Local Budgets

'Where's the flood?' (03/19/10)
On Wednesday, Governor Chet Culver signed a disaster declaration for the Army Corps of Engineers to provide assistance in Dickinson County. Thursday morning, representatives from the Corps' Omaha office were on site at Lower Gar, just northeast of Milford, meeting with potential contractors and local utility providers as a group of very unhappy Lower Gar area residents and Milford Mayor Don Lamb looked on...

Spencer project included in D.C. delegations (03/18/10)
Fifteen delegates. Eight projects. Four counties. Two days. Those numbers paint the picture of recent delegations between representatives of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Region and their representatives in Washington, D.C., last Thursday and Friday. The delegates representing Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet counties advocated for overall support as well as an estimated $10.4 million in assistance for eight projects. ...

No fireworks in final Eggs & Issues session (03/16/10)
With Democrats Sen. Jack Kibbie and Rep. Marcie Frevert -- both of Emmetsburg, -- absent from the final Eggs & Issues session Saturday, Spencer City Council chambers never really heated up with back-and-forth dialogue. Rep. Mike May who was participating in his final Spencer Chamber of Commerce legislative event, took the opportunity to thank those he has served in District 6...

Mayor, council disagree on tree-trimming refunds (03/16/10)
Of 125 individuals who were not compliant with Spencer's tree-trimming ordinance last fall, 45 have filed affidavits for refunds and another 38 citizens notified the city they wanted their fees canceled, for a total of $7,337.50 in reimbursements, City Manager Bob Fagen said during a Committee of the Whole meeting Monday...

Tree-trimming revisions to be reviewed by council (03/13/10)
Community feedback caused the Spencer City Council to rethink a tree-trimming ordinance last fall. On Monday, the council will meet during a 5:45 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to receive updates on the situation. When the council began enforcing the ordinance, many residents disagreed with the process...

Conlin concerned about health care (03/09/10)
The availability of health care is a top priority for U.S. Senate candidate Roxanne Conlin, largely because she can relate to those without insurance. When she was 14, she got an ear infection. With no money for medication, no insurance and no car to take her to a doctor, she was forced to let the infection run its course, resulting in permanent, partial hearing loss in her left ear...

City, county officials launch task force (03/05/10)
As the sun shines and the snow melts, not only are water levels in area rivers and streams expected to rise, but flood concerns will be rising, as well. To alleviate some of those concerns, Spencer and Clay County officials have formed the 2010 Flood Outlook Task Force...

Legislators discuss rising health care costs, texting while driving (03/02/10)
When the third Eggs and Issues legislative forum of the season began Saturday morning in Spencer, attendees were encouraged to not ask the three participating state legislators about same-sex marriage or right-to-work issues, common themes of the first two sessions held this year. Even with the majority party not represented at the gathering, Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan; Rep. Mike May, R-Spirit Lake; and Rep. Royd Chambers, R-Sheldon; addressed a variety of issues ranging from oversight of the Department of Natural Resources and texting while behind the wheel to health care concerns and statewide budget cuts. ...

City council approves refinancing bond (03/02/10)
A high bond rating has allowed the city of Spencer to entertain eight different refinancing bond offers from 15 different underwriters.

Castillo-Alvarez back in Clay County Jail (02/26/10)
"He's back." Those words, spoken by Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow, referenced the return of Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez to the Clay County Jail. Clay County Sheriff' deputies transported Castillo-Alvarez from Newton's state prison back to the Clay County holding facility on a felony charge for furnishing an intoxicating beverage to inmates at a detention facility during his previous year-and-a-half stay. ...

Lt. Gov. Judge emphasizes jobs (02/19/10)
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Reporter Thursday, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge focused on jobs from start to finish, as she discussed items she and Gov. Chet Culver hope to see accomplished during a shortened, 80-day legislative session. "We're very much aware -- as everyone in the state is -- that we're in the midst of a worldwide recession and people are concerned, and rightfully so," Judge said. ...

Committee looks to promote census (02/18/10)
Stand and be counted. Or at least take 10 minutes to answer 10 questions for the 2010 U.S. Census. That is the message a committee of city and county officials will be trying to promote through public service announcements on radio and television as well as information posted on the Spencer and Clay County Web sites...

