Sheldon, Iowa — This week’s Sheldon City Council meetings were short affairs. The first one, a special meeting to hold a public hearing about the tax levy lasted a total of five minutes. The regular meeting was even shorter, clocking in at a total of four minutes, 40 seconds, and the first minute and 13 seconds was the opening, moment of silence, pledge of allegiance, and approving the agenda for the meeting.
At the hearing, no comments were mailed in or were made at the meeting. City Manager Sam Kooiker says this hearing was for the entire levy. He says the city’s wages increased by four percent and the grant ended for their eighth police officer, so the city is fully funding that position. There was also a ten-percent increase in health and workers comp insurance and a 30 percent increase in property and casualty insurance. There were also higher costs for utilities and fuel. There was also new construction and growth, plus additional building permits. That statement was on the notice that was sent to every household. Yet, Kooiker notes that if you have a $100,000 piece of property that hasn’t increased in value, the taxes will go down by 15.01%.
At the regular meeting, the council approved the consent agenda unanimously. Click here for a link to our preview story where you can see what was on the consent agenda.
In new business, they set April 17th as the public hearing date for the full budget adoption.
Council member and Fire Chief Brad Hindt told the council and the public that the Sheldon Fire Company has been asked to help with an elevator burn in Sibley. That’s been scheduled for April 27th. He says the Sheldon aerial truck will be making the trip.
Public Works Director Todd Uhl reminded the council and public that there will be a ribbon cutting at the Sheldon Water Plant to commemorate the hooking up of Lewis & Clark Water. The water has actually been connected since December. Local, state, and federal dignitaries will be present. The ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23rd.
Uhl also says they started filling the new water tower on Monday, but there were some issues, so they’re going to make some adjustments and try again next week.
