Waukon City Council holds public hearing on Fiscal-Year 2026 Proposed Tax Levy, sets date for public hearing on proposed Fiscal-Year 2025-2026 Budget
by Joe Moses
The Waukon City Council met in special session Monday, March 24. The council first held a Public Hearing for the Fiscal-Year 2026 Proposed Tax Levy prior to the regular session meeting of the council that had been rescheduled from its original third-Monday date of March 17 to better accommodate the public hearing process on the proposed tax levy.
Mayor Arvid Hatlan called the special session meeting to order with the Public Hearing for the Fiscal-Year 2026 Proposed Tax Levy being opened. City Clerk Sarah Snitker confirmed that no written or other comments had been received prior to the hearing.
Waukon resident Harvey Estebo noted his support in favor of the proposed tax levy. In his comments, Estebo discussed his appreciation for the many services provided by the city including the fire department, ambulance service, park and recreation, water and sewer, and the police department. Estebo thanked the city council and mayor for maintaining these services for the public. With no other public comment, the Public Hearing was closed and the special session adjourned.
The regular session was then called to order with Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) providing an update during Public Comment. Reinke made note of the Career Fair scheduled for Friday, April 4 at the Waukon High School. She said that students from area schools will be in attendance at this event open to the public with 50 exhibitors to be in attendance.
Reinke also discussed the R.E.S.E.T. Conference, a business and personal growth event, with that event planned for April 21-22 in Decorah. She also made note of the Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival scheduled for Thursday, April 24 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon from 4-7 p.m. Reinke said that a variety of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) exhibits will be available at this youth-focused event that can be enjoyed by all ages.
Under Department Reports, Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub discussed an increase in participation numbers for youth soccer over last year. He said that park employees are anticipated to start next week with water being turned on at the City Park in mid-April. Relating to the swimming pool, Strub advised that 36 lifeguards have been hired for the season with 22 returning lifeguard and 14 new lifeguards. He noted that the Music in the Park schedule is set for the first Thursday after Memorial Day with local bands being the focus of concerts this year. Strub and the council discussed putting an older Park Department pick-up truck up for bid with that matter to be added to a future council meeting agenda for official action.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed a recent sewer repair near 2nd Avenue and 4th Street NE. Cooper and the council discussed establishing a formal notification policy relating to contacting property owners regarding water leaks that have been identified and need to be addressed. Cooper noted a recent situation with a property owner that has been made aware of an identified water leak with no response following door knocks and two door hangers.
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