Waukon City Council holds public hearings and gives approval to both the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 budget
by Joe Moses
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, April 20 to address a full agenda of matters including a review of setback regulations, the Public Hearing amending the current budget for the Fiscal-Year-Ending June 30, 2026 and an update on Well #5. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Cassie Handke, John Lydon and Tim Smedsrud.
Hatlan made a brief statement relating to the Public Comment portion of the meeting which he noted is the designated time for members of the public to address the mayor and council directly relating to matters of concern or items on the agenda with a three-minute time limit per person. Hatlan added that no official action will be taken by the council during the Public Comment portion of the meeting. He noted that the council is to listen only, without comment, during the Public Comment portion of the meeting with no comment from the public allowed during the council’s discussion of agenda items later in the meeting.
Following the council’s approval of the meeting agenda, the meeting moved into Public Comment with Keith Bresnahan making note of discussion that took place at the previous council meeting relating to budget practices.
Bresnahan noted concerns relating to the movement and use of funds from Local Option Sales Tax (LOST), which he described as “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” Bresnahan continued his comments relating to budget practices, “It doesn’t seem to make sense. We need to look deeper into the problem rather than a quick solution.”
District Representative Pedro Calderon from Representative Ashley Hinson’s 2nd Congressional District Dubuque office introduced himself in addition to noting that he spent the day in Allamakee County visiting several communities as well as attending the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors meeting earlier that same day. Calderon advised that he plans to visit each county within the 2nd Congressional District at least once a quarter and additionally by request. Calderon discussed keeping channels of communication open between city governments and Hinson’s Dubuque office in addition to noting that the public is welcome to reach out for assistance relating to matters involving the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), veterans affairs, visas and anything relating to the federal government.
Ann Fossum, a West Street SW property owner, thanked the council, the Street Department and Interim Street Superintendent Pat Egan for the recent addition of signage which has helped keep commercial and agricultural truck traffic on the designated truck route rather than traveling through residential neighborhoods.
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