by Amanda Rink, Editor
The Clarion City Council met on Tuesday night to discuss a variety of community projects, proposed property tax levy, updates on the proposed recreational center, and the potential for a new fire station.
Mayor Rod Heiden, who is up for re-election this year, led the meeting with all council members in attendance, along with Wright County Supervisor Ashley Bosch.
Proposed Property Tax
One of the key items was Resolution 25-11. This sets a date for a public hearing on the proposed property tax. City Administrator Clint Middleton noted the decision was pending the finalization of the budget line item for the city’s water treatment plant. At this article’s writing, the exact hearing date is yet to be confirmed.
“Plan C” for REC Center
The Rec Center Board provided an update on their ongoing project, distributing paperwork to the council detailing cost estimates and site plans.
The center has undergone extensive replanning efforts because of concerns over safety and space limitations. This led to the development of “Plan C,” shared by Matt Odland, which is a single-story alternative.
Plan C eliminates the need for an elevator, reducing costs while providing two full-size basketball courts, six pickleball courts, and an expanded fitness area. The plan is estimated to cost $8.5 million, less than the first estimate of a little over $10 million. The council and the REC Center Board will host a Public Workshop on Tuesday, February 25 at 6:00 P.M at the Clarion Public Library. The public is encouraged to attend.
While the council and the REC Center will reach no official decision, this will allow the two entities to discuss and hear feedback from the public about the ongoing project.
New Fire Station Revisited
Gene Rosenbaum with the Clarion Fire Department addressed the council regarding the need to update the current fire station. A new fire station has been talk for years, with no official action being taken. Rosenbaum urged the council to support reinjuvination of the project.
An unofficial estimate for a new station is around $2.5 million, considering a similar facility that was recently built in State Center.
A site on the west side of town, across from the parking lot for The Heartland Museum, had been purchased years ago with the possibility of using it for the Fire Station. If a fire station were to be built, it would come as a debt to the city with the possibility of raising taxes for Clarion residents. However, the fire department has been successful with fundraising efforts in the past and one would assume this could bring any costs down.
In other updates the Council:
– Passed resolution 25-12, which allows City Attorney Zach Chizek to finalize the property deed of the property next to Holly Narber’s State Farm building.
– Heard that Claire Anderson in Accounts Payable is doing well within her training.
The next City Council meeting will be Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers.
