Spring Grove council approves loan for new fire truck, modest utility rate increases and several administrative measures

The Spring Grove City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 21 to approve a set of fiscal and administrative measures including a loan to finance a new fire truck and modest utility-rate increases.

Council Member Trent Turner moved to approve Resolution 25-01, authorizing a loan and security agreement to purchase a new fire truck; the motion was seconded by Council Member Morgan Buckland and carried 4-0. The action was presented as a financing step to replace essential firefighting equipment and was handled as a formal resolution.

The council also approved rate changes for utilities after a recommendation from the city’s financial advisor, Mike Bubany. The council voted 4-0 to raise water and electric rates by 3% and sewer rates by 3.5%, with members noting the adjustments are intended to keep pace with the city’s rising costs and are comparable to past increases.

Other financial and administrative votes taken at the meeting included: • Approval of Resolution 25-05 (Approving Bank Signers) as part of the formal appointments for 2025 (motion approved 4-0). • Two account write-offs: parcel 260534000 ($589.70) related to a fire-department bill and parcel 260201000 ($2,008.49) for past utilities; both write-offs were approved unanimously. Council discussion noted the first case involved an uninsured house and related clean-up costs; the second was an older balance and the council asked why it had not been written off earlier. • Adoption of the Chapter 104 Fee Schedule for 2025 and approval of Policy Number 6-55 (Employee Right to Know/Hazard Communication Standard), each approved 4-0.

The council adjourned at 6:40 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 18, 2025 at 6 p.m.