(Spirit Lake)– The Spirit Lake City Council Monday took no action on whether or not the city will do its own excavation work on Hill Avenue South, saying they want more time to review cost comparisons put together by Public Works Director Todd Dolphin. There was considerable discussion again as to whether or not it’s appropriate for the city to be doing such work. It’s drawn controversy from opponents who say the city shouldn’t be competing against private contractors. But city officials say the practice has saved a huge amount of taxpayer money, while allowing for significant growth. The council will take up the matter again at a special meeting tentatively set for Noon this coming Monday.
In other business, the council approved an agreement with Alliant Energy to bury all overhead electric lines along the South Hill Avenue Project at a cost of nearly 100-thousand dollars; they awarded the low bid of 4,866-dollars from Communication Innovators of Milford for a phone system for the new Police Department. Councilman Jerry Harbst didn’t vote, siting a conflict of interest.
The council also approved a recommendation from the Administrative Committee reducing the Mayor/Council portion of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year to reflect a 30,722-dollar cut in funding from the state that will impact the city’s general fund.
