Linn Valley mayor outlines first 90 days, pledges property-tax review and water-project workshop

Mayor Lester Potter used his first report after the swearing-in to set concrete expectations for his administration's opening 90 days, saying he will produce written, plain-language explanations and host a workshop to resolve outstanding questions on the city's water project. "I wanna use my report tonight to outline what I intend to do in my 1st 90 days," Potter said, adding he will deliver a property-tax review that shows where property-tax dollars go and what options exist to address increases.

Potter listed specific water questions he wants the workshop to address: hookup-permit requirements, whether a lot survey is needed for hookups, the allowable window between meter set and required connection, whether residents must use licensed contractors, minimum dispenser amounts at the fill station and how residents will pay. "We need to ask as council that we set up a workshop in the next few weeks to do that," he said. He also said he has been meeting with city staff to identify bottlenecks and will consider returning to twice-monthly council meetings for at least 90 days to move items faster.

Potter raised animal-control concerns after a recent tragic dog-related incident in a nearby community and asked residents to report dangerous animals so the city can respond under existing ordinances; he said any ordinance changes would be discussed publicly later. "If residents have concerns about whether or not our current ordinances are sufficient or appropriate, I wanna hear your concerns," he said.