The Primghar City Council met in regular session on Wednesday January 11. It passed its consent agenda without discussion. Within the consent agenda was adoption of that evening’s agenda, the last council minutes, library and golf board minutes, adopting .665 federal mileage rate, appointment of Bruce Green as City Attorney, continuing the lease or the Community Building and Kids’ Kampus and appointment of Gary Lansink (2027) to Planning and Zoning and Robert Schall to Board of Adjustments (2027). Ashley Mendenhall was approved as an ambulance driver.
Joe and Kyra Staneart, new Primghar residence submitted proposed language changes to a city ordinance banning chickens within city limits. The couple lives on the property with a large lot on the northwest edge of Primghar. They were cited in November for keeping chickens. The young are working with city officials in an effort to be allowed legally to keep a small flock of chickens for personal use.
O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier was appointed official newspaper; Bank depositories and balance limits were approved. City Clerk Carol Chicoine announced that the limits were raised to $5 million to accommodate the receipts from the approved bond revenue bonds.
Wednesday, February 8,m 2023 at 5:00pm council set for their Maximum Tax Dollars from Certain Levies for fiscal year 2024 public hearing. The purpose of this public hearing is to allow the public to give comments or ask questions for or against any levies proposed. A city may adopt a lower levy but not higher.
The City’s revitalization plan has been under discussion for several months. Currently, the Primghar tax incentive for residential property owners to improve their property values by at least 10% was to exempt the improvements from city taxes at 100% for a period of 10 years. Council has been watching and evaluating the impact of the program. Tim Honkomp has voiced his reservations for such a long and generous program since its inception in 2020. On Wednesday, council approved the adoption of a graduated tax abatement plan. It offers 100% city levy relief on improvements up to $250,000 for 2 year. The tax abatement decreases every 2 years by 20%. Those who have taken advantage of the program will stay in the program until its 10 years are met. The new program will take effect with the new fiscal year. The change met a 4-1 vote with Councilperson Ryan Jenness opposed.