by Mari Radtke
The Paullina Council met in regular session on Monday April 15. The consent agenda included approval of Junior’s Bar and Grill liquor license.
Representatives of Wonderland Theater, Brenda Kruse and Cindy Richter attended. Kruse read from prepared remarks, making a formal request for the theater’s garbage fees to be eliminated. Her proposal addresses the low volume of trash generated, the theater has not had a dumpster since the completion of the remodeling and the current method of disposal – volunteers take home the trash.
The Paullina ordinance allows for adjustments to garbage fees “upon a showing by written application filed with the City Clerk, that there are unusual or extraordinary circumstances which would warrant a change in the fee imposed.” The council has the power to set a fee higher or lower than codified in extraordinary circumstances.” She also asked for a retroactive refund. No action was taken.
Cindy Richter talked to the council of the theater’s need for volunteers. She commented that it is getting difficult to be open the three days per week during the colder months due to the lack of volunteers. She also mentioned a “reconstitution of the board.” Several attempts to clarify the needs of the board have not been answered.

A review of the budget with discussion was had. A special meeting on April 23 was announced as the final public hearing for the fiscal year 2025 budget. Council recognized that the budget is about $1 million short of revenue. Much of that discrepancy is due to budgeted costs of electric system upgrades but no revenue from the planned bond issue recognized. This is the second consecutive year for this same circumstance.
Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority requested Council to appoint a representative from the City. Council tabled an appointment pending more information about the organization.
A pickleball location was discussed. Swanson Sports Complex is not an option as the old tennis courts are used for parking during baseball/softball season. Building a court at the City Park is an option under consideration. There are some budgeted funds for the project.
Dennis Werkmeister announced the willingness of Representative Zach Dieken to participate in a workshop to discuss the state’s new budget methods and limitations. He asked for an array of people to join in the discussion.
The April 23 special meeting to meet the budget public hearing requirements was held. No public comments were submitted. A resolution to adopt the proposed budget was passed. May 20 was set by resolution for a public hearing to amend the current year’s budget.
The garbage billing for Wonderland Theater was considered. Council easily agreed retractive refunding of fees paid since the dumpster was removed was not an option. Councilperson Nichole Jacobs admitted that she had had the garbage fees for a personal downtown business property stopped. The last time the property at 127 E Broadway paid the garbage fee was March of 2023. She went on to share she had spoken with Mayor Marlin Sjaarda and felt that she should pay the fee and it would be reinstated. There was a question put before the council in January 2023 about a “request by two local people” for their garbage fees to be dropped. No record of Council action on the request can be found.
Mayor Sjaarda charged Jacobs to produce a detailed, very specific resolution for Wonderland Theater only to justify garbage fee removal for Wonderland Theater. No other action was taken.
Two new volunteer Ambulance members were approved by council at the two April meetings.