At this week’s meeting of the Ellsworth City Council…Ottie Maxey with Ames Regional Economic Alliance
was present to discuss with the council the economic benefit to having the Fish Farm facility purchased and in use. Data
for impact on the general fund by offering a TIF incentive to a potential buyer was also discussed. Motion by Council member Ladana Sogard and
seconded by Brian Phipps for Clerk Heidi Eckers to draft a memo containing Ellsworth’s interest in offering a 10 year $67,000 TIF
incentive to a potential buyer contingent upon utility impact changes being made by the buyer prior to operation as well
as the nature of business to be conducted in the facility. Roll call votes 4-0. Motion carried.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – MEMBERSHIP TO HAMILTON COUNTY GROWTH PARTNERSHIP: Motion by Ladana
Sogard to pay first year membership at $500 level to the Hamilton County Growth Partnership. Seconded by William Funk. Roll
call votes 4-0. Motion carried.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – DEVELOPER’S AGREEMENT PARCEL 40872436226006: Motion by Brian Phipps to
approve proposed developer’s agreement drafted by Schlottfeldt Engineering, seconded by Sogard. Roll call votes 4-0.
Motion carried.
ELLSWORTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATON: Linda Clark, ECA Treasurer and council woman Marcy Olson, ECA President
discussed with council some ideas to improve the citywide “Dump Your Junk” event. Chris Kehoe of The Trashman was also present to offer insight on details regarding a weekend-long, potential curbside pickup cleanup event in Ellsworth.
The weekend of June 21st was discussed as a doable weekend for The Trashman’s schedule and ECA event schedule.
FIRE/EMS: None Present
LIBRARY: None Present
PLANNING AND ZONING APPOINTMENT: Mayor Yager appointed Alyssa Zimmerman of Ellsworth to join the Ellsworth
Planning and Zoning Board. Fellow board members include: Beth Grove, Brian Zimmerman, Paula Newman, and Jim
Maxwell.
FY 25/26 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Yager opened the FY 25/26 Budget Public hearing. After giving the public
opportunity to be heard, Mayor Yager closed the FY 25/26 Budget Public hearing. Motion by Funk and second by Olson
to adopt Resolution #04-22-25 and the 25/26 Budget and Certification of taxes. The total tax levy will be 10.199, with
revenues and transfers equaling $2,471,353 and total expenditures and transfers equaling $2,718,759. Roll call votes 4
0. Motion carried.
SETTING PUBLIC HEARING FOR FY24/25 BUDGET AMENDMENT: Motion by Funk and second by Olson to set 24/25
Budget amendment hearing for 6pm on May 27th. Roll call votes 4-0. Motion carried.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – SALE OF BINGO TABLES AND CHAIRS TO KAMRAR LIONS CLUB: Motion by Phipps
and second by Sogard to sell the remaining Bingo tables and chairs to the Kamrar Lion’s club for $90. Roll call votes 4-0.
Motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – ELECTRIC UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS TO 101 HWY 175: Supervisor
Vanlangen discussed with Council the upcoming electric infrastructure project involving expansion of the Ellsworth Car
and Truck Wash. A Midland Power quote was also discussed for these improvements. Council discussed the property
no longer being in the Urban Renewal District and therefore, no TIF funds could be utilized to pay for the infrastructure
expenses. Prior business expansion projects have resulted in a shared cost of boring and the business paying for
additional transformers required for their project. Motion by Funk and seconded by Sogard to have the city pay for wire
and boring along the city easement and the business as an existing and expanding enterprise, paying for the remaining
portion of wire, boring, and for the transformer. Roll call votes 4-0. Motion carried. Clerk Eckers will draft an invoice
including these parameters for payment.
PUBLIC WORKS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – FY 25/26 PURCHASE OF NEW BACKHOE: Discussion between
Public Works Supervisor Vanlangen and the Council concerning the need for a new backhoe. Council requested more
purchase or lease options prior to making a decision. Agenda item tabled.
CITY HALL UPDATES – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: APPOINTING A MODERATOR FOR UPCOMING TOWN HALL:
Councilman William Funk appointed as Moderator for April 27 Town Hall at the Ellsworth Community Center.
CITY HALL UPDATES – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: CITY HALL MERCHANT PROCESSING: Motion by Sogard and
second by Olson to accept proposal by Professional Solutions Financial Services to an in-house credit card processing
system for City Hall. Roll call votes 4-0. Motion carried.