The Guthrie Center City Council met in regular session Monday.

The Council approved alcohol permit renewals for the Guthrie County Agricultural Society, Prime Time Restaurant and Apres Bar Company and GMS Production, tobacco permit renewals for Dollar General and Hometown Foods. They also approved a building permit for the 100 block of N 1st Street and a fencing permit for the 200 block of S 5th Street.

Street Department Superintendent Darin Sloss shared progress information on the Grand Street project, electrical bids for Mitchell Park, and that he had found a new truck for the streets department. The Council approved the purchase of the 2022 Chevy Silverado and trade in of the 2006 Chevy Silverado the department has as a down payment.

The Council then heard from President of the Little Charger Early Learning Center Board Laura Robson about the status of fundraising and construction of their new facility. Roughly $1.4 million has been raised to date of the estimated $2.067 million needed. The main purpose of the presentation was to ask for a letter of financial support and loan guarantee should the group be unable to raise the last of the funds necessary for completion of the project. After some discussion it was approved to back the project as a last resort after other avenues had been exhausted. Should that happen, the City will be the first to be paid back, and will take title of the building should the load default or the ELC facility would no longer be in business.

The Council then approved the Workman’s Compensation Renewal after hearing from State Street Insurance Owner Becky Benton. They then discussed renewal of the 28E agreement with the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, and City Clerk Kris Arrasmith will prepare an agreement for the 2023-24 year. Clerk Arrasmith then gave the City Hall report, and the Council approved the purchase agreement with Alliant Energy for the wooden poles, overhead wire and other electrical equipment in Mitchell Park.