Melbourne sets June 14 hearings on budget amendment and 30-year water contract; approves $30,025 CDBG payment

Mayor John White set two public hearings for June 14 during the Melbourne City Council meeting on May 11: one on a proposed second budget amendment to cover possible overages tied to an undetected water leak, and one on renewal of a 30-year contract with Iowa Regional Utilities Association (formerly Central Iowa Water). The mayor directed Clerk Mary Pothast to publish notices for both hearings; the mayor noted the contract price would remain constant under the proposed renewal.

At the same meeting the council approved a final CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) payment of $30,025 for the owner-occupied rehabilitation of the house at 507 Butler. Councilmember Lucas Hauser moved approval; Shawn Goodrich seconded and the roll call vote was unanimous. Council members were David Gibbs, Carrie White, Shawn Goodrich and Lucas Hauser. The clerk will submit the payment to the Iowa Department of Economic Development for reimbursement, and payment to the contractor will be made upon completion of the work. The council was told Region 6 is adding additional funds to cover a bathroom redo.

Why this matters: the budget amendment hearing responds to a potential shortfall in the water budget tied to an undetected leak; the long-term water contract would lock in utilities pricing for 30 years. The CDBG payment advances an individual housing rehabilitation project funded by federal grant dollars and administered through the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

Next steps: the city will publish public hearing notices as directed; both hearings are scheduled for the June 14 council meeting. The CDBG payment will be processed for reimbursement after contractor completion and the clerk's submission to state administrators.