Questions were raised about the impact COVID-19 has had on the City of Carroll’s finances as the council opened a public hearing on the proposed adoption of plans, specifications and cost estimates for a new street maintenance facility. Council member, LaVern Dirkx, says he has been working with City Clerk and Finance Director, Laura Schaefer, to get his questions on this topic answered prior to Monday night’s meeting. Schaefer gave a report on road use tax collections.
The road use tax fund is only one source of funding for the nearly $4.524 million facility to be constructed on E. 3rd Street, adjacent to the current building. Dirkx says he also had concerns about Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) funding, which is earmarked to cover $3.45 million of this project. Schaefer explains that although losses were predicted there, that wasn’t the case.
However, the city has already set aside that amount from previous L.O.S.T. collections. Schaefer says what the City of Carroll receives monthly is 95 percent of the state’s estimate and then a “true up” payment is determined in November on whether they will receive more or not. Dirkx says this information played an important part in his final decision.
Carolyn Siemann and Clay Haley say this is not only a good indicator of where the economy is on a state level, but it is also a seven percent increase that benefits Carroll residents.
The council voted unanimously, with member Mike Kots absent, to adopt these and move ahead with putting the project out to bid. Those will be received on Sept. 15 and construction on the 16,150-square foot building is anticipated to be completed by Nov. 15, 2021.
