West Branch Council approves budget amendment, hires officer and renews insurance; ordinances move forward

At its May 5 meeting, the West Branch City Council approved a package of routine and substantive items including a budget amendment, personnel hiring, two ordinance second readings and insurance renewals.

The council voted to approve Resolution 2025-50, amending the city’s FY2025 budget to account for higher-than-anticipated liability insurance and self-funded claims, transfers for the Phase 2 East Side Water Main project, extra tree trimming and concrete repairs, TIF arrears, and higher water and sewer costs largely driven by inflation and utilities. City Administrator Adam Kofoed explained the reasons for the amendment; the motion carried on a recorded unanimous vote.

Council approved Resolution 2025-51 hiring Paul (Kevin) Bailey as a full-time police officer; Police Chief Greg Hall praised Bailey’s prior public service and Mayor Roger Laughlin administered the oath of office.

The council also approved annual renewal rates with MetLife (Resolution 2025-52) for life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability, dental and vision benefits, and with Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (Resolution 2025-53) for health coverage through the Iowa Community Trust. Both measures passed with unanimous support.

Second readings for Ordinance 826 (amending Chapter 105 — Solid Waste Control, with added contractor language) and Ordinance 827 (amending Chapter 106 — Collection of Solid Waste) were approved; the minutes record unanimous AYE votes for both second readings.

Resolution 2025-54 approved installing four street lights in the Greenview Subdivision through Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative; City Administrator Kofoed said Cedar-Johnson Road bond proceeds would fund the work. Resolution 2025-55 set consultation and a public hearing for Proposed Amendment No. 8 to the West Branch Urban Renewal Plan, with the public hearing scheduled for June 2, 2025.

Consent agenda: The council approved a consent agenda that included liquor licenses for Cedar’s Edge Golf Course Inc. and The Black Rose LLC, the appointment of Brian Alatalo to the Parks & Recreation Commission, the monthly financial report and claims totaling $123,538.86. The minutes note that Councilmember Jerry Sexton abstained from the consent vote due to a conflict on item 6b; the remaining councilmembers voted aye.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the minutes): - Consent agenda: AYES — Colton Miller, Jodee Stoolman, Mike Horihan, Tom Dean; ABSTAIN — Jerry Sexton (conflict on item 6b). - Ordinance 826 (2nd reading): AYES — Sexton, Miller, Stoolman, Horihan, Dean. - Ordinance 827 (2nd reading): AYES — Sexton, Miller, Stoolman, Horihan, Dean. - Resolution 2025-50 (budget amendment): AYES — Sexton, Miller, Stoolman, Dean, Horihan. - Resolution 2025-51 (hire police officer): AYES — Sexton, Horihan, Stoolman, Dean, Miller. - Resolution 2025-52 (MetLife): AYES — Sexton, Horihan, Miller, Dean, Stoolman. - Resolution 2025-53 (Wellmark): AYES — Miller, Sexton, Stoolman, Horihan, Dean. - Resolution 2025-54 (street lights): AYES — Sexton, Miller, Dean, Stoolman, Horihan. - Resolution 2025-55 (URA hearing set): AYES — Sexton, Miller, Stoolman, Horihan, Dean.

What happens next: The council set a follow-up discussion on GO Bond excess funds for May 19 and will hold a public hearing on the Urban Renewal amendment on June 2. The newly hired officer has been sworn in and the insurance renewals take effect per the respective plans.