The mayor reported that staff are still reconciling October financial statements and postponed a scheduled review because a finance staff member was ill. He said staff are working to confirm school deposit accounts, resolve a negative fire-insurance entry and clean up donations and flexible-spending postings before finalizing October numbers. "We need to find a better way to handle the donations in Fund 96," the mayor said, describing several ledger entries that require audit confirmation.

On revenues, the mayor said December sales tax was down by about $95,000 while use tax rose roughly $71,000, leaving combined receipts around $1.21 million, which he described as "right in the direction we wanna go" despite a recent economic shutdown period. He added the city will consider targeted incentives and marketing to support retailers during the holidays.

The mayor announced a one-time employee bonus that will hit payroll this week and described the payment as averaging about $750 per person. "The bonus will average out...to about $750 per person," he said, and noted the city also absorbed recent insurance premium increases for employees.

On development, the mayor listed prospective commercial projects expected to boost revenues, including a Casey's convenience store, a proposed filling station, a coffee shop submitting plans and other private projects that he said have reduced citywide vacancy to "less than 15" retail spots. He said the city is pursuing registration as a film-friendly community with the Department of Commerce to attract productions and related spending.

Council discussion also touched on strategic options the city could use to spur redevelopment. One council member proposed exploring special revenue sources to acquire rundown properties and convey them to small businesses rather than relying solely on nuisance abatement processes. The mayor said proceeds from a potential sale of the police station — after repaying debts and honoring an agreement that allows the EDTA to recoup its investment — could be retained to finance citywide economic-development incentives.

The mayor and council briefly discussed the idea of a citywide tax-increment financing (TIF) approach targeted at smaller retail projects, with an emphasis on careful, locally focused incentives rather than large industrial recruitment. No formal decision was taken; council members characterized these items as discussion points and possible directions for future action.

The mayor closed by noting there is currently no discussion of raising taxes for Pryor Creek and reiterated that midyear budget adjustments will depend on the results of the reconciliations and audit confirmations.