A major decision taken by council at Monday’s meeting was passage of the third reading of a proposed across-the-board increase in water rates.
The new rates, affecting both base and volume charges, will provide funds to maintain operation of the present treatment plant for a hoped-for minimum of five years, and begin accumulating funds for construction of a new plant.
Customers will see the new rates on their January 2024 water bills.
The Council moved quickly to deal with this key matter by instructing city Finance Director Dodie Wolfgram to work with Public Financial Management, of Des Moines, the city’s retained consultants on the project, to analyze several scenarios for financing a new water treatment plant, while keeping rate increases as low as possible.
The adopted plan calls for a 30% increase January 1, 2024; a further increase of 20% August 1, 2025; and a third increase of 5% effective August 1,2026.
In her memorandum to the Council, Wolfgram noted analysis of cash flow and rates continues, emphasizing that recommended increases, especially for 2025, 2026 and beyond, could still change.
In other actions, the council heard recommendations from police, recreation & public grounds, and public works, proposing year-end purchases of equipment, software, and services for daily operations. All were approved. Here’s a short summary:
The Webster City Police Department must replace its in-car and body cameras as the present cameras, purchased in 2015, are in poor condition. The maker of the cameras, Watchguard, is now owned by Motorola; replacement parts are difficult to obtain. Police Chief Shiloh Mork said Motorola’s customer service can take, “days, not hours, to respond.” After considering three possible replacement systems, Mork recommended a proposal from Utility, Inc. which relies on artificial intelligence (AI), and will cost $159,201 over a five-year contract. This system is in use in municipal police departments in cities large and small, including Dewitt, Iowa; Winona, Minnesota; and Liberty, Missouri; and in county sheriff’s departments in St. Louis, Missouri, and Houston,Texas.
Recreation & Public Grounds Director Breann Lesher asked the Council to approve and fund the replacement of a 25-year-old power tilt trailer which is used to transport mowers, picnic tables and other equipment. The estimated cost, $18,000, is in the city’s previously-approved capital equipment budget. She also asked for the establishment of a new sub-fund at Enhance Hamilton County Foundation to accumulate donations from persons or organizations wishing to support rejuvenation of the baseball fields at Nokomis Park.
A contract for fiscal year 2024 stump removal was approved. The successful bidder was Goodpaster Tree Service, Webster City, who proposed to do the work for $3.25 per inch of stump material. Contract specifications require stumps be ground to 12 inches below ground level, back-filled with dirt, and grass seed applied.
In its final action of the evening, council voted to extend an offer of employment to an unnamed candidate for the position of interim city manager. An offer will be made, and the candidate must accept before he or she can be named, hired and sworn in. The Council has made this matter a top priority since former City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez accepted an offer to become assistant city manager in Ennis, Texas. As the first matter of business, an email was sent to all city employees, asking anyone on staff with an interest in the job to come forward for an interview. None did. Thereafter, applications from outside Webster City were sought and the Council has conducted five interviews thus far.
View this article as it originally appeared in the Daily Freeman-Journal.
Last modified: December 20, 2023