Lake City council approves equipment purchases, hires and schedule items; declines garbage-rate increase

Lake City Council on Feb. 16 approved several budget-related and operational items including equipment purchases and staffing actions while declining a request to raise garbage rates.

Council authorized including a mower in the FY 2027 budget (motion by Gorden, second by Daniel) and approved a six-year lease for a new snowplow after staff discussed leasing and the possibility of a future General Obligation bond to finance leasing in a subsequent budget year (motion by Bruns, second by Wilson). Council indicated support for pursuing a GO bond in the next budget season but noted it is not an option for the first year of the current lease.

On staffing, the council accepted the resignation of Pool Manager Bixenstine and authorized hiring a new pool manager and all pool staff; councilmembers thanked Bixenstine for her service. Council discussed possible pool-wage increases and directed staff to return with more information at the next regular meeting.

Council set the Citywide Clean Up Day for April 11, 2026, and reviewed garbage-fund revenues and expenses, concluding that the current fiscal year will not produce a shortage and therefore will not require a garbage-rate increase at this time.

Other operational updates included a Community Memorial Building staffing update and a Public Works report that steel work on park bathrooms was completed. Chief James provided vehicle quotes and mentioned a potential scooter ordinance; Chief James will also investigate a parking concern raised by Councilmember Daniel.

Next steps: staff to provide more detailed wage information for pool staffing and to include approved equipment in the FY 2027 budget process.