Snow removal takes big bites out of budgets (02/13/10)
Snow and slush flies out of the way as Tom Walker maneuvers his snowplow through Spencer's streets. He and his coworkers in Spencer's street division have spent a lot of time on those streets this winter. Clay County road workers can say the same about their routes...

Eggs & Issues: Legislators weigh in on status of the state (02/02/10)
There were eggs - eggs sandwiches to be exact. And there were issues - there are definitely issues. Local state legislators met in council chambers at Spencer City Hall Saturday morning to take part in the first of four scheduled Eggs & Issues forums. Republicans: Senator David Johnson (Ocheyedan) and Representatives Mike May (Spirit Lake) and Royd Chambers (Sheldon),...

Budget, street projects top council meeting (02/02/10)
Before diving into a department-by-department breakdown of Spencer's budget at Monday's city council meeting, City Manager Bob Fagen made one thing clear. While the tax rate is not increasing, the amount of taxes paid by residents will increase due to a change in the state of Iowa rollback.

Council meeting to include budget overview (01/30/10)
It's that time of year again; time for the city council to work on hammering out the city budget. Monday's 6:30 p.m. meeting will include budget overview as part of that process. The state rollback for residential profit is increasing from 45.59 percent in fiscal year 2009-2010 to 46.91 percent in 2010-2011. For example, taxes on $100,000 will cost $1.29 more per month, compared to the previous year...

Roberts concerned about spending (01/29/10)
"Money doesn't grow on trees... Until I was first elected to the Iowa House, I thought all adults were like that," Rod Roberts told a small, vocal group of about 25 individuals at the Clay County Regional Events Center Thursday night. "(Other elected officials) began making decisions and acting like there's an orchard out back the capitol."

Caucuses kick off election season (01/26/10)
What a difference two years can make. On Jan. 3, 2008, about 900 Democrats met across Clay County and more than 600 Republicans convened to participate in the Iowa Caucuses. While Saturday marked the 2010 Iowa Caucuses, participation numbers were anemic with eight Democrats gathering at Iowa Lakes Community College as about 60 Republicans assembled at the Clay County Regional Events Center...

Rants emphasizes lowering property taxes (01/21/10)
A perfect storm is brewing in Iowa, gubernatorial candidate Chris Rants, R-Sioux City, told a group of about 50 people at the Clay County Regional Events Center Tuesday night. The former Speaker of the House identified a lack of job development, escalating taxes and an outdated, unconstitutional school aid funding formula as the three biggest problems currently facing the state at the Informed Voter Forum sponsored by the Clay County Tea Party Patriots...

'Purple Monkeys' advise council on SMS safety issue (01/21/10)
Taken out of context, the fact that the Spencer City Council are looking to Purple Flying Monkeys to solve a perceived safety issue facing the Spencer Middle School might have residents questioning their decision at the voting booths. But during Monday night's council meeting, the "Monkeys," comprised of the middle school's female Lego League members, presented a study that demonstrated pedestrian dangers for students arriving at the middle school in the morning...

Linn recognized for service (01/05/10)
After more than three decades of public service, Clay County Deputy Sheriff Dennis Linn is retiring. The 53-year-old retiree was surrounded by family and friends Monday afternoon during a retirement reception held in his honor at the Clay County Administration building in Spencer. ...

Snow emergency issued, holiday travel discouraged (12/24/09)
The second winter storm to hit Spencer this month is looking like a grinch for those who had Christmas travel plans. "We're asking you to be aware of this as holiday plans begin to unfold," said meteorologist Todd Heitkamp who issued a storm update through streaming video on the National Weather Service Web site in Sioux Falls, S.D. "Travel will be impossible and not recommended across much of the Upper Midwest this holiday season."...

Board members, legislators mull over upcoming legislative session (12/17/09)
Spencer school board members have received predictions, as well as advance warnings, from three area legislators in regard to what challenges the district's coffers and local taxpayers' wallets may expect in response to Iowa's budget shortfall and across-the-board cuts ordered by the governor. During a nighttime work session held this week, Sen. David Johnson, Reps. Royd Chambers and Mike May told the locally-elected representatives that the upcoming legislative session will probably be a "compressed situation" that will be "all about budget and very little about policy." ...

