Holli Pendergast

The council held a public hearing regarding a moratorium on water service connection applications and a public forum concerning the establishment of Water Use Efficiency Goals and a Water System Plan. Key legislative actions included the adoption of Ordinance No. 566 to extend the water moratorium, the approval of the 2026-2030 Fee Schedule, and the adoption of a small and attractive assets policy. The council also discussed a one-time education scholarship contingent upon audit findings, authorized the Mayor to participate in a Watershed Protection Program pilot, reviewed financial reports including the 2025 Annual Report and fund transfers, and authorized the clerk to seek bids for a parking lot extension project.

The council held a public hearing regarding Ordinance No. 567 concerning an EMS levy election. The council approved the EMS levy ordinance and Resolution No. 417, which authorizes an amended easement agreement with the White River School District for water service. Additionally, the council approved a one-time education scholarship award and a water leak adjustment. Public works updates included discussions on the Watershed Protection Program, a revised project plan for water pump replacements at the water plant, the Statewide drought declaration, and approval for the removal of dangerous trees on town property. The clerk-treasurer provided updates on the upcoming audit closing and parking lot improvement discussions.

The meeting included the swearing-in of two new Councilmembers. Key discussions centered on resolutions and agreements, including a review of the 2026-2030 Fee Schedule, which will be re-reviewed against previous years' schedules at the next meeting. The council approved a garbage rate increase resolution, establishing the new rate at $2.00 above Murrey's Disposal charges, rounded up to the nearest nickel. Engineering updates were provided regarding the Carbonado WWTP Design & Feasibility and Raw Water and Basin Improvement projects; the council requested cost information to approach the Department of Health (DOH) regarding additional water hookups based on completed improvements. Councilmember Argo was nominated and elected as Mayor Pro Tem, abstaining from the vote. Old business involved depositing nearly $500,000 into the LGIP. The Clerk-Treasurer provided a reminder to new members regarding enrollment in the Department of Retirement Systems plan.

The meeting commenced with a Public Hearing regarding Ordinance No. 564, a 2025 Budget Amendment, necessitated primarily by investment into the LGIP which was unbudgeted. Following this, the Consent Agenda, which included approvals for warrants and payroll, was approved. The council subsequently adopted Ordinance No. 564, amending the 2025 budget. Ordinance No. 565, adopting the 2026 budget, was also approved, which corrected previous fund transfers related to the 7th Street Sidewalk Project and LGIP investments from 2023. Under New Town Business, the council approved an additional LGIP investment of up to $300,000, agreeing to maintain only two months of Operating & Maintenance (O&M) cash on hand for increased interest earnings. The Mayor announced the upcoming Wreaths Across America event. The Clerk-Treasurer requested feedback on presenting project updates and the WWTP Design Report at a workshop or the next meeting, with the council preferring the updates to be presented at the subsequent meeting.

The meeting included excusal of absences, a public hearing regarding the Final Budget Hearing 2026 with no public comments, a review of the 2025 Budget with no changes made, and reports from the Mayor, Public Works, Clerk-Treasurer, and Council. The council also discussed councilmember McBride's absences.