As we begin 2026, the Big Lake City Council is adjusting its meeting schedule to better reflect the needs of our community and the work before us. Moving forward, the City Council will meet once per month instead of twice. Meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each month, with a Council Workshop starting at 5:00 pm and the regular City Council meeting beginning at 6:30 pm.

This change followed thoughtful discussion between the City Council and city staff. An important factor in this decision was the efficient use of city staff time and taxpayer resources. Preparing for and supporting City Council meetings requires significant work from multiple departments, both during and outside of normal business hours. By reducing the number of meeting nights each month, staff can spend more time focused on day-to-day operations and service delivery, rather than meeting preparation. This approach helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used as effectively as possible while still maintaining a high level of service and thoughtful decision-making.

Another reason for the adjustment is that the volume of council business has decreased since the city updated its zoning code in 2023, making things more efficient. With fewer items requiring council action, it made sense to consider whether our meeting schedule still matched the work before us. The goal is to operate more efficiently while continuing to provide open, effective local government. This change does not affect administrative approval authority, and city operations will continue as they always have.

As always, public participation is welcome! Residents are encouraged to attend meetings, share their perspectives, and stay engaged in local issues. Public input remains an important part of the decision-making process. If an issue arises that requires timely action that our new schedule cannot accommodate, Special City Council meetings can still be called as needed.

We also recognize that adjustments can take time. City staff and the City Council have agreed to stay in close communication and raise concerns if the new schedule is not working as intended. Local government should always be willing to listen, learn, and improve.

Thank you for your understanding and continued involvement in our community.