Panora council approves purchase of 2019 Freightliner, sets budget-amendment hearing; backs workforce housing application

The Panora City Council on Monday, June 8, 2026, approved a series of routine and capital items, including a $134,900 purchase agreement for a 2019 Freightliner M2-106 and a unanimous vote to support a workforce housing tax-incentive application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for construction of three homes.

Mayor Curtis Thornberry opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m. and called the roll. Councilmembers Roger Dorr, Brian Dorsett, Tom Flanery and Blake Michelsen were present; Mark Sheeder was absent. The meeting was accessible electronically as allowed by Iowa Code Section 21.8.

Councilmember Tom Flanery moved and Roger Dorr seconded approval of the meeting agenda; the motion carried unanimously. The council also approved consent items by a unanimous vote, including minutes of the May 26, 2026 regular meeting and retail tobacco licenses for Casey’s General Store #92 (Casey’s Marketing Company) and Panora Hometown Foods (Reinhart Bros, Inc).

On council business, members approved GAX #15, the closeout of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Contract 23-HSCU-005 for $5,658.00; Brian Dorsett moved and Roger Dorr seconded the motion. Mayor Thornberry said he would sign a letter confirming that noise levels were mitigated per the contract as part of the closeout process.

The council adopted Resolution 26-30 to set a public hearing on the proposed FY 2025–2026 Budget Amendment #3. Blake Michelsen moved to approve the resolution, seconded by Tom Flanery; the council set the public hearing for Monday, June 22, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at Panora City Hall.

Resolution 26-31, approving a purchase agreement with Altec NUECO, LLC for a 2019 Freightliner M2-106 in the amount of $134,900, was approved after a motion by Roger Dorr and a second by Blake Michelsen. The resolution carried on a unanimous roll call.

The council also approved Resolution 26-32 to support a Workforce Housing Tax Incentive Application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority by Origin Homes III, LLC for a project to construct three homes. Brian Dorsett moved the resolution and Tom Flanery seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Financial matters were handled by unanimous votes: Blake Michelsen moved (seconded by Roger Dorr) to approve the bills payable, and Roger Dorr moved (seconded by Tom Flanery) to approve the monthly financial statements.

City Administrator Lisa Grossman provided a verbal report and Brian Dorsett updated the council on the EMS Advisory Committee meeting. Mayor Thornberry called for adjournment at 5:50 p.m.; Michelsen moved, Flanery seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

Votes at a glance: - Agenda approval: motion by Tom Flanery, second Roger Dorr; outcome: approved unanimously. - Consent items (minutes 05-26-26; retail tobacco licenses for Casey’s General Store #92 and Panora Hometown Foods): moved by Roger Dorr, second Blake Michelsen; outcome: approved unanimously. - CDBG closeout (GAX #15; Contract 23-HSCU-005, $5,658.00): moved by Brian Dorsett, second Roger Dorr; outcome: approved unanimously. - Resolution 26-30 (set public hearing for FY2025–26 Budget Amendment #3 for June 22, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.): moved by Blake Michelsen, second Tom Flanery; outcome: approved unanimously. - Resolution 26-31 (purchase agreement with Altec NUECO, LLC for 2019 Freightliner M2-106, $134,900): moved by Roger Dorr, second Blake Michelsen; outcome: approved unanimously. - Resolution 26-32 (support Workforce Housing Tax Incentive Application by Origin Homes III, LLC for 3 homes): moved by Brian Dorsett, second Tom Flanery; outcome: approved unanimously. - Financial approvals (bills payable; monthly financials): motions by Blake Michelsen and Roger Dorr respectively; outcomes: approved unanimously.

Next steps: the council will hold the public hearing on the FY 2025–2026 Budget Amendment #3 on June 22, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at Panora City Hall.