Vermillion City Council Meeting – January 21, 2026
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Vermillion City Council Meeting – January 21, 2026
The Vermillion City Council met on January 21, 2026, to consider electric rate adjustments, utility extension planning, and janitorial service contracting. The meeting was called to order at 6 PM with all council members present.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jim Peterson, representing the Chamber of Commerce, expressed support for the utility extension project at Princeton Street and SD Highway 50 bypass, noting that the Grow Vermillion campaign may provide funding for engineering costs.
Discussion Items
Resolution Adjusting Electric Rates
- John Prescott, city finance director, presented the resolution to adopt the second and third years of a three-year electric rate increase, effective March 15, 2026, and March 15, 2027. The increase is approximately 2% for residential single-family customers and includes adjustments to the customer service charge and energy/demand rates. The utilities committee reviewed the proposal on December 29. Council discussed comparisons with other municipalities; Vermillion remains on the lower end. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
Resolution to Extend Utilities Under SD Highway 50 Bypass at Princeton Street
- John Prescott described a proposal to extend 12-inch water and 15-inch sanitary sewer lines northward under the highway to serve annexed land. Estimated costs: $100,000 for water, $250,000 for sewer. The resolution authorizes design and bidding; the council retains final approval. The utilities committee and the council’s noon meeting on January 5 discussed it. Councilor Hellwig noted that grant opportunities were limited. Councilor January asked about budget implications; no competing projects have emerged. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
Bid Award for Janitorial Services
- José presented bids opened on January 14. Low bid of $48,857/year from Service Master of Southeast South Dakota (current contractor). The second bid had an irregularity and was adjusted to $100,364.76/year. Staff recommended awarding to Service Master. The 2026 budget includes sufficient funds. The council approved the low bid unanimously.
City Manager’s Report
- Upcoming meetings: Library Board on January 21; Business Improvement District #1 on January 27; Public input meeting on SD Highway 50 on January 26 at 6 PM in council chambers.
- Administrative: Plat filed for Lot 3A of AMS Industrial Park (parcel deeded by Masaba).
- Vacancies on Human Relations Commission: one term to May 2026 and one to May 2027; applications due by January 22.
- Raffle notifications approved for St. Agnes Knights of Columbus (NCAA basketball and Monday Night Football), Eagles Club, and Vermillion After Prom (Super Bowl squares). Details provided.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution adopting electric rate increases for 2026 and 2027 passed unanimously.
- Resolution to proceed with design and bidding for utility extension under SD Highway 50 bypass passed unanimously.
- Contract for janitorial services awarded to Service Master of Southeast South Dakota for $48,857/year, effective after current contract expires February 20, 2026.
- Council received city manager’s report and adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Vermillion City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January twentieth, twenty twenty-six at six PM. We'll come to order. Alex, will you call roll? Taller. Weaver. Price. Holland. Here. Gentleman. Howig? Cheese. Murray. Mayor Cole. Here. We please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands. I move to approve. Motion approved by Councillor Holland. Is there a second? Second. Second by Council Cheeseman. Any other discussion on the minutes? All in favor say aye. A second by Council Lever. Did you hear something, Council Holland? No. All those in favor of the agenda being adopted signified by saying aye. Agenda's hereby adopted. Visitors to be heard. For persons addressing the council, please use the microphone at the podium. Please raise your hand to be recognized and then go to the podium and state your name and address before being heard. For items not on the agenda, public testimony. Unless there's unanimous consent from the council or questions from council members are directed to a member of the public or staff through the presiding officer. Also for uh spirit. Also for visitors to be heard, if there's any items on the consent agenda, we also ask that you speak under visitors to be heard as well. Seeing none, uh first item we have is a public. You guys really want to. Dan, it sounds like the TV is not having any sound it started and now it's not. Should we back now? Okay. Hopefully that works. I promise I'm not just putting the dials. Thank you, Dan. Give it a second. This is true, that's fair. All right. New uh threw me off where we had resolution adjusting electric rates. Just in case. I know Dan's busy.
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