By Mari Radtke
The Primghar Council approved a public hearing for February 9 for the sale of real estate owned by the city of Primghar. The property is a small building on the south side of the square referred to as the “New 2 U” building. The city was approached by an organization known as “Moving Mountains Movement.”
Council also approved the voluntary annexation of property near the business park into the city. The annexation “squares” the city to the east and includes some property that was once part of the airport. Property owners involved are Northwest REC, Dan and Rajeen Tonner and Nicholson & Edwards Grain Company.
The council also set the public hearing for the 2022-23 fiscal year maximum tax levy for February 9 as part of the regular council meeting. This public hearing, required by the State of Iowa is a public hearing for councils to explain to the public how much of the $8.10 per $1000 levy can be expected. The $8.10 loosely funds the general fund of a city. This public hearing will not reflect all levies. Primghar does expect to reimpose the employee benefits levy. Also on February 9 council set a public hearing to adopt the “Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan approved by FEMA. The approval positions the city to apply for and accept FEMA dollars in the event of an emergency.
The proposed budget amendment for the city for the current budget was held, receiving no public comments. The changes reflect the ARPA funds received by the city for COVID relief, and the purchase of the fire department’s attack truck, the new ambulance and golf course repairs.
Several resolutions were passed. Council approved through resolution the tax abatement for improvements to Lacy Enderson, Steven Vander Sluis and Ross and Kathy Miller. Resolutions to transfer matching $1000 for a grant from MRES toward the attack truck, to apply for up to 15% of funding from Iowa Finance Authority for the lagoon and to establish a “housing proceeds” fund were also all passed. The city sold its low-income property and want to be certain that the money flow from that source is easily traceable.