25 and the claims report.

In mayoral business the council voted to adopt the Annual Financial Report for fiscal 2024 after a motion from A. Weiss and a second from A. Nelson. The council also tabled approval of the Public Works Director and Public Works staff job descriptions until its Dec. 17 meeting to allow more time for review.

On employee benefits, the council renewed the city’s group insurance plan and, following a recommendation from Renea at Insurance and Financial Solutions, approved increasing employee life insurance coverage from $25,000 to $50,000.

Several personnel and pay items were approved: the council authorized Eve Carr and Joseph McEnulty as ACH signers for First State Bank; it raised the interim police chief wage for Jordan Williams from $33 to $34.50 per hour; and it increased part-time Public Works snowplow drivers’ pay from $18 to $20 per hour.

The council approved two 2024 City‑Wide Urban Revitalization Plan tax abatements — one for Farmer’s Trust and Savings Bank and one for Jared Wingert — each on unanimous votes.

Councilmember J. Moore moved, and the council approved, adding a condition to a $8,000 offer to purchase a tract in Block 3 (Plat of Survey #22‑0696) that would prohibit building on the property for 24 months after the sale is finalized.

To fill the vacancy left by Curt Gast, the council appointed Brad Hiscocks. The roll-call vote on that motion was T. Hildman — Yes; A. Nelson — Yes; J. Moore — Yes; A. Weiss — No. The motion carried and Hiscocks was appointed to the council.

The meeting concluded with a motion by A. Weiss, seconded by A. Nelson, to adjourn. The council adjourned by unanimous voice vote. The meeting minutes were signed by Joe McEnulty, City of Britt Administrator, and Mayor Jim Nelson.

Votes at a glance: approve agenda (motion: T. Hildman; second: A. Weiss; outcome: all ayes); approve minutes and claims (A. Weiss/A. Nelson; all ayes); approve 2024 Annual Financial Report (A. Weiss/A. Nelson; all ayes); table job descriptions until Dec. 17 (A. Weiss; tabled); renew employee insurance and increase life coverage to $50,000 (A. Weiss/T. Hildman; all ayes); authorize ACH signers Eve Carr and Joseph McEnulty (A. Weiss/A. Nelson; all ayes); raise interim police chief wage for Jordan Williams to $34.50 (A. Nelson/A. Weiss; all ayes); approve tax abatements for Farmer’s Trust & Savings Bank and Jared Wingert (A. Weiss/A. Nelson; both all ayes); increase PT snowplow pay to $20 (A. Weiss/T. Hildman; all ayes); approve keyless system at the water plant (A. Nelson/A. Weiss; all ayes); approve 24-month building restriction on James Cink purchase (J. Moore/A. Nelson; all ayes); appoint Brad Hiscocks to council vacancy (J. Moore/T. Hildman; roll-call 3–1; motion carried).

Next steps: job descriptions for Public Works remain on the Dec. 17 agenda for further review.