Wilmot City Council Proceedings
Wilmot City Council Proceedings
March 9, 2026
The Wilmot City Council meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Wilmot City Office in regular session with Mayor Zachery Zempel presiding. Council members present: Roger Butler, Lindsey Dorosh, Jack Hansen, Michael Hook and Clayton Winge (6:05 p.m.) Absent: None. Others in attendance were City Attorney Kelsey Stock, PW Superintendent Brett Halseide and Finance Officer Diana Halseide.
Visitors in attendance: DeDe Minnala-Backhaus, Mike Davis, and Sheriff Appel
No conflict-of-interest items on the agenda for anyone on Council were declared.
Butler Motioned to approve the Agenda as read with the correction of Bid Opening changed to Publish for Bids. Hansen seconded. All voted Aye, Motion carried.
Butler Motioned to approve the following Minutes: February 9, 2026, Regular Council Proceedings. Winge seconded. All voted Aye. Motion carried.
Reports and Communications:
Mayor Zempel presented the progress and/or completion of the following projects as reported.
Robert’s Rules of Order: Attorney Kelsey Stock presented to Council Robert’s Rules of Order and provided a handout for Council.
Water Purchased vs Water Sold: The February loss variable was 23.37%.
PW Maintenance Superintendent Report: PW Halseide’s report included a DANR Rubble Site Inspection with all good standing except for some plastic in the tree pile. The plastic has been removed. A lagoon sample was also collected just that morning.
Sanitary Sewer Project Status Update: Awaiting IMEG Project Closing Paperwork.
Outfall Line on 2026 State Water Plan: The City of Wilmot is on the Water & Natural Resources Board meeting scheduled for March 26-27, 2026.
USDA Annual Compliance: due March 1st and submitted February 19, 2026.
2026 Petition Circulation: Closes March 24, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Local Board of Equalization Meeting: March 16th at 6 p.m.
District 1 Annual Meeting: Hansen Motioned to approve the City covering the registration fees and mileage reimbursement for any alderman or City employee interested in attending the District 1 Annual Meeting in Webster on March 26, 2026, in Webster. Butler seconded. Roll Call Vote of Aye: Butler, Dorosh, Winge, Hansen, Hook. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Citizen Complaints: There are continued complaints from residents about dogs running at large in town. Council will look into further actions available.
Claims: Council reviewed the claims for warrants.
Warrants approved:
GENERAL: ATI, 69.99, services; Bohn, Alexandra, 250.00, service; CHS, 2,283.79, utility; Delta Dental, 208.94, insurance; Delta Vision, 45.96, insurance; Fluegal, Anderson, McLaughlin, 430.57, legal; Grant County Review, 93.02, publishing; Halseide, Brett, 26.40, Phone reimb; Halseide, Diana, 26.40, Phone reimb; Harland Clarke, 372.90, supply; Health Pool of SD, 1,928.80, insurance; J.P. Cooke, 105.95, supply; Jurgens Auto Body, 401.05, fuel; Jurgens C-Store, 237.16, fuel; Minnwest Bank Visa, 435.06, Supply; NIS, 17.50, insurance; Office Peeps, 8.16, supply; Otter Tail Power, 1,606.03, utility; RC Technologies, 165.84, utility; Reil Repair, 37.26, supply; Roberts County Treasurer, 1,028.08, service; SDPAA, 26,631.35, insurance; SD Retirement, 747.72, 403b contribution; SD State Treasurer, 279.29, sales tax; Valley Office, 24.59, supply; Wilmot Fire Department, 6,000.00, equipment; Wilmot Foods, 5.07, supply; Wilmot Lumber, 269.77, supply; Wilmot Plumbing, 415.06, service; Zempel, Zachery, 33.00, Phone reimb; United States Treasurer, 1,706.06, WH-SS-Medicare liability; Admin Salaries, 2,028.47; Garbage Salaries, 1,088.20; Street Salaries, 2,247.78; Library Salaries, 811.33.
WATER: Delta Dental, 12.78, insurance; Delta Vision, 2.26, insurance; Grant-Roberts Rural Water, 5,434.80, utility; Halseide, Brett, 3.30, Phone reimb; Halseide, Diana, 3.30, Phone reimb; Health Pool of SD, 200.40, insurance; Maguire, 2,500.00, service; Otter Tail Power, 28.66, utility; RC Technologies, 52.79, utility; SDPAA, 2,674.96, insurance; SD Public Health Lab, 20.00, samples; USDA Rural Dev, 1,356.00, water loan; Valley Office, 24.58, supply; SD Retirement, 93.46, 403b contribution; United States Treasurer, 180.46, WH-SS-Medicare liability; Water Salaries, 521.44.
SEWER: Delta Dental, 12.78, insurance; Delta Vision, 2.26, insurance; Halseide, Brett, 3.30, Phone reimb; Halseide, Diana, 3.30, Phone reimb; Health Pool of SD, 200.40, insurance; Pollardwater, 57.91, supply; RC Technologies, 16.45, utility; SDPAA, 293.78, insurance; USDA Rural Dev, 977.00, sewer loan; Valley Office, 24.58, supply; SD Retirement, 93.46, 403b contribution; United States Treasurer, 180.46, WH-SS-Medicare liability; Sewer Salaries, 521.44.
