The Britton City Council addressed the city’s water meter replacement project, potential grant opportunities, property use and other city business during its regular meeting Monday evening.
During public comment, Corrine Zorn asked whether Britton officials communicate with leaders in other communities about issues such as salaries, expenses and how the city compares with similar towns.
Mayor Clyde Fredrickson said he occasionally visits with other mayors and that the city can also use information available through the Northeast Council of Governments (NECOG) to make comparisons.
Councilman Jerome Marlow said he recently visited DeSmet and spoke with the manager of its event center. The two discussed event pricing and the responsibilities of city employees who work at the facility, among other topics.
Jeanne Ahlgren also addressed the council, reading a prepared statement asking officials not to impose a surcharge on water bills to help pay for the city’s $375,000 water meter replacement project.
Ahlgren cited rising expenses and questioned spending on other items, including employee cell phone stipends and road repairs.
The discussion led to questions about whether the city could make greater use of grants to help pay for projects. Fredrickson said NECOG currently assists the city with some grant work and suggested inviting a NECOG representative to a future meeting to explain available grant opportunities and the application process.
No decision was made Monday regarding a water surcharge. Marlow did ask the city attorney to rewrite the city’s recently considered water equipment ordinance, which would establish that the city covers the cost of the meters and their installation.
Dane Ekdom, an engineer with ISG, provided an update on the city’s ongoing lift station project. The contractor is waiting for a new pump, which is expected to arrive in early October. Once the pump is installed, the project is expected to be completed, followed by a final change order and final payment application.
The council also discussed an ongoing drainage issue in an alley east of Main Street near Sixth Street. Russ Marlow told the council the area has experienced flooding for several years, with water rushing through the alley and flooding a storage shed. He said the low spot and an insufficient culvert contribute to the problem and that he has discussed possible ways to investigate the issue with ISG.
The council approved a special alcohol license for the Northern Lights Inn for an event at the Event Center.
The city also approved an application related to Airport Improvement Program funding for lighting improvements at the Britton Municipal Airport. The city would contribute 5 percent of the estimated $75,000 planning cost, or approximately $3,750. Officials emphasized that the agreement is for the planning stage and does not commit the city to completing even the planning portion of the process.
The council agreed to apply for a conservation district grant for tree planting. The grant would provide $5,000, with a $1,000 city contribution that could be provided through labor or funds, if the project qualifies.
Marlow and Councilman Phil Pruitt have also been exploring options for the city-owned sale barn property. Marlow said the property, which the city purchased several years ago, has continued to cost the city money.
The council discussed leasing the front four lots for parking semi-trucks or other equipment, with restrictions prohibiting unusable items, salvage or junk. The city attorney will draft an agreement for a proposed lease of $200 per month.
Marlow also brought up previous donations to the city, including the John Vrchota basketball court and a donation from the Card family for improvements to the upstairs of the Event Center. Fredrickson said he will continue working on the Event Center project, noting that all of the steel studs have arrived. He also reported that the city recently received an $11,000 donation that will help pay for electrical work and finishing a bathroom upstairs.
Marlow presented several anonymous letters questioning various council actions and spending.
Library Director Sonya Lang also addressed an anonymous letter concerning the Britton Public Library. The letter questioned whether library staff had requested documentation for a service animal and raised questions about the Friends of the Britton Public Library’s fundraising and management of funds.
Lang said library staff did not ask to see documentation for the service animal. She also said funds raised by the Friends group are not used to pay staff salaries.
The council approved the city’s 2025 audit.
The council approved asking for the maximum allowable city property tax levy for the coming year. The levy request is based on the previous year’s levy, adjusted for a 2.5 percent consumer price index increase and 0.59 percent growth.
The city requested approximately $605,817 last year. The adjustments increase the allowable request by $18,739, bringing this year’s maximum levy request to $624,556.
The council also discussed the 2027 budget and plans to schedule a special meeting, potentially with ISG engineers present to discuss upcoming projects. The first reading of the budget must be held in November, with changes still possible before final approval in December.
The meeting concluded with an executive session for personnel matters. No action was taken following the closed session.
