(Arnolds Park)– The Arnolds Park city council is turning up the heat in its ongoing dispute with Dickinson county over what’s known as the “Nielsen Development” on the southeast side of East Lake Okoboji.
The county adopted a developer’s agreement on the property that prohibits the city from ever annexing that area. The city is taking the county to court over the issue.
Last (Wednesday) evening, the city turned up the heat some more on the issue when it unanimously adopted a resolution stating the city will closely monitor any efforts to establish a tax increment finance district, or urban renewal plan, within two miles of its borders.
The resolution goes on to say the city will NOT enter into any such agreement with another entity who attempts to prevent it (the city) from annexing any area within two miles of its corporate limits. Under Iowa law, a city must also approve any TIF or Urban Renewal Districts that fall within two miles of its boundaries.
On a related note, members of the Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire Department were on hand regarding the council’s action last spring to terminate fire protection to Center Grove Township, which is in that same area, effective July 1st, 2006. Fire Chief Chris Youngbluth said they wanted it clarified the decision was made by the city council, NOT the Fire Department. He says the department is more than willing and able to serve the township, but will honor the council’s wishes. Youngbluth says he and other members of the department have come under fire from Center Grove Township residents thinking they, the Fire Department, made the decision.
Youngbluth added like it or not, the Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue will still probably wind up serving Center Grove Township as the result of mutual aid agreements it has with any other area department that may wind up serving the township.
