Sheldon Council Agrees to Archer Ambulance Solution ……. Hears Tax Levy Request From Pavillion Board

Sheldon, Iowa — After weeks of discussion, the communities involved in the Archer Ambulance situation have come together with a plan they can all agree on.

At a Sheldon City Council workshop Wednesday, with representatives of Archer, Sanborn and Primghar present, Richard Ludeke of the Archer City Council presented a proposal that found favor with all four communities. Ludeke said the City of Archer would set aside three thousand dollars per year for ambulance service. Then, each time an ambulance from Sheldon, Sanborn or Primghar was called to Archer, that community would receive a $350 donation from the Archer ambulance fund. After some discussion as to the logistics of the plan, Sheldon Councilmember Brad Hindt suggested that the present coverage map remain as it is. Then, if the ambulance called to their area could not respond, one of the other towns would automatically be called. The Sheldon council then directed City Attorney Micah Schreurs to draft a 28-E agreement which would have to be approved by all four communities involved.

The Sheldon Council also decided to table any decision about bidding on the ambulance that the City of Archer has for sale.

In other business, the council approved for budget discussion, the request from the Crossroads Pavillion Board to establish a property tax levy of 13 ½ cents to create a fund for maintenance and capital improvements at the events center. The request will be discussed during the budget workshop on January 29^th and 30^th. At their council meeting on February 20^th, the council will consider any changes in the proposed budget, which will be followed by a public hearing and council approval of the budget on March 6^th. The process will give the public ample time to respond to any budget proposals.

The council also approved a proposal to proceed with “phase one” of the development of Crossroads North Business Park, using funds that are now available. This phase would include a right-hand turning lane into the area that would facilitate a better flow of traffic. Then, the street from Highway 18 to a spot on the north side of lot one would be built. That would enable the Cenex Truck Stop to begin construction. The total cost of this phase is estimated at $868-thousand.