Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Shell Lake council approves water, sewer and garbage rate increases; sets other administrative actions
Summary
On Feb. 9 the Shell Lake City Council approved a 3% water increase and a 9% sewer increase (both effective April 3, 2026), and a 9% garbage rate increase; the council also authorized advertising for a full-time police officer and approved several routine administrative items.
The Shell Lake City Council on Feb. 9 voted to raise municipal utility rates and to approve several routine administrative measures.
At the start of the meeting Mayor Rowie Hansberger called the regular session to order. Councilmember Stephen Smith moved and Tom Rasmussen seconded a measure to increase the citys water rates by 3.00% effective April 3, 2026; the motion passed unanimously on a roll-call vote.
Councilmember Mike Andrews then moved, seconded by Dan Harrington, to adopt Resolution No. 1-2026, raising sewer rates by 9.00% effective April 3, 2026. A motion by Councilmember Stephen Smith to amend the increase to 8% failed for lack of a second; the resolution passed on roll call with five ayes and one nay (Councilmember Smith voted no). Mitch Brown, the citys Public Works Director, explained the increase by citing rising costs for sewer-related supplies.
Councilmember Ken Schultz moved, seconded by Terry Severson, to raise garbage collection rates by 9.00% effective April 3, 2026. Councilmember Stephen Smith proposed amending that motion to 8% (seconded by Mike Andrews); the amendment failed on roll call. The original 9% increase then passed on roll call with four ayes and two nays.
The council also moved a set of routine administrative items: it unanimously authorized the City Administrator and Chief of Police to begin advertising for a full-time police officer with an application deadline of March 13, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.; approved vouchers 1-122; and unanimously named City Administrator Andrew Eiche, Mayor Rowie Hansberger and City Council President Kenneth Schultz as authorized signers on the city's CDBG account at Shell Lake State Bank, removing Arthur Berlin from the account.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of Jan. 12, 2026 minutes: moved by Mike Andrews, seconded by Tom Rasmussen; carried unanimously. - Water rate increase (3.00% effective April 3, 2026): moved by Stephen Smith, seconded by Tom Rasmussen; unanimous. - Sewer rate increase (Resolution No. 1-2026, 9.00% effective April 3, 2026): moved by Mike Andrews, seconded by Dan Harrington; passed 5-1 (Smith opposed). - Garbage rate increase (9.00% effective April 3, 2026): moved by Ken Schultz, seconded by Terry Severson; passed 4-2 after an unsuccessful amendment to reduce to 8%. - Authorization to advertise for a full-time police officer: moved by Dan Harrington, seconded by Ken Schultz; unanimous. Application deadline March 13, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. - Beach House rental policy (allow rentals May 15Oct. 15 annually): moved by Terry Severson, seconded by Ken Schultz; unanimous. - Vouchers 1-122 approval: moved by Stephen Smith, seconded by Terry Severson; unanimous. - CDBG account authorized signers: moved by Stephen Smith, seconded by Tom Rasmussen; unanimous (authorized signers: Andrew Eiche, Rowie Hansberger, Kenneth Schultz; remove Arthur Berlin).
The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m. City Administrator Andrew Eiche was listed as clerk/treasurer on the meeting record.
