[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6300561,"mediaKeyId","2492943-3001b9358321c7f4a915b17b9c60e918","parentId",2492943,"title","Decorah plans ordinance fix after billing software exposes irrigation-rate mismatch; three businesses affected","audioSeconds",168,"startMs",2808000,"endMs",2976000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492943-3001b9358321c7f4a915b17b9c60e918&start=2808&end=2976","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492943-3001b9358321c7f4a915b17b9c60e918/thumbnail_2808000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6300561/Decorah/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/Decorah-plans-ordinance-fix-after-billing-software-exposes-irrigation-rate-mismatch-three-businesses-affected","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300561-e4f1a8d13fba0dcdee2827412b18a9be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213738&Signature=hXSwX2mlBsAfrP5heZZZHcfL-bbM0WgDTqXcgfglC5CIknYxReL4mMhb0DunCwiRnTIp7L9rOVQjcKF179no0WIZjUVK1T9KJa6BTNu3z8zhmctUe-MDb9JOQpR~T3qFCHFm7yXEvCuqmiBrpB-AfLKVFyDhXLhvt7mAKJApE5Nb4~t2GhqLJwHenf01jregKqfnZpTF-n~GgsUpBdc81lqGb3DYMLP6y9s4wlXaH-AR3a~1QjHJtPdLUbYhqehCEdvTjT1a9Z287GPiuz-AHMjm9iuiYb~8GHSf0ag8mwQjJ5L8xtcsi1GW3DkqbvMZUM3JNlvNbepyGyyfFLRnEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Decorah Council ","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","The city of Decorah will bring back an ordinance to align its water-rate billing table with an existing city code after a conversion to new utility-billing software revealed a discrepancy, staff told the council Monday.

City code section 13.20.03 states that water furnished to industrial consumers and nonprofit institutions for irrigation shall be charged at established rates up to 20,000 cubic feet; water furnished in excess of 20,000 cubic feet is charged at a quarterly rate of $1.40 per 100 cubic feet. The software’s legacy rate table had previously applied a $1.94 per 100-cubic-foot step at 6,000 cubic feet and, during conversion, the old software’s table treated the $1.40 figure differently.

Utility-billing staff told the council the mismatch affects three commercial/industrial customers. If the rate is changed to follow the ordinance language as currently written, staff estimated the city would see about $8,000 in additional revenue annually across the affected accounts.

Council directed staff to draft an ordinance to correct the rate table and to make the change effective July 1, 2025 (the new fiscal year). Council members also asked staff to notify the affected customers ahead of implementation and provide an explanation about the correction.

Why it matters
The correction aligns billing practice with city code and ensures the water enterprise recovers costs consistently across users. Staff noted the city’s water-production and treatment costs do not differ by whether a user irrigates or uses water for other industrial purposes.

Ending — next steps
Staff will prepare the ordinance to return to council, notify the three affected customers with an explanation and apply the corrected rates effective July 1, 2025. Council also confirmed there will be no other water-rate changes this fiscal year while the new meters rollout and usage analysis proceed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Decorah Council Meeting 03-03-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city of Decorah will bring back an ordinance to align its water-rate billing table with existing city code after new utility-billing software revealed a discrepancy that affects three commercial customers.","taxTitle","Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa","taxId",55664,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6300566,"Decorah wins $377,000 grant for Dry Run Creek wetlands and water-quality work",91,1265000,1356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492943-3001b9358321c7f4a915b17b9c60e918&start=1265&end=1356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492943-3001b9358321c7f4a915b17b9c60e918/thumbnail_1265000.jpg","/articles/6300566/Decorah/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/Decorah-wins-377000-grant-for-Dry-Run-Creek-wetlands-and-water-quality-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300566-4c65717f073f20f406df6dc2e008d882/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213738&Signature=nX3xEhv~TJTHlGWJ8hqARFfto0zIM3z~C0-ou1sOnUJKZ8~2Bf9EXleQlZVB3nJS8RUL94HbIQr1LTbP9iqG51jWjlFShb-e2VrBooPrmFRNqiFsESgjV2GyOIyTODJkPHymOyMC-ofRSgXFI5aBaVshujOKXpfud12uD2ogfQ1FsnPXjwJAmnBuvNWxnPc4MCw-DN4ysdHaeH03vjWxsIzsLWaB8Ekz1Mabl0hSzpWobtrsSOD8-045PJ6rPsvdL0SRzQRSWhZd0Of24tXisb~BIEnXh~MC7lD3crCsn6cQNzygEAMDkoiN6-EhsRBCJEKk~3tGWmDmkXL7ijrbFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The city of Decorah announced Monday it received a $377,000 Bridal Water Quality Initiative urban conservation grant for the Decorah 2024 Dry Run Creek Wetlands project.

