Morris council adopts cannabis ordinance, approves 2025 budget, contracts and several resolutions

MORRIS CITY — The Morris City Council took a series of legislative and administrative actions in a single meeting that included enacting a local cannabis business ordinance, adopting the final 2025 budget and tax levy, approving labor contracts and authorizing an engineering-services request for proposals.

Ordinance: On a recorded roll-call vote the council adopted Ordinance No. 127, an ordinance of the City of Morris to regulate cannabis businesses. City staff explained the ordinance delegates registration and some enforcement functions to the county while the local ordinance defines permissible zones for cannabis businesses and establishes distance requirements from schools, treatment facilities and daycares. "All ordinances need to be introduced; tonight is our second reading," Mayor Waller said before the roll call.

Budget and levy: City manager Becca told the council the final 2024 levy for collection in 2025 was adjusted from a preliminary 7.1% to a final increase of 5.4%, totaling $1,872,752 and including general fund, library fund and various GO bond payments. The final 2025 budget was presented as a general-fund ceiling near $5,000,000 (a 4.4% increase) and a total of roughly $14,218,006.73 across all funds. The council approved the final levy and adopted the budget by roll-call votes.

Labor and personnel: The council also approved a nonunion employee policy for 2025–2027 with wage increases (3.5% in 2025, 3.25% in 2026 and 2027) and stepped-grade tables; the policy includes paid family medical leave provisions split 50/50 between employer and employee and a meet-and-confer clause if premiums exceed 1%. Labor contracts with AFSCME Local 2022 (public works unit and general unit) for 2025–2027 were also approved; public-works language included a CDL-related limitation on use of sick/safe time during certain duty conditions.

Legal services and engineering RFP: Council approved a consulting agreement with Madden Gallanther Hansen PLLC for employment and labor law matters and authorized staff to advertise an RFP for engineering services so the city can solicit proposals (including the incumbent firm) and evaluate alternatives.

Procedure and voting: Multiple motions were made and seconded; roll-call votes were used for ordinances and resolutions. For each contract and resolution the council recorded aye votes and the motions carried.

What's next: The adopted budget goes into effect as described in municipal procedures; staff will return with RFP responses for engineering services after the January closing date and will continue to implement labor and personnel policy changes.