Kris Arrasmith administers the oath of office to Mayor Roger Baird.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Oct. 12 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, Roger Baird was sworn in as the new mayor and led the meeting.
The council appointed two new members to the Downtown Enhancement Committee to replace Jim Vandevanter and Judy Hilgenberg. The new members will be Becky Peterson and Krissy Swensen.
City Administrator Kris Arrasmith noted that the city’s Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage for employees will be a premium increase of 17.35% effective Jan. 1, 2027. She added that in recent years, the premium has increased very little, including annual increases of only 1% or 3%.
“The last few years, we’ve been incredibly lucky with very minimal increases, so we were due for an increase,” Arrasmith said.
The council approved the rates as provided by Rod Rumelhart.
Doctor Steven Bascom and Library Director Jerri Hawkins were present to provide an update on the MJB Library. Bascom shared data on the number of patrons and on the numbers of materials borrowed. Bascom added that the library has three heat pumps that will need to be replaced in the near future.
The next regular meeting of the council will be Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.