Carroll Mayor, Dr. Eric P. Jensen, opened a discussion with council members earlier this week with a compliment on the extra work and resulting report in finding a way to cover expenses related to the bathrooms in the Westgate Mall.
Council members, Carolyn Siemann and Clay Haley, are members of the committee and Jensen said he would like to see this effort continue. Haley agreed.
The mall merchants had previously approached the council, seeking monetary assistance because of fewer mall stores and a drop in the number of other business owners helping fund the facilities. Since that time, the Carroll Rotary Club has come forward and pledged $1,200 per year to the estimated $8,000 expenses and Availa Bank will pay $50 per month to have an ATM placed near the restrooms. The group asked the city to consider providing half of the costs by allocating $2,000 from this Fiscal Year’s (FY) budget and $4,000 next. LaVern Dirkx is not opposed to funding it this year, but would like to see the proposed letters to businesses requesting buy-in come back before committing to more.
Mike Kots said he typically doesn’t hear from constituents, but they are talking to him about this and he is facing resistance. Siemann and Haley labeled this the chicken and egg argument. They would like to approach the businesses with a commitment from the city in order to entice other donations. Siemann added the amount of money that comes in through Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) is a direct result of those businesses efforts.
All council members recognized the economic benefit derived, but still want to see more data before making long-term commitments. The only motion made and voted on was to accept the report.
