ABOVE: Highway 15 in Truman may soon have a higher speed limit, per a study done by the Department of Transportation, and the city council discussed its options on Tuesday.

TRUMAN– With disappointment, the Truman City Council on Tuesday reviewed the findings of a speed study done on Highway 15. The study, done by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, recommends raising the speed limit on the road that cuts through town, while the council was originally hoping to have it lowered.

The council had wanted the study done as a sidewalk is going to be installed along that stretch of the highway and with it, some crosswalks.

Utility Foreman Brent Brown told the council that the next step would be to select one of the two options that were provided.

Option 1 is to install a 40 mph speed transition zone from 5th Street to 1st Street N. The speed would then lower to 35 mph through town.

Option 2 is to keep the speed limit signs where they are currently, but change the 30 mph to 35 mph.

Currently, the speed limit is 60 mph on either side of highway 15 but drops to 30 mph while going through the “town” stretch.

Mayor Jake Ebert didn’t agree with the findings of the study.

“They set the speed at 35 because they said that’s more in line with what they’re driving. Well, then they’re going to go 40,” Ebert said.

An email from Kari Madison with MnDOT, said, “The field data we collected is showing that traffic isn’t complying with the current speed zones and changes are necessary. There are two options for future speed zones on the north end of town that would both be acceptable to the state, so we wanted to ask the city for their preference.”

The email continues and says, “The data that was collected, both on the north and south end of town is showing that traffic is not following the currently posted 30 mph speed limit. The proposed 35 mph speed limit would be more in line with the speeds traffic is driving and help traffic go at a more consistent speed through town.”

Brown told the council that there was a disclaimer of sorts prior to the study that said whatever comes out of the study will get done whether the city liked it or not.

Ebert said that years ago the council was looking at doing a speed study but opted not to because it was afraid of an outcome like this.

“The whole reason we wanted it was to slow it down for the crosswalks, not speed it up,” Ebert said.

“I can’t believe that since everyone’s breaking the law, they’re going to raise the speed limit. That just makes zero sense,” said Council Member Chris Mosloski.

Ebert said he would like more of an explanation and to understand the reasoning behind it.

Mosloski suggested sending a letter asking for an explanation.

Council Member Danielle Williams said that if the council was absolutely stuck, she would prefer seeing them go with option 2.

Included in the information council was sent was a quote for new speed limit signs that would need to come along with the increase in the posted speed limit. The quote for the signs was $5,383.

Next, Brown went over some information on tree removal and replacement.

He said there are five trees at the park that he would like to remove this year and another five trees to be removed next year. At the cemetery there are seven trees to be taken down this fall and another seven or so next year.

He said his department will remove them and grind the stumps and if the council wants new trees planted they can do it next spring. He said the average cost per tree is around $150 for a total of about $1,800 between the parks and cemeteries.

The council voiced approval in moving forward with the plan to plant new trees next spring.

In other business, the council passed a motion to adopt ordinance 2025-03, regulating cannabis businesses in the city of Truman.

It also adopted an ordinance amendment to 801.04–public nuisances affecting peace and safety– to declare to be a nuisance, the placing, throwing or discharge of grass or lawn clippings or other organic yard debris onto the street or sidewalk. The council had first discussed issues with this at its first meeting in August.

The council on Tuesday also briefly discussed the 2026 budget and levy. Right now, the council is looking at a 9.8 percent levy increase. However, it does not need to adopt a preliminary budget and levy until the next meeting on Sept. 15 and won’t adopt the final budget and levy until December.

In other action, the council:

— Approved a job description for the public works maintenance position, which the city will post in the coming days.

— Approved putting out a Request for Proposal for snow removal services in the city. Bid opening will take place Oct. 7.

— Approved a quote of $4,083 from BevComm for new office computers.