What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Meeting opening and agenda approval
Mayor Hybben opened the work session at 6:00 p.m., the pledge was recited, roll call showed all five council members present, and the council approved the agenda as presented.
Agenda: 1. Motions: M1. Speakers: Mayor Hybben, Interim City Administrator Johnson, Council Member Breyen, Council Member Glaser.
Twin Lakes Regional Park kayak vendor request
During public forum, a comment from Lucinda Benson asked whether the city would consider hiring a kayak vendor for Twin Lakes Regional Park. The forum was then closed with no council action recorded.
Agenda: 2. Speakers: Lucinda Benson, Mayor Hybben.
2026 budget process and fund balance
Financial Consultant Yager gave a Budget 101 presentation for council members, walking through how CIP and ERP items, prior actuals, staff recommendations, revenues, fund balance, and levy choices feed into the 2026 budget process. The discussion emphasized that the city had about $1.5 million in fund balance at the end of 2024, that the recommended five-month reserve for 2025 was $1,025,000, and that future use of fund balance should be handled carefully rather than used to mask ongoing operating costs.
Agenda: 3. Speakers: Financial Consultant Yager, Mayor Hybben, Council Member Rainville.
Sheriff contract and code enforcement
Council members discussed the sheriff contract as a major public-safety cost, the possibility of using deputy time to help document code complaints, and alternatives such as administrative citations to avoid high civil-attorney costs. They also discussed the limited fine revenue the city receives, the use of gambling proceeds toward sheriff costs, and the projected 2026 sheriff contract line.
Agenda: 3. Speakers: Financial Consultant Yager, Interim City Administrator Johnson, Council Member Swenson, Mayor Hybben.
Revenue options, LGA, and commercial zoning
The council explored possible revenue options including local sales tax, municipal liquor, cannabis, gambling proceeds, commercial or industrial tax base growth, and requalification for Local Government Aid. The discussion concluded that many of those options would require legislative approval, significant startup costs, zoning or comprehensive-plan work, or unrealistic commercial growth before they could materially affect Nowthen's budget.
Agenda: 3. Speakers: Financial Consultant Yager, Council Member Swenson, Council Member Rainville, Mayor Hybben.
Road funding and bond planning
The council spent substantial time on road funding, bond issuance, and long-term maintenance planning. Members discussed the prior practice of spending about $500,000 per year on roads, the possibility that current needs are over one million dollars per year, and the fact that larger bond issues may be more efficient than multiple smaller ones.
Agenda: 3. Speakers: Financial Consultant Yager, Interim City Administrator Johnson, Mayor Hybben, Council Member Rainville.
Recycling Center revenues
Council members briefly reviewed Recycling Center finances, including county grant timing, a $29,000 grant, a request for another $20,000 for enhancements, and a stated 2024 profit figure of $13,400. The discussion noted that audit accruals should give an accurate year-end picture.
Agenda: 3. Speakers: Council Member Rainville, Financial Consultant Yager, Mayor Hybben.
Adjournment
After the budget discussion ended, Council Member Swenson moved to adjourn, Council Member Rainville seconded, and the meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.
Agenda: 4. Motions: M2. Speakers: Council Member Swenson, Council Member Rainville.