By Shannon Wright
The Town of Sibley faced a full agenda during its regular town hall meeting Monday, January 12.
Josephine Sears, a Sibley resident who attends nearly every council meeting, consistently encourages others to do the same.
“I think it’s nice to know what’s going on in your community,” Sears said. “You can sit at home and complain all you want to, but unless you come and get involved … ask questions … you’ll never know. We can all criticize – nobody is perfect and no city is perfect; no community is perfect, but this little town is trying. Get involved. Come to the meetings.”
With the start of a new year, town officials echoed that sentiment, noting that now is an ideal time for residents to become more engaged.
Sears also took time to publicly praise Sibley Police Chief Jeremy Robinson, saying he has consistently been available to her during particularly vulnerable situations.
“I appreciate good police officers, and he has been a good police officer, and I stand by him,” she said. Alderman John Langford and Mayor Robert Smart both echoed her appreciation for the chief’s service.
Sears reminded the council of the long-overdue road construction project completed last year.
While much of that work is finished, there remains a curve that still needs additional asphalt. Chief Robinson also brought the need for double striping in that area to the council’s attention.
Council members emphasized that community feedback is essential, as they rely on residents’ “eyes and ears” to help improve the town.
As with many early-year council meetings, a significant portion of the discussion focused on the town’s annual audit. Travis Morehart, the town’s CPA, presented the report and explained that this year’s audit was more extensive due to federal funds received through the state.
“This audit was a pretty extensive audit because of the federal money you got through the state,” Morehart said. Those funds were used for major 2025 projects, including the Saltworks water project and road construction. “Any time you get the federal government involved, it doubles up your work,” he added. Despite the added complexity, Morehart said he was pleased with the town’s financial records. “I didn’t have any trouble following them or with documentation,” he said, offering praise to Town Clerk Sherry McCann and the town staff for their organization and diligence.
The audit revealed no negative findings, and the town remains in good financial standing. “You’ve got a lot going on for a small community,” Morehart noted.
Smart also shared updates on upcoming projects. Funds previously appropriated for recreation need to be utilized, and the council is considering several options, including a pickleball court or additional playground equipment near the splash pad. A workshop has been scheduled for January 29 to discuss how best to use those funds. Money has also been set aside for sewer-related projects, which will also be discussed.
In an effort to manage rising costs, the town is working to reduce expenses by selling unused or rarely used vehicles.
“We started looking at our insurance on vehicles and structures in town, and the 20 percent they said they were going up…they hit their mark,” Smart said. With insurance costs increasing, the council determined it is no longer practical to keep assets that are not being used.
“So, anything that we’ve got that we’re not utilizing, we’re going to get rid of it,” he said. A public hearing on the matter is set for February 9, at 6 p.m. during the regular council meeting.
For updates, announcements, and upcoming events, residents are encouraged to follow the Sibley Town Hall Facebook page.
The mayor and council continue to stress the importance of community involvement and remind residents that town council meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. All residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.