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Baxter council renews sheriff contract, adopts garbage rate change and approves utility incentives
Summary
At its May 11 meeting, the Baxter City Council unanimously renewed contracted sheriff services for one year, adopted Resolution No. 2026-15 adjusting garbage and recycling rates, approved pay application and change order for SW Avenue Reconstruction Phase 2, and launched a paperless-billing incentive program.
The Baxter City Council on May 11 unanimously renewed its contracted sheriff services for an additional year, adopted a resolution increasing garbage and recycling rates, approved construction pay and a change order for the SW Avenue Reconstruction Phase 2 project, and approved a new utility billing incentive program to promote paperless billing.
The renewal of the city's sheriff contract was moved by Councilmember Smith and seconded by Councilmember Milligan; the motion passed with all five councilmembers voting in favor (Bethards, Churchill, Milligan, Schabilion, Smith). Council previously reviewed a Jasper County Sheriff report and discussed call classifications and contract time reporting during the meeting.
The council also adopted Resolution No. 2026-15, moved by Councilmember Bethards and seconded by Councilmember Churchill. The resolution adjusts garbage and recycling rates; the council recorded a unanimous vote in favor. No implementation date or rate table was included in the public minutes beyond adoption of the resolution.
On capital projects, the council approved Pay Application No. 1 and Change Order No. 1 for the SW Avenue Reconstruction Phase 2 project. Councilmember Milligan moved the approval and Councilmember Schabilion seconded; the motion carried unanimously.
To encourage electronic billing, the council approved the “Hooked on Easy Billing” incentive program. The program, approved on a motion by Councilmember Bethards and seconded by Councilmember Milligan, offers residents who enroll in paperless billing and automatic payment between June and August 2026 entry into a drawing for three $100 utility bill credits.
Council also directed staff to refine a draft Utility Account Vacancy and Transfer Policy for later consideration and authorized the hiring of a part-time fill-in library staff member.
Financial documents presented with the packet showed total claims of $290,861.14 and total expenditures of $1,355,481.28 for the period; reported total revenues were $2,040,529.79.
During the public-comment period, Bunny Churchill said it had been a "great meeting." The council reviewed its task list and confirmed the next regular meeting for June 15, 2026.
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
