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Residents at Lamar council meeting urge slowdown on growth, warn of tax impacts
Summary
Several residents told the Lamar City Council they oppose rapid expansion, questioned plans for a new school and warned rising costs could hurt elderly taxpayers.
Several residents told the Lamar City Council on July 1 they oppose what they described as rapid expansion in Lamar and urged officials to slow spending that could raise property taxes.
Bridal Hughes, of 414 Sixteenth Street Southeast, said many longtime residents do not support the town's expansion and are concerned about higher property taxes. “I just don't like this expansion of this town,” Hughes said. She said the growth is “getting really, really dangerous” and that many older residents live on limited incomes and would be harmed by tax increases tied to new projects.
Nick Malali, who identified himself as a landlord, said he has become concerned about people moving to town and repeated a preference against doubling Le Mars's population. “I'm not for double in the population of Le Mars, period,” Malali said, and added that he has seen recent crime and safety problems affecting tenants.
The council responded to public comment with reminders that matters not on the agenda cannot be acted on immediately. A council member suggested residents discuss concerns with the property owners and bring items back as agenda requests. Councilmembers also urged critics to speak with department leaders about specific proposals: one councilmember said, “talk to the fire chief and maybe go look at the 2 facilities” when questions were raised about fire-station upgrades.
Why it matters: Speakers framed the issue as both a change in community character and a financial concern for vulnerable residents. Council members agreed to receive the comments but told residents that formal actions would require agenda items or public votes when appropriate.
Members of the public raised overlapping concerns about development, schools, fire facilities and public safety over the meeting's public-comment period. The council did not take formal action on growth or school planning during the session.
Ending: Council leaders encouraged residents to follow the city process: request agenda items, confer with department leaders and pursue collective testimony at future meetings if they want formal consideration.
