Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building Incentive Program topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Branch council votes 3-2 to terminate Building Incentive Program after resident protest
Summary
After public comment and divided debate, the West Branch City Council approved Resolution 2024-18 to end the Building Incentive Program; supporters cited budget pressures while opponents urged preserving rebates for eligible homeowners.
The West Branch City Council voted 3-2 on March 4 to end the city’s Building Incentive Program, a measure that prompted public comment and split votes among council members.
Rebecca Whitaker, a West Branch resident, told the council she was “disappointed” by the proposal and said the program helped attract her to the community; she called the proposed termination “false advertisement.” Her remarks came during public comment before the council took up the resolution.
Why it matters: The program, created in 2015 with input from builders, realtors and local stakeholders, provided financial incentives tied to new construction; supporters of keeping parts of the program said the rebates helped homeowners and local development, while those in favor of ending it said the city must reallocate limited funds to operations and services now in demand.
During debate, Council member Jerry Sexton — a member of the original 2015 committee — said he supports continuing the rebate portion for those already eligible and noted the program’s role in stimulating growth. Council member Nick Goodweiler argued the city should end the program and use the freed funds to hire a Parks & Recreation Director, saying residents expect a continued level of programming.
Finance Officer Heidi Van Auken told the council that an additional $300,000 added to the police budget was one factor the administration cited when identifying cuts. City Administrator Adam Kofoed said staff reviewed multiple line items before proposing the program’s termination and described the decision as a difficult trade-off: “I struggle with giving property owners who can afford a new home, over kids from the mobile home village who can’t afford recreation activities,” he said, adding that “sacrifices have to be made somewhere.”
The motion to approve Resolution 2024-18 (to terminate the Building Incentive Program) was made by Council member Jerry Sexton and seconded by Council member Tom Dean. The measure passed with votes in favor from Dean, Goodweiler and Horihan; Sexton and Stoolman voted no.
What’s next: The resolution passed at the March 4 meeting effects the program termination as approved; the council did not adopt a separate phase-out rebate or exception at the meeting. Any administrative implementation steps or notifications to affected homeowners were not specified in the meeting record.
Council action: Resolution 2024-18 — Approving the termination of the West Branch Building Incentive Program — approved 3–2 (ayes: Tom Dean, Nick Goodweiler, Mike Horihan; nays: Jerry Sexton, Jodee Stoolman).
