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Rushford Village council approves 2026 contracts, appointments and budgets
Summary
At its Jan. 20 annual meeting, Rushford Village Council approved 2026 appointments, contracts and banking signatories, accepted the 2025 financial report and carried several administrative motions including a reduced Chamber advertising request; council discussed but deferred changes to council compensation pending legal review.
Rushford Village Council on Jan. 20 approved a slate of 2026 administrative items, including appointments, service contracts and the village's financial reports, while discussing a proposed change to council pay that will be reviewed by the city attorney before any action.
Mayor Dennis Overland opened the annual meeting and the council approved the agenda and minutes. The council appointed Mike Ebner as vice mayor, named Judy Graham acting clerk and Mary Miner acting treasurer, and set 2026 regular meetings for the first and third Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
The council accepted Rushford State Bank signatory arrangements and designated the Fillmore County Journal as the official 2026 newspaper. Council also approved multiple 2026 contracts, including legal services with O'Koren Law Firm (rate cited in the packet), audit services with Engelson & Associates (not to exceed $11,500 for the 2025 audit), economic development services through CEDA (not to exceed $16,400), billing software (CentralSquare/Vadim) and Granicus open-platform meeting services.
Treasurer Judy Graham presented the financial report: NOW account balance $388,609.10 with a breakdown across general, MIF/RLF, water and sewer funds; December receipts and disbursements were reviewed and the council approved the 2025 financial report and investments as presented.
During the meeting the council voted on the R-P Valley Chamber's 2026 advertising request of $341.90, a reduction from $535.40 in 2025. Chamber representative Stephanie Eggert said the Chamber plans to emphasize online advertising and requested the smaller amount because the city is temporarily without a city administrator. The motion to approve the $341.90 request was made by Council Member Travis Link and seconded by Rick Ruberg; the minutes record that Council Member Robert Hart opposed the request while the motion carried.
The council also reviewed memberships and personnel pay items. It approved a 3% cost-of-living increase for staff on the step structure (named staff included Maintenance Supervisor Darrin Dessner, Treasurer Judy Graham and City Clerk Mary Miner) and confirmed Family Paid Leave would be available to employees effective Jan. 1, 2026. Council Member Robert Hart suggested changing council compensation from a per-meeting payment to a flat monthly stipend; Mayor Overland and Clerk Miner said the city attorney will be consulted on whether such a change can take effect immediately or must wait until after elections.
The meeting concluded with approvals of committee appointments (personnel, equipment, board of health membership including Dr. Marcoux and Dr. Katelyn Marg, along with weed inspectors), and a reminder of upcoming meetings and events.
Next steps: legal review of any compensation timing change and routine follow-up on contract and budget implementation. The council adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
