Council accepts annual financial report, hears fire department update and appoints Joan Driessen to library board

The council voted to accept the town’s annual financial report after staff summarized fund highlights and then approved the fire department’s annual report and roster.

A staff member told the council that $450,000 from the general fund remained unspent in 2025 (exhibit 4). The same presentation noted the water fund gained about $24,000, sewer gained about $65,000, refuse decreased roughly $60,000 (largely for a chassis purchase) and the ambulance fund was negative after equipment purchases. The council voted to accept the annual report as presented.

The fire chief reported the department lists 31 firefighters, recorded at least 33 calls for service last year, and is tracking frequent false alarms from an autodialer. The chief said the department expects an estimate for a new rural tanker/pumper in the next few days and noted that his five-year term as chief is complete, with Cody and Aaron serving as assistant chiefs. The council approved the fire department annual report and roster by motion and roll call.

On board appointments, a staff member nominated Joan Driessen to the library board; the council approved the appointment and discussed a start date of April 1 or May 1 while the appointee finishes prior commitments.

All approvals were made by motion and roll call; no legal or statutory citations were referenced during the presentations.