Public works and parks staff said the award will fund roughly three acres of infiltration basins and about five acres of native plantings, along with pretreatment sediment bays and outreach and education components. The project is intended to store and filter runoff before it reaches the Upper Iowa River and to provide habitat and public-education opportunities.

Staff credited technical assistance from ISG and 13 letters of support from local agencies and organizations for strengthening the application. The grant will support three main components: infiltration basins and pretreatment sediment controls, a native planting mix across the restoration area, and outreach and education for the community.

Mark, a city staff member who presented details to the council, said the components will help “store and filter the water going into the Upper Iowa River, and provide habitat, a great learning opportunity as well.” He described the award as a statewide competitive grant and noted the project is one of 15 awarded in the state.

Why it matters
City staff said the work will improve local watershed health, reduce sediment and pollutant loads to the Upper Iowa River, and create habitat and educational opportunities for residents and students.

Ending — next steps
Staff said there are logistic steps ahead for contracting and implementation; the council did not take formal action beyond accepting the grant report on the consent agenda.","The city received $377,000 from the Bridal Water Quality Initiative to build infiltration basins and native plantings in the Dry Run Creek wetlands project; staff said the project will include three acres of infiltration basins and about five acres of native plantings and will improve Upper Iowa River water quality.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6300570,"City manager warns state bills could curb franchise fees; describes confusing tax-notice language",548,310000,858000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492943-3001b9358321c7f4a915b17b9c60e918&start=310&end=858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492943-3001b9358321c7f4a915b17b9c60e918/thumbnail_310000.jpg","/articles/6300570/Decorah/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/City-manager-warns-state-bills-could-curb-franchise-fees-describes-confusing-tax-notice-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300570-32260cc75f72d4d311b817014fa06d6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213738&Signature=ohOXShucIcvTTyCuM3Wxa3wTeTZDhYV6~GvkcHC4J21sO1Uppkj4ibsnBG7ozzLk2ZnE5kvMeelADlMODDa5jNseHLvvEnyOp3GXUefcQ0t~zNJZ7aIxFGLb96W-Drxx4-k2ho5580rr2vr0nOOR1gVnBuSooGeGrBc~Hjs76aqlh4NJg0MJdJ-8b-zbYEwpnAXgFsXV56pXGssmhcHvwom1uPbpyCUPga3Ku7tIvAtbYhwkl9NbAjfwIafryc1HIUzp6YK2o-yffrWqjElZe1uWe7RQSCiPeHihHazzlmHEhw5YVv6Omzrh0q~aG3B1wOR0OkmahF3QovilRmNLZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Travis briefed the Decorah City Council Monday on several pending state bills that could affect municipal budgets and described a required county notice for the city’s proposed fiscal 2026 property-tax levy that, he said, misrepresents how property taxes work.

Travis told the council that Senate Study Bill 1181 would “prohibit the collection of franchise fees” and, if enacted, take effect July 1, 2025. He said the change would not prevent franchise agreements for right-of-way use but would bar cities and counties from collecting franchise fees under those agreements.

Travis also reviewed House File 600, a property-tax measure that would cap levy growth to no more than 2% of the previous five-year average unless an override is approved by 60% of voters. He described how such an approach could squeeze communities experiencing valuation decline, particularly noting concerns for jurisdictions with falling assessed valuations.

Travis criticized the county-generated public notice for the city’s proposed levy hearing, saying the notice implies large percentage increases for typical residential and commercial assessments. “This notice is a terrible misrepresentation of how property taxes work and is not at all accurate information that’s gonna help educate the taxpayer,” he said. The notice is a form required by state law and will be mailed by the county auditor; Travis told council staff can draft a plain-language cover letter to accompany it.

