Colby City Council Returns to City Hall, Approves Clean Audit and Community Event Requests
April 20, 2026
The Colby City Council returned to its traditional meeting space at City Hall on April 21, marking a shift back from recent meetings held at the Colby Event Center due to limited public attendance at the alternate venue.
Mayor Lee Leiker called the meeting to order with a full council present. Members quickly approved the consent agenda and moved into a light agenda that nonetheless featured several key updates on city finances, community events, and ongoing projects.
The primary item of new business centered on the city’s 2025 financial audit. Kim Bolling of Adams Brown presented the report via Zoom, delivering what officials described as a “clean” opinion. Bolling noted that the city’s financial statements were fairly presented and that cash balances remained steady throughout the year, with no significant fluctuations across individual funds.
The audit also found no compliance issues or statutory violations, and the city remained within its approved budget parameters. Bolling emphasized that internal processes, including account reconciliation and financial reporting, were handled accurately and consistently. Council members and staff credited City Finance Director Deb Zerr for maintaining strong financial oversight, with multiple officials praising the department’s organization and transparency during the audit process.
In other action, the council approved a request from the Play 315 committee to temporarily close Grant Street between Second and Third streets on May 1 for a May Day Carnival fundraiser. The event, which will include food trucks, games, and family activities, is intended to raise funds for local playground improvements. Organizers cited child safety as the primary reason for the street closure, particularly with increased foot traffic expected during the event.
The council also approved a new three-year agreement with Glassman Corporation for cleaning and inspecting equipment at the Colby Event Center at an annual cost of $7,455. City officials noted that while the cost increased from the previous contract, the company’s service has been reliable and remains essential for maintaining the facility’s systems.
Discussion on the proposed 2027 budget schedule was tabled as city staff await clarity on pending state legislation that could impact budget planning timelines and constraints.
The meeting concluded with a brief executive session for the evaluation of City Manager Ron Alexander. No action was taken following the session.
During reports and discussions, council members received updates on several ongoing initiatives, including progress on the Webster waterline project and developments related to a city-owned hangar at the airport. Officials reported that the hangar project is expected to cost significantly less than initially estimated due to a substantial grant, reducing the city’s financial obligation to approximately $82,000.
Additional topics included upcoming council photo retakes, continued evaluation of new water rate management software, and concerns raised about the use of motorized scooters and dirt bikes within city limits. City staff indicated further research would be conducted before bringing recommendations back to the council.
The meeting adjourned with no further action.