The Ellsworth City Council this week met with EJS Police Chief David Turpen on his resignation from the EJS Police Department at the March 6th Police Board Meeting. The Council discussed the specific needs and issues that arise from a public safety perspective in Ellsworth and what the city’s needs are from law enforcement in the future. Ellsworth mayor Dolorus Yager addressed the council and alerted them to a potential agreement the city could make with the Hamilton County Sheriff Department for less of a cost than the current rate being paid to the City of Jewell for its contribution to the EJS Department annually. A few specific questions were raised by council members for Mayor Yager to bring to Hamilton County Sheriff Alex Pruismann prior to making any agreement or decisions on changing Ellsworth’s law enforcement presence. Public Works employees also addressed the council in favor or pursuing an agreement with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department. These questions will be answered at the March 25th council meeting where Sheriff Pruismann will be present. The council thanked David Turpen for his years of dedicated service in the protection of Ellsworth’s residents.
Ellsworth financial advisor Nate Summers of UMB Bank met with the council to discuss potential water rate increases to pursue the needed debt approval amounts for the new water tower project. Packets were dispersed to all council persons, staff and Mayor. These packets are available for viewing at city hall for the general public. Included in the water rate study were comparisons to 12 other surrounding communities providing water service to their residents. Ellsworth City Clerk Heidi Eckers will continue to work with Summers as well as Amy Bjork of Dorsey and Whitney for any proposed changes to the water rate ordinance.
The Ellsworth City Council discussed a close call incident of two students almost being hit by a car passing a stopped school bus on Highway 175 two weeks ago. The buses have now all been set up with external cameras as well as bus routes changed to eliminate children having to cross roads to get on the bus. There’s been a call by many constituents to have a bus stop both east bound and west bound on Highway 175. The council will make an inquiry to the Iowa DOT to request signs for Highway 175 in Ellsworth and report the recommendation at a future city council meeting.
In other matters, the Ellsworth City Council reviewed a request to use the park shelter for an ice cream social on August 2nd from 3:00 until 9:00 p.m.A decision on the request will be made at the March 25th council meeting. A request from the Ellsworth Trinity Lutheran Church to use the park shelter for services on June 1st, July 6th and August 3rd was accepted. There are several projects coming to Ellsworth including the replacement of the old city shed to be added to the proposed budget for the 2025/26 Fiscal Year. There is a quote in hand from short circuit electric to replace all lights in the Ellsworth Community Center. The council gave the go ahead for the lights to be replaced. Ellsworth Bingo funds will be used as a donation to cover the expense.