(Arnolds Park)– A 28E agreement that would result in some big changes for the Dickinson County Trails Association has been rejected by the Arnolds Park city council.
With members Jim Jensen and Jason Christensen absent, the council voted three-to-nothing Wednesday evening not to enter into the agreement. It would result in each member city being charged an annual fee: 50 percent would be based on assessed valuation and 50 percent on population. The money would pay the salary of an administrator that would oversee the trails system for the county and Trails Association.
All other lakes-corridor cities have signed onto the agreement, which was amended to address concerns they had earlier.
In making the motion to reject the agreement, Arnolds Park council member Susan Munsen expressed concern over city money being spent on a position she says is ultimately a county position. Councilman Mitch Watters agreed, saying the county should pay for the position.
Yvonne Taylor, President of the Dickinson County Trails Association, says she was very disappointed with the council’s action, but doesn’t believe the other cities that have signed on, including Spirit Lake, will have second thoughts now that Arnolds Park has rejected to agreement.
Taylor says the association will listen to any input Arnolds Park has to address its concerns and may be willing to amend the 28E agreement a second time if that’s what it will take to get the city to agree.
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