Area economic development programs adapt to loss of funds (12/17/09)
Despite a cut of over $7 million reaching state economic development services, many Lakes area corridor organizations under this umbrella are keeping their heads above water. The solvency of programs including the Mainstreet/Rural Mainstreet Program in Spencer, the the Iowa Lakes Corridor Corporation and the regional offices of Iowa Workforce Development are the result of a number of financial alternatives, including federal funding, local business support and grants...

Transportation projects roll on despite cuts (12/15/09)

Natural resources at risk in State cuts (12/12/09)
Iowa's natural resources have not been spared in the State's 10 percent across-the-board budget clear-cutting, and northwest Iowa environmental leaders wonder how deep the roots of economic damage may run. One of the largest expenditure cuts from the DNR falls in the state parks funding...

DHS program changes to save millions (12/11/09)
In order to slash over $132 million from its budget this fiscal year, Iowa's largest service agency is looking at sizable cuts to jobs, provider rates and service delivery. While an Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) spokesperson describes the impact of the cuts being made as "drastic" and "quite severe," Roger Munns is also trying to assure state residents and DHS clients that the state will make it through and the situation will turn around eventually...

Justice: At what cost? (12/10/09)
Need a sign of the times? Look for one taped on the locked clerk of court's door, below a holiday wreath, at the Clay County Courthouse. "Iowa Court Offices Closed," it said, on the first of 10 days targeted by the judicial branch for a cost-saving shutdown...

City, employees agree: 1 percent increase (12/08/09)
The city and the Spencer Employees Association concluded negotiations Monday night following Spencer City Council approval of a one-year contract. The agreement received unanimous support and calls for a 1 percent across-the-board increase in the salary matrix for city employees...

Snow Emergency Tuesday night (12/08/09)
City staff began putting together the details of a snow emergency Monday night at the Spencer City Council meeting, in anticipation of a winter storm in the area for Tuesday into Wednesday. "The equipment is ready, the sanders are full and the plows are on and fueled and ready for weather," said Spencer Public Works Director Mark White...

State cuts taking a toll on NW Iowa (12/05/09)
"The first cut is the deepest," muses a classic song. The global economic crisis has hit home belatedly, but with full force, in Iowa and local communities this season. The bleeding can be felt from the slashes in school budgets to the trauma of sudden job losses...

Milford council selects new city administrator (12/03/09)
The current city manager of Madison, Minn., was approved Wednesday night as the next city administrator of Milford. Matthew Skaret emerged from 49 applicants for the opening and is expected to begin Jan. 18. Madison is about 160 miles away, on Minnesota's western border and near Watertown, S.D...

Spencer school CEO: No 'major budget reductions' anticipated this year (11/27/09)
As Spencer school board members were presented with district line item budgets from 1998-99 through this and next school year's budget estimates, they were told by the district's CEO this week that tough choices will need to be made. "But the message I want out there is we are not going to go through any major budget reductions this year," Superintendent Greg Ebeling also assured. "We are going to look at using attrition through early retirements as a possibility. But, there is not going to be any big, 'This is what we're going to do for budget cuts for the coming fiscal year.' ... A year from now, if we're in the position where we have to make reductions, we'll have plenty of time leading up to them, which will allow us to talk about the process, what we're going to do and how it's going to look."

Pet cemetery request passes on split vote (11/17/09)
Many of the logistics have yet to be worked out, but an area of De Wolf Park near U.S. Highway 18 in east Spencer appears to be the future site of a pet cemetery. Members of the Spencer City Council directed city staff to establish the criteria for an animal resting place with a 4-3 vote. The measure drew support from Ward 1 council member George Kruger, Ward 4 council member Randy Swanson, Ward 5 council member Ron Hanson and at-large council member David Scott...

Salesman's grab leads to charges (11/13/09)
A 71-year-old, door-to-door magazine salesman faces a charge of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse after he allegedly groped a potential customer during a house call. Clay County Deputies were called to a Webb neighborhood at about 7:30 p.m. Monday after a resident called authorities to report an incident of sexual misconduct...

