The Monday night meeting of the council members for the city of Webster City, was dominated by the audit report prepared by Williams and Company, P.C. for the fiscal year 2024-2025.

The overall summary: it was a clean report. The city has a AA- rating, which is considered very good.

The presentation was made by Johanna Guhl representing the Williams and Company firm. She spent a few minutes summarizing the detailed 134 page report.

The fund balance, a large indicator of a city’s management of funds, was “sitting well” with the auditors notation that this was a good thing.

“Our reserve levels are in a good position,” said John Harrenstein, city manager, “although some of the funds are restricted, overall the city is in good shape.”

Only one slight error was noted in the report. It was attributed to a debt service bond, where the budget figure was too low, a number that needed to be amended.

The report included a summary of the economic factors facing Webster City. One of the concerns was maintaining population, based on the age of its residents, but a positive note was reflected with the steps being taken to address economic growth and housing for the future.

The work with the Hamilton County Economic Development Alliance was alluded to early in the report, and later a direct positive notation in the summary.

Another high point was that the Brewer Creek subdivision had four new homes built during the year in addition to the new subdivision which is being planned by Kading Properties.

Harrenstein seemed happy with the report, and passed the credit on to Wolfgram.

“Taxpayers can be confident that the finances of the city are under great supervision with Dodie Wolfgram and the guidance of the board,” he said.

There are several issues coming up that may raise some concerns with Harrenstein.

“The Corn Belt Power increase is a concern,” he said, “and the state property tax bills.

“I understand the need for reform, but it will be challenging for city and county government.”

His reference to the property tax reform bills are three bills still under study in both the Iowa House and Senate.

The only other significant report was a quick update from Woodruff Construction on the Water Treatment Plant. Two unplanned repairs had to be handled, which included a hoist beam modification and a front door replacement.

The next meeting of the city council will be March 2.