Butler Motioned to accept and approve the disbursements. Hansen seconded. Roll Call Vote of Aye: Butler, Dorosh, Winge, Hansen, Hook. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Financial Reporting ending February 28, 2026 was submitted to Council by Finance Officer Halseide and reported as: Checking $921,647.53; Savings $403,193.85; SRF Checking $16,082.95; SRF Debt Reserve CD $209,279.97; RD Water Debt Reserve CD $16,272.00; RD Sewer Debt Reserve CD $11,274.00; Petty Cash $200.00, Library; $23,667.02
February Income (included above)
General Fund $29,129.59
Sewer Fund $14,764.37
Water Fund $12,866.88
TOTAL INCOME $56,760.84
February Expenses (included above)
General Fund $25,140.91
Sewer Fund $9,036.75
SRF Fund $18,825.00
Water Fund $7,367.85
TOTAL EXPENSE $60,370.51
February NET: <$3,609.67>
Council reviewed the February 2026 financial statements, sales recap, and outstanding receivables.
Butler Motioned to accept and approve the City Financials for February 2026 and the end of year budget review as submitted by FO Halseide. Hansen seconded. All voted Aye, Motion carried.
Interim Librarian Argo submitted the February 2026 Library Minutes and the February 2026 financials for the Wilmot Public Library. The 2025 Annual Library Survey was not provided.
Butler Motioned to accept and approve the Library Minutes for February 2026 and the Library Financial Statement for February 2026, as submitted by Interim Librarian Argo. Winge seconded. All voted Aye, Motion carried.
Old Business:
Fraud prevention died due to lack of motion.
No further discussion on the Fire Department Budget.
Hansen Motioned to table Lake Township’s clay purchase until further notice. Dorosh seconded. All voted Aye. Motion carried.
602 1st Ave utilities died due to lack of motion.
Hook Motioned to approve the purchase of 500 tons of gravel from Peter’s Gravel, LLC at $12.20 per ton. Hansen seconded. Roll Call Vote of Aye: Butler, Dorosh, Winge, Hansen, Hook. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Hansen Motioned to approve FO Halseide mailing the drafted letter of invite to all townships around the City to a special meeting with an amended format from Wilmot Fire Department to Wilmot Rural Fire & Rescue Department for April 9th at 7 p.m. Dorosh seconded. All Voted Aye. Motion carried.
New Business:
Hansen Motioned to forgive the current utility account balance for the property located at 811 1st Street due to the passing of the property owner and to cease future billing until the property is under new ownership. Hook seconded. Roll call vote of Aye: Butler, Dorosh, Winge, Hansen, Hook. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Butler Motioned to approve the publishing of a call for Hay Land Bids for a 2026-2028 lease with a starting bid of $777/annually, a bid closing date of April 10, 2026,at 4 p.m. and a bid opening date of April 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Wilmot City Office. Hook seconded. All voted Aye. Motion carried.
Butler Motioned to approve the renewal of the one-year rental space lease agreement with Main Attraction Salon at a rate of $350 per month, concluding on March 31, 2027. Winge seconded. All voted Aye. Motion carried.
Hansen Motioned to have FO Halseide mail letters to businesses that previously advertised at the Wilmot Softball Field requesting new banners to continue advertising. Dorosh seconded. All voted Aye. Motion carried.
Butler Motioned to have PW Halseide purchase and pick up a quantity of two 14.00R20 tires advertised by Huron Distribution Site for the Fire Department 6x6 vehicle at the cost of $250 per tire. Hansen seconded. Roll call vote of Aye: Butler, Dorosh, Winge, Hansen, Hook. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Hook Motioned to approve the library staff an additional eight hours per week for the months of May, June, and July, to not exceed 96 hours total for all staff hours, for the Wilmot Library’s Summer Reading Program. Hansen seconded. Roll call vote of Aye: Butler, Dorosh, Winge, Hansen, Hook. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Dorosh Motioned for a five-minute recess at 7:51 p.m. Hansen seconded. All voted Aye. Motion carried.
Mayor Zempel declared the meeting back in session at 7:55 p.m.
Butler Motioned to purchase the remaining bound Wilmot Enterprise newspapers provided by Wallaceburg Bookbinding in the amount of $425.97. Hansen seconded. Roll call vote of Aye: Butler, Dorosh, Winge, Hansen, Hook. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Butler Motioned to approve the verbal quote of $160 from Cole Wittrock and to have the city office closed for carpet cleaning. Winge seconded. Roll Call vote of Aye: Butler, Dorosh, Winge, Hansen, Hook. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Hook Motioned to table discussions on a time clock system for city employees. Hansen seconded. Aye: Dorosh, Winge, Hansen, Hook. Nay: Butler. Motion carried.
Hansen Motioned to approve the SDPAA 2026 Liability & General Insurance Policies with statements of building, property, and equipment values for the City of Wilmot and for Mayor Zempel to sign all memorandums and agreements on behalf of the City. Butler seconded. Roll call vote of Aye: Butler, Dorosh, Winge, Hansen, Hook. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Hansen Motioned to table discussion on the City’s Garbage Ordinance until a later date after review and research has been completed by Council. Dorosh seconded. All voted Aye. Motion carried.
Dorosh Motioned to declare Ordinance No 345: Code of Ordinances as having its second reading. Hansen seconded. All voted Aye. Motion carried.
Hansen Motioned to approve and adopt Ordinance No 345: Code of Ordinances, as read, and to go into effect in 20 days on March 30, 2026. Winge seconded. Roll Call vote of Aye: Butler, Dorosh, Winge, Hansen, Hook. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
The City of Wilmot Equalization Meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Wilmot City Office located at 725 Main Street.
A Special Council Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Wilmot Community Center.
The next Regular Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Wilmot City Office located at 725 Main Street.
At 8:27 p.m., Hansen Motioned to adjourn. Hook seconded. All voted Aye, Motion carried.
/s/ Zachery Zempel, Mayor
ATTEST
/s/ Diana Halseide,
Finance Officer
“The City of Wilmot is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.”
