Dexter council approves clean 2024 audit, adopts sponsor resolution for Heartland Sno‑Goers

Dexter — The Dexter City Council approved a clean financial audit for 2024 and took several routine actions at its regular meeting Monday evening, while also reviewing a $1,536,550 estimate for a proposed 2026 Street & Utility Project that city advisors said would be costly to finance.

Sterling Shatek of CliftonLarsonAllen presented the 2024 audit and stated the city “was in good financial standing and issued a clean audit report for the city.” On a motion by Councilmember Casey Erwin and a second by Councilmember Tim Taylor, the council voted unanimously to accept the audit.

The clerk presented a revised engineer’s cost estimate and assessment roll for the proposed 2026 Street & Utility Project. The estimate lists a total project cost of $1,536,550 with $330,000 proposed to be placed on individual property assessments. The project scope described by the clerk includes reconstruction of Pleasant Street from South Street east to the gravel, replacing approximately 2,260 feet of 4‑inch waterline with 6‑inch pipe, culvert upsizing and installation of a sidewalk from the trailer park to Pine Street.

Mike Bubany of David Drown Associates told the council that, given Dexter’s relatively high median household income, the city likely would not qualify for certain grant programs and that issuing a bond large enough to cover the project would have a significant financial impact. Bubany suggested the council consider borrowing through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s loan programs as an alternative funding source.

Councilmember Diane O’Connor moved, and Erwin seconded, to approve the May meeting minutes, accept the financial statements and pay the June bills; the motion passed with all members present voting in favor.

The council unanimously adopted Resolution 05‑25 to establish the City of Dexter as financial sponsor for the Heartland Sno‑Goers Snowmobile Club for the club fiscal year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, enabling the club to receive maintenance and grooming grants through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Later in the meeting, the council authorized the city clerk to issue letters to two properties found in violation of Junk Ordinance #02‑02 (motion by Tim Taylor, second by Diane O’Connor). On a motion by O’Connor and a second by Erwin the council then adjourned the meeting.

The meeting record lists Mayor Justin Forthun and councilmembers Casey Erwin, Tim Taylor and Diane O’Connor as present; councilmember Christian Padilla was absent.