Litchfield City Council Approves a Resolution Awarding $10 Million in General Obligation Bonds

The Litchfield City Council approved of a resolution Tuesday evening awarding $10-million in general obligation bonds. Piper Sandler & Company of Minneapolis had the low interest rate of 3.6881%.

Mayor Ron Dingmann says Jason Aarsvold of Ehlers presented the information to the City Council and says it was a better interest rate than they had expected. He says $2-million will be used for the floor and dasher board project at the Civic Arena which is long-overdue, and $8-million will be money used up front for the LARC, but that money will be recouped with the city’s sales tax proceeds.

Mayor Dingmann says the Council approved of union contracts on Tuesday evening that had been negotiated with the Personnel Committee for the Police, Public Utilities and Public Works employees. He says the law enforcement contract was a little more complicated than the others.

Mayor Dingmann says the police contract includes cost of living adjustments of 5% for 2025, and 4% both in 2026 and 2027. He says the Public Works and Public Utilities contracts were similar with cost of living adjustments for both of 4% in each of the next 3 years – 2025, 2026 and 2027. A wage research comparison was also approved for all non-contract employees including fire and rescue personnel, and a report is expected within about 60 days.

Mayor Dingmann says the Litchfield City Council also approved of some items related to the façade grant including a request for proposal with New History for architectural services and more decisions on this process will be coming up at the February 3rd meeting. He says the Council also approved of tobacco licenses for Marathon on South Sibley Avenue and Speedway on East Highway 12 due to changes of ownership at those businesses.