Travis said the notice’s percentage figures assume classwide assessed valuation changes (for example, a 1.77% increase in residential class assessed valuation) and do not represent the change for any specific property owner. He told council the staff will work with the county auditor to include an explanatory cover letter with the mailed notice.

Why it matters
If the state bars franchise fees, municipalities will lose a funding tool used for local infrastructure purposes, and the city would need to identify alternate funding sources. The levy-notice criticism matters because the mailed form is the primary legal disclosure residents will receive before the public hearing on the proposed fiscal 2026 levy.

Ending — next steps
Travis said staff will draft a lay-persons’ cover letter to accompany the county notice and will provide more detail about levy-rate versus tax-dollar impacts at the public hearing set for April 7 at 5 p.m.","Decorah City Manager Travis told council about pending state legislation that could ban municipal franchise fees and described a county notice that mischaracterizes the city's proposed 2026 property-tax impact for typical residential and commercial assessments.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6300575,"Decorah council adopts limit on tax use for municipal electric utility funding",1649,2148000,3797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492943-3001b9358321c7f4a915b17b9c60e918&start=2148&end=3797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492943-3001b9358321c7f4a915b17b9c60e918/thumbnail_2148000.jpg","/articles/6300575/Decorah/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/Decorah-council-adopts-limit-on-tax-use-for-municipal-electric-utility-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300575-f3d12cbceda7a0b3e1b92f9d93e6701b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213738&Signature=lLj-PIChy~GipwRoQTHatwWrf8XZeK~d4nLtiI6XKmgyTkErOQGbr2POufQX0jVhsToh~sK69rysvm3lFvq~lZc~Dtv09qcil5fugDgLZWeRm2EuBVp-u4zV8CfTfBI0rXUmyXCSPSMj8F8KxgDa9o9l21OeIEcN-v~9JIIByKDWBQL7mb4OAIbRzZEiwt3zi458bow078jaHioJ-gU3xt3F4ZCUwWpS2~j6161MRIkIuNzt4EOpZM17x3X0PjO~50sQcjJpRhoBvVjPRcVnMxVz-8y8Vv1q6i~xAu8VNamvzLfpZ8DprHr-JiGkXGThkqqdpTFZJwqaa8jrF8pBVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decorah City Council on Monday approved a resolution saying the city will not use existing property tax dollars to fund a municipal electric utility and that, if the measure to form a municipal utility passes in Tuesday’s special election, the city will rely on electric franchise fee revenues or general-obligation bonds following a bond referendum.

The resolution, introduced by Councilmember Neil and seconded by Councilmember Zittagruen, passed after debate about timing and the potential effects of pending state legislation. The roll-call recorded, among others, Veil: “Aye”; Zittagruen: “Aye”; Olsen: “No”; Chissell: “No”; Whittle: “Aye”; Parker: “Aye”; Miss Linage: “No.”

The council’s stated limit is a response to residents’ repeated questions about whether a municipal electric utility (MEU) would raise property taxes. The resolution limits initial funding to three categories: electric franchise fees, grants and donations, and general-obligation bonds only after voter approval. The resolution also requires a subsequent affirmative council vote before any electric franchise fee revenue is spent on an MEU project.

City Manager Travis warned council members earlier in the meeting about pending state action. “Senate Study Bill 1181 would prohibit the collection of franchise fees,” he said, noting that if that or similar bills pass, the city would need to rethink financing options.

Councilmembers split on whether to adopt the resolution before the March 4 special election. Supporters said a pre-election statement would reassure residents that their vote would not be interpreted as carte blanche to raise taxes; opponents called the timing “putting the cart before the horse” and said the commitment should wait until after voters decide.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution restricting use of property taxes for an MEU: Motion by Councilmember Neil; seconded by Councilmember Zittagruen; roll-call recorded multiple ayes and nos (see action record). Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance, Chapter 2.16 (police residency), first reading: Motion by Councilmember Chissell; seconded by Councilmember Olsen; roll-call unanimous. Outcome: first reading approved.
- Consent agenda (minutes, claims, licenses, Dry Run Creek items, property tax notice, urban renewal items, easements, vegetation plan, special event permit): Motion to approve by Miss Linage; seconded by Olsen; roll-call unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Motion to authorize staff to pursue a federal community project funding application: Motion by Councilmember Neil; seconded by Olsen; roll-call recorded as unanimous. Outcome: approved.