Ne'er too late: 95 year old votes for first time (11/07/09)
Marion Peters heard the same question asked in disbelief, over and over, earlier this week. "You've never voted?" her daughter-in-law, Betty Peters asked. The same question came from Darlene Enderton, the chairwoman of the city of Webb's voting precinct...

Incumbents fare well in Spencer (11/03/09)

State cuts to create cash flow issue for Spencer schools (10/31/09)
School districts across Iowa are attempting to figure out how to deal with Gov. Chet Culver's 10 percent across-the-board cut, and what it means for their annual budgets which have already been set. Spencer residents were told this week that the diminished amount they'll be working to offset is $890,735. ...

Contested council race headlines Spencer ballot (10/31/09)
A newcomer who believes in term limits and a council member who has served the city for the past 28 years are both seeking the Spencer City Council at-large seat Tuesday as voters go to the polls. Randy Plagman and incumbent David A. Scott both met the filing deadline to appear on the Nov. 3 municipal ballot...

Read steps down as Milford City Administrator (10/13/09)
Milford's longtime city administrator is moving on to another city with attractions nearby. Bryan Read will bring his eight-year tenure to a close with Milford City Council action Monday night. He's leaving the Iowa Great Lakes area to become the city administrator for Brandon, S.D., a growing suburb near Sioux Falls...

Attendees request full REAP funding (10/08/09)
Residents from the nine-county area gathered in Spencer this week to voice their individual thoughts on how Iowa's REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) program might be made better. The 49 people who gathered at Tuesday night's assembly in the Clay County Regional Events Center unanimously expressed a desire for the program to receive full funding, allowing it to more fully enhance and protect Iowa's natural and cultural resources...

Fong campaign comes to Spencer (10/06/09)
"It's spin or accounting tricks," Christian Fong said of the state budget. "But it's not common sense." The insurance executive from Cedar Rapids made his first campaign stop Monday in Spencer and touted himself as a social conservative and economist who pledged to shrink the size of state government by 5 percent in his first year as governor...

City, school collaboration on council agenda (09/19/09)
Sidewalks, ramps and street crossings in the area of Lincoln School would be improved as part of an effort to make walking routes safer for Spencer students. Members of the Spencer City Council will be asked to authorize a "Safe Routes to School" grant application as part of its 6:30 p.m. meeting Monday at city hall...

Spencer incumbents file to run again (09/18/09)
The filing deadline to appear on the Nov. 3 municipal election ballot expired at 5 p.m. Thursday and incumbent Reynold Peterson completed the paperwork to seek his third term as Spencer's mayor. He was the only candidate for mayor to meet the deadline. Three city council members and two incumbents on the Spencer Hospital Board of Trustees also have uncontested races, barring write-in campaigns...

Grand Avenue enhancements to begin this month (09/01/09)
The $2.4 million Grand Avenue bridge and boulevard enhancement projects that are being rolled into one over the next construction year are a bit shy of funds to be truly grand, organizers told a group that gathered Monday night in Spencer City Hall's council chambers. Because of this, residents can expect to see modifications occur with the project, as well as be asked to help pay for a small portion of it. In particular, property owners along Grand Avenue will be asked over the next three weeks to chip in a tax-deductible contribution to assist with the replacement of all the area's sidewalks. ...

Spencer among 'Great Place' grant recipients (08/08/09)
Gov. Chet Culver and Lt. Gov. Patty Judge recently announced funding for a pair of local projects as part of the five-year-old Iowa Great Places program. The city will receive $85,000 for a Spencer Community Theatre remodeling and expansion effort. Another $80,000 grant will go toward boulevard and bridge enhancements along the Grand Avenue corridor...

Grand Avenue set to become beautified (08/04/09)
Light will be shed on a Spencer beautification project that's been nine years in the making as it finally begins to see its first visible phase unfold within the next few weeks. Spencer Park Board and Spencer City Council members approved awarding a $1.4 million contract to Midstates Builders, Inc. Monday night. With the approved contract in hand, the local general contractor is scheduled to enhance the town's Grand Avenue bridge and Grand Avenue boulevards from Eighth to 18th Street over the next year.

Jury sides with Royal in wedding chapel dispute (08/01/09)
The dispute between Royal Wedding Chapel, Inc. owner Gerald "Lee" Youde and