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Glenwood resident urges Mills County to pursue licensing, audits and stronger emergency planning
Summary
Henry Clark called on the board to consider licensing out-of-jurisdiction businesses, pursue a sales-tax audit and strengthen emergency-management planning after recounting a flood-related death; board members acknowledged the ideas and asked staff for follow-ups.
Henry Clark of Glenwood used his public-comment time to propose several revenue measures and to criticize local emergency-management preparedness.
"There's a couple of ways to reduce property tax. 1 is just reduce spending. The other 1 is increase revenue... I recommend we start licensing outside jurisdiction companies coming in here. 1000 dollar per year..." Clark said, suggesting an annual licensing fee for businesses operating in the county but based elsewhere. He estimated the proposal could yield roughly $300,000 per year and suggested portions be allocated to licensing and sheriff duties.
Clark also recounted an emergency-management failure: "A good friend of mine died from that flood... Why wasn't he stopped? Why didn't someone rescue him?" He urged better preparedness, first-aid training and clarity on mutual-aid arrangements. Board members thanked him for the ideas and said staff would look into potential steps, including contacting the fairboard for clearer accounting around a separate agenda item.
The board did not adopt any of Clark's proposals at the meeting; his suggestions were offered for staff and policy discussion.
