(Okoboji)– The Dickinson County Water Quality Commission is only a few months old…and already there are allegations of conflicts of interest and squabbling over how money should be awarded for various projects.
Okoboji Mayor Bob Schneider brought the issue up at Tuesday’s Okoboji City Council meeting…saying he was “appalled” by what he saw when he and councilman Jim Delperdang attended a recent commission meeting where applications for funding were received. Schneider says commissioners need more direction on how to rank the applications…and that a system is needed to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.
The Cleanwater Alliance was allowed to review the applications prior to the Water Quality Commission…even though the alliance itself has applied for some of the funding. Schneider says that should never have been allowed. David Thoreson, who is Okoboji’s representative on the commission, agreed…but he said they simply didn’t realize that could become a factor. Thoreson said the commission at the time was looking for a group with expertise to make recommendations. He said it’s still early and urged Schneider and others to atleast let the process get started.
Thoreson and another water quality commissioner, Greg Drees, said they’re confident any conflicts of interest and other issues will get straightened out.
