Red Oak City Council approves sewer-billing change, local grants and a Planning & Zoning appointment

Red Oak City Council on March 16, 2026 approved a slate of ordinances and resolutions that will change how sewer billing is calculated, provide local grant awards, and adjust personnel pay tied to utility certifications.

The council, meeting at the Red Oak Fire Station and chaired by Mayor Timothy Fridolph, approved the final reading of Ordinance 2026-02 to calculate monthly sewer quantities based on water usage each month rather than on averaged usage. The ordinance takes effect April 1, 2026. The motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Councilperson Jeanice Lester and seconded by Sharon Bradley; the roll-call vote was recorded as all ayes.

Council also approved Resolution 2026-25, establishing a sewer forgiveness provision that allows either sewer forgiveness for customers with a second meter or one annual pool-filling forgiveness. The resolution passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

On financial assistance, the council approved Resolution 2026-22 awarding DUR grants to two local property owners: $2,307.24 to Dave Carbaugh (State Farm), 111 E. Reed Street, and $7,500 to Roger and Beth Vial, 300 E. Coolbaugh. The motion was moved by Adam Hietbrink, seconded by Jeanice Lester, and carried by roll call.

Personnel and administrative items approved included Resolution 2026-23 authorizing the finance manager/clerk to attend the Iowa Municipal Professional Institute and Resolution 2026-21 authorizing wage adjustments for staff who attain water and wastewater grade certifications. The council also appointed Jeff Gigstad to the Planning and Zoning Commission (Resolution 2026-24), with a term expiring in 2028.

Separately, the council approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the March 2, 2026 meeting and claims totaling $110,232.75.

The council approved an annual liquor-license application for the Pudgy Pumpkin in a separate roll-call vote; Councilpersons Sharon Bradley, Levi Franks and Jeanice Lester voted aye and Councilperson Adam Hietbrink abstained. The motion carried.

City Administrator Lisa Kotter reported on several administrative matters during department reports, including an Evergreen Cemetery cleanup deadline of April 1, activity involving Iowa EMS consultants, an upcoming levy hearing, and an ISU data-collection visit. Councilperson Jeanice Lester noted an upcoming Hotel/Motel Grant meeting on March 25 and participation in Leadership Red Oak. Mayor Fridolph adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

What happens next: The ordinance on sewer billing is effective April 1; council will consider a resolution listing items that require building permits at the April 6 meeting.