Spencer public meetings in 2025
11 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Meeting
The Spencer Board of Trustees approved routine items including minutes, financial reports, and payment of bills totaling over $8,000. They also addressed a citizen's nuisance complaint by providing a copy of the ordinance and requesting cleanup. A surplus property evaluation was tabled until the next meeting.
- Bills paid include $1,810.33 to Hanson Rural Water, $1,575.00 to Addy Disposal Service, and $1,239.00 to SDML Workers’ Compensation Fund
- Citizen concern addressed: property cleanup requested under nuisance ordinance
- Surplus property evaluation tabled until next meeting
- Santa visit and free-will donation meal scheduled for December 20, 2025 at Spencer Event Center
- Next regular meeting set for December 12, 2025
Meeting
The Spencer Board of Trustees approved routine minutes, financial reports, and bills. They declared two empty lots adjacent to Sandy and Monty Johnson's property as surplus, opening the door for a potential sale. No progress was reported on contacting other towns about future street projects, and the city may take further action on one property that has not responded to smoke test or nuisance letters.
- Declared empty lots adjacent to Sandy and Monty Johnson's property as surplus property
- No progress on contacting other towns regarding future street projects; tabled to next meeting
- City may take further action on one property not responding to smoke test or nuisance letter
- Approved bills totaling approximately $7,000 including payroll, utilities, and services
- Next regular meeting set for November 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center
Meeting
The Spencer Board of Trustees approved the second reading of Ordinance #265-2026 (Appropriations Ordinance), a fowl permit with a fence-building requirement, and a haying permit. They also discussed a letter from McCook County Highway Department ending street work assistance, smoke test follow-up letters, and a solution for delayed water sample delivery to Pierre.
- Second reading and approval of Ordinance #265-2026 Appropriations Ordinance
- Fowl permit approved with stipulation to apply for a building permit for a chicken-pen fence
- Haying permit approved as presented
- McCook County Highway Department will no longer perform street work for Spencer
- Bills paid totaling several thousand dollars, including $1,433.70 for mosquito spray and $1,702.05 sewer surcharge
Meeting
The Spencer Board of Trustees held its regular meeting, approving the agenda, minutes, finance report (with corrections), and bills. The board accepted the 2026 budget and held the first reading of Appropriation Ordinance #265. A guest discussed new election laws effective January 1, 2026, and the next meeting was set for September 12, 2025.
- Approved bills totaling over $18,000, including $9,969.50 to ProSeal Inc. for repairs and maintenance
- Accepted the 2026 budget as presented
- First reading of 2026 Appropriation Ordinance #265
- School Park improvements nearly complete; pickleball court equipment install pending
- Five letters sent to residents affected by smoke testing
Meeting
The Spencer Board of Trustees met in regular session on July 14, 2025, approving the agenda, prior meeting minutes, the finance officer's report, and a list of bills totaling over $13,000. The board also discussed School Park improvements, with an estimated mid-July arrival for contractor ProSeal, and held a discussion on budget items.
- Approved payment of bills including $1,697.35 to Hanson Rural Water, $1,218.00 to Addy Disposal Service, and $2,825.00 to Push, Pedal, Pull, Inc. for the Coffee Shop
- Discussed School Park improvements with an ETA for ProSeal in mid-July
- Held discussion on budget items
- Next regular meeting scheduled for August 13, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center
Meeting
The Board voted to deny a fowl permit for 10 chickens submitted by Larry Barrett, but discussion was tabled until the next meeting. They also discussed park improvements, sewer smoke test results, and responded to a resident's improperly submitted proposal. The meeting included approval of minutes, payroll, and bills totaling over $9,000.
- Motion to deny Larry Barrett's fowl permit for 10 chickens; tabled until next meeting
- Discussion on School Park improvements; pickleball equipment received, basketball hoops fixed
- Sewer smoke test results: letters to be sent to affected landowners
- Bills approved: $1,506.45 to Hanson Rural Water, $1,488.00 to Addy Disposal Service, $1,702.05 sewer surcharge
- Resident Bob Hopper's proposal deemed improperly submitted; no action taken
Meeting
The Spencer Board of Trustees held a regular meeting, adopted Ordinance #264 on flood-damage prevention after a second reading, and approved a bid from ProSeal Incorporated for crack sealing and sand sealcoating the basketball court and Event Center parking lot. The board also reorganized for the 2025-2026 term, electing officers and assigning duties, and discussed fowl permit concerns and vegetation enforcement.
- Adopted Ordinance #264 adopting Flood Damage Prevention Regulations
- Approved ProSeal Incorporated bid for crack seal & sand sealcoat at school lot basketball court and Event Center parking lot
- Reorganized board: Donna Ruden as President, Kevin Mentele as Vice President, Ron Reif assigned Public Safety, Mentele assigned Public Works, Ruden assigned Finance
- Approved paying bills totaling $8,000+ including utilities, payroll, and services
- Discussed fowl permit inconsistencies and citizen concerns about chicken limits and mosquito spraying
Meeting
The Spencer Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of Co-Zoning Officer Bob Hopper and held the first reading of Ordinance #264 adopting flood damage prevention regulations. The board also approved a new agenda format, certified election results, and paid bills totaling over $9,000.
- Ordinance #264 (Flood Damage Prevention Regulations) had its first reading
- Co-Zoning Officer Bob Hopper submitted and board accepted his resignation
- Bills paid include $1,104.50 for sewer maintenance at 3rd & Wilcox St.
- Election results certified: Donna M. Ruden (56 votes), Robert L. Hopper (14 votes)
- New agenda format approved for future meetings
Meeting
The Spencer Board of Trustees approved a chicken permit with conditions (5 hens, no roosters), declared school park playground equipment surplus for removal due to insurance liability, and approved the annual fire department roster. The board also set election board pay at $200 per member and finalized ballot order for the upcoming election.
- Chicken permit approved for 5 hens, no roosters, after applicant asked to redraw site plan
- Playground equipment at school park declared surplus and ordered removed due to insurance liability
- Volunteer Fire Department roster approved annually for insurance purposes
- Election board members approved at $200 per day; ballot order set: Donna Ruden first, Robert Hopper second
- Bills paid include $8,741.83 to McCook County Highway Dept. for crack sealing city streets
Meeting
The Spencer Board of Trustees approved a water rate increase for usage over 1,000 gallons, adopted the 2024 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan for McCook County, and discussed zoning violations and a fowl permit. They also approved several purchases and set dates for future meetings.
- Resolution #246: water rate over 1,000 gallons raised from $0.50 to $0.75 per 100 gallons
- Resolution #247: adopted 2024 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan for McCook County
- Approved purchase of backup circulator pump for water tower
- Zoning officer drafted letters to owners of two dilapidated properties
- Approved purchase of new treadmill and repair of stationary bike at Coffee Shop
Meeting
The Spencer Board of Trustees approved 2025 salaries with no changes, set a trustee election for April 8, 2025, and authorized the finance officer to pay bills between meetings to avoid late fees. The board also discussed a fowl permit request, Santa's visit, and sewer line capping after smoke testing.
- Approved 2025 salaries: Board President $65/meeting + $1,000 annually, Trustees $60/meeting + $900 annually, Maintenance $20/hour, Finance Officer $16/hour
- Set trustee election for Tuesday, April 8, 2025; petitions available from January 31
- Authorized finance officer to pay bills between meetings to avoid late fees
- Approved payment of bills totaling over $12,000 including $2,696.52 for annual ambulance service
- Larry Barrett asked board to reconsider his fowl permit