Beckler retires after 31 years with the City of Grant

April 29 marked the final day of Gary Beckler’s 31 years with the City of Grant. City Superintendent Edward Dunn said Beckler retired 31 years to the day from when he started with the city.

Beckler turns over his duties as public utilities foreman to Bill Taylor. His first official day on the job was May 1. 

Beckler was recognized Thursday with a small reception to mark his final day. 

Sheriff contract approved

On Monday, April 26, Grant city council members gave their approval to an extension of their contract with the Perkins County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement coverage for the city. 

Sheriff Jim Brueggeman said the contract increased 3% this year for all of the municipalities the Sheriff’s Office serves. 

He noted that two years ago, the contract went down 3.1% and did not increase last year. 

He cited personnel costs and higher fuel costs among reasons for the increase. The City of Grant will pay $96,903 for the year. 

Council members also recognized library employees Val Fisher and Sarah Pick for five years of service, as of November 2020.

Tim Taylor was recognized for 10 years at the cemetery caretaker.

Dunn said the recognitions had been delayed due to COVID-19,

In other action, council members adopted a new personnel manual. Dunn said the previous manual had not been updated since 2005.

The council has been working on the update since January. 

One of the last sticking points was developing policy for how employees are paid when responding to after-hours calls and emergencies.