City voters approved a mill levy to support ambulance service in 1980. Highway 45, which bisects Cooperstown, was resurfaced in 1980. Rental and hourly work rates for the project:
| Sweeper and Bobcat operator | $27.50 |
| Motor grader with operator hauling | 20.00 |
| Small truck with driver hauling | 15.00 |
| Large truck with driver | 20.00 |
| Gravel | 3.75/yd. Delivered |
| Labor, regular force | 7.50 |
| Labor, part-time | 5.00 |
In 1981 the city re-established a mill levy for the city band. Looking to the future, the council began to develop a plan to combat the Dutch Elm Disease threat. Some diseased elm trees had been found in the county.
Funding was obtained for a long-discussed water treatment plant to replace the 1920 system, and at the end of 1981, a contract was let to Sornsin Construction for the project.
Source: Cooperstown, North Dakota 1882-1982 Centennial page 35