Sheldon, Iowa — After no comments were heard during a public hearing at Wednesday’s meeting, the Sheldon City Council approved the contracts for deed on the old Sunset Motel and 1023 Garfield Avenue properties with Kerwin and Kathy Sterler. This is the final step in the effort to redevelop both nuisance properties and the Sterler’s plan to begin work on the projects soon.
A second public hearing was held on the City’s Fiscal Year 20-21 budget. The only comment was a letter from Marv Van Riesen and Concerned Citizens, asking the council to hold some of the budget meetings at 7 p.m. in the evening. He noted that this would allow those who don’t get off work or can’t make the earlier meetings enough time to attend and participate in the process. Hearing no other comments, the budget was passed by the council. Later in the meeting, council member Tom Eggers suggested that Van Riesen’s comments should be given some consideration in the future, and he urged the public to attend the budget workshops which may start at 4:30, but they often last until after 8 p.m.
The council also approved the mayor’s appointment of Scott Burtch as Police Chief. He will be sworn in at the April 15th council meeting. The council also heard a report of the audit of the City’s finances by Winther, Stave and Company. The Auditor’s said they found no material weaknesses in the City finances and noted an improved financial position, both in terms of interest received on cash balances and the pay-off of significant TIF debt in June of 2019. Winther, Stave and Company have been the city’s auditors for over twenty years, but city officials have shown their concern about not receiving the audit results in time for the budget workshops. Council member Brad Hindt stated that the city should look for another firm for the next audit, and that suggestion will be an agenda item at the next council meeting.
During Wednesday’s meeting, the council passed a resolution approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement for fiscal year 20-21 with the City Employees Union.
