Atkins City Council adopts ordinance, formalizes petty cash fund and OKs generator grant for Fremont Township

Atkins — The Atkins City Council on Dec. 9 approved several routine administrative and financial measures, including the final reading of Ordinance 237 to establish city utility accounts, a resolution creating a $200 petty cash fund and policy for the clerk’s office, a one‑time grant to Fremont Township for a replacement backup generator at an identified emergency shelter, and a contract to recodify the city’s 2005 code of ordinances.

Scott, speaking in the city administrator’s report and while introducing multiple agenda items, said the "city clerk's office currently maintains a cash fund for several purposes" and presented a proposed policy that would codify reconciliations, specify the custodian and authorized uses, and set the petty cash threshold at $200. The council approved the petty cash resolution on a roll-call vote.

The council also approved a one-time grant requested by Fremont Township to replace a backup generator at 89 Main Avenue, which Scott said is identified in the Bent County Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Plan as an emergency shelter for the community. Scott described the estimate for the replacement as "a little over $10,000" and said the project would be paid from local option sales tax/community betterment funds rather than property-tax revenues. The council voted to authorize the grant.

On ordinance business, the body completed the third (final) reading of Ordinance 237 to amend the city code related to utility accounts and adopted the ordinance by roll-call vote. Council members also approved a resolution updating authorized bank signers to remove Samantha Peterson and add Mayor-elect Brian Cruz, effective in January.

Council members approved a contract to recodify the city's 2005 code — a project the presenter described as a high-priority housekeeping measure to bring ordinances up to current Iowa code standards, make the code searchable online and host it on the city's website; the proposal amount in the submitted packet was $5,800.

All formal motions recorded during the meeting carried on roll-call votes with the members present indicating approval. The council held no substantive public comments during the allotted citizen opportunity period.

The council also discussed whether an approved library board resolution needed council agenda placement in future meetings and heard several community announcements, including adjustments to holiday office hours and a reminder that the Dec. 18 meeting will include outgoing and incoming member ceremonies. The meeting adjourned following a motion and roll-call vote.

What's next: The council scheduled a Dec. 18 meeting (to avoid the Christmas week) that will include the swearing-in of incoming members. The city administrator said staff expects the FY25 audit final report in January.