Council members asked for additional guarantees in the resolution to protect other locally directed funds. Councilmember Randy raised concern that the language did not explicitly protect the local option sales tax dedicated for street work; supporters replied the resolution sets a maximum funding posture, not a mandatory spending plan, and that any reallocation of local sales tax would require separate council action.

Supporters described the resolution as a reassurance to undecided voters: if the referendum to create an MEU passes, the council will not automatically use property tax dollars to pay for it. Opponents said the resolution could be perceived as advocacy in the run-up to the election and preferred to wait until after voters decide.

The council did not adopt any immediate spending on an MEU. Instead, the approved resolution creates a funding-policy limit and requires subsequent council votes for any expenditure of electric franchise fee revenues.

Ending — what happens next
If voters approve the municipal utility measure, the council will move into feasibility, business-plan and legal-fee work within the funding constraints the resolution sets. If state law changes to restrict franchise-fee collection, the council said it would revisit funding options and any related resolutions.","Decorah City Council approved a resolution saying existing property tax dollars will not be used to fund a municipal electric utility; councilmembers split on the measure amid concern about timing and state legislation that could change franchise-fee authority.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6300555,"Decorah directs staff to pursue congressional community-project funding; staff to choose strongest application",865,3711000,4576000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492943-3001b9358321c7f4a915b17b9c60e918&start=3711&end=4576","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492943-3001b9358321c7f4a915b17b9c60e918/thumbnail_3711000.jpg","/articles/6300555/Decorah/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/Decorah-directs-staff-to-pursue-congressional-community-project-funding-staff-to-choose-strongest-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300555-86fb1d5985ab429906c279ed724992fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213738&Signature=UWT3dDTS~5FYralGB5k~eI2jZWsJSxdY5naLVfUEdhqujJIOYTeV6bLdFcWHIocrWeBjAe5-7Ixr8nux9G8viyBoQ3TmiCKQQYHw-yEOW5Zm3kp~Sgrl~ueTSTGUJw~-NirUOQPeJkDDjUBP0LvYvlKfz0nADKE6r7Tx5i6dk0Dx-BSKVPh22JDBlUX6M5HlvhteRl71owtrDxOdF73hmtzlQ8uCpV57CsJ4Y8n5e--skF6BOfsCvw7-gSdJg2IHm82tlAXEsyWRvCMSK3ga2VnSo0G~QifT61JCpzNRdPNhmo-RAelHmU3PAF74fx~xe4hZ3mR7qLTj2oZo3rxTIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decorah City Council directed staff Monday to pursue community project funding opportunities through U.S. Representative Hinson’s office and to prioritize the single strongest application before the March 13 application deadline.

Council discussed multiple potential candidate projects: wastewater treatment and stormwater-related work, fiber-to-the-home/building projects, and building-space projects that might support police, fire or city administrative offices. Staff noted the Representative’s office prefers projects that are already budgeted locally or will be undertaken regardless of federal assistance.

The council authorized staff with a voice motion — made by Councilmember Neil and seconded by Olsen — to identify the project with the best chance of success and submit an application; the roll-call recorded several ayes and the motion carried. Councilmembers suggested marrying related projects where possible and prioritized projects that demonstrate operational efficiency or readiness to proceed.

Why it matters
Projects included in congressional community-project funding can secure significant federal dollars (staff noted past awards have ranged from about $250,000 to $11 million) and could relieve local budget pressure if matched and implemented.

Ending — next steps
Staff will return to council as needed with the proposed application and will proceed to submit the project material by March 13.","After a fast turnaround offer from Representative Hinson's office, Decorah council authorized staff to identify and submit the city’s strongest candidate project for potential inclusion in congressional appropriations; staff listed candidate projects including wastewater, fiber, and space for public safety and administrative uses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Decorah plans ordinance fix after billing software exposes irrigation-rate mismatch; three businesses affected

Decorah wins $377,000 grant for Dry Run Creek wetlands and water-quality work

City manager warns state bills could curb franchise fees; describes confusing tax-notice language

Decorah council adopts limit on tax use for municipal electric utility funding

Decorah directs staff to pursue congressional community-project funding; staff to choose strongest application