Cook public meetings in 2025
3 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
12.31.25 Special Council Meeting
The Cook City Council approved a one-year contract with Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) for $74,572, with a corrected contract version to include exclusions. The consultant, Shaun Hainey, will start January 5, 2026, working 24 hours per week but will not perform statutory clerk duties. The council also tabled discussion on purchasing the First National Bank building until further investigation, including a structural inspection by Bolton & Menk and potential grant funding.
- Approved hiring CEDA for 1 year at $74,572 (motion carried)
- Tabled First National Bank building purchase pending further investigation (motion carried)
12.18.25 TNT Meeting
The Cook City Council held a Truth in Taxation hearing to present the 2026 budget and levy options. Three levy increase options were presented (5%, 7%, and 9%), but no decision was made; the council will choose the percentage at a regular meeting via resolution. No public comments were received.
- Heard 2026 general fund budget with operating revenues of $796,280 and expenses of $808,790.37
- Presented 9% levy increase option totaling $578,673.03
- Presented 7% levy increase option totaling $568,055.17
- Presented 5% levy increase option totaling $557,437.32
- Deferred levy percentage decision to regular council meeting
- Adjourned at 6:10 PM
2025 December Council
The Cook City Council approved a 7% levy increase for fiscal year 2026, along with a 2.8% COLA for all city employees. The council also approved several infrastructure payments, including a water treatment facility improvement scope, and accepted a grant for ambulance services. A special meeting was scheduled for December 31 to discuss hiring a consulting firm to fill the vacant Administrator-Clerk/Treasurer position.
- Approved 7% levy increase for fiscal year 2026
- Approved 2.8% COLA increase for all city employees
- Approved $31,100 Water Treatment Facility Improvement and Copper Response Engineering Scope
- Approved $7,391 payment to Mesabi Bituminous for Partial Pay Estimate No. 2
- Approved $2,656.40 payment to JPJ Engineering for Eldien Residential
- Approved $48,280 sewer line project bid to ACA Excavating
- Approved $9,599.69 OEMS Ground Ambulance Cost Collection Grant
- Approved 4 hours holiday pay for Christmas Eve for full-time employees, 2 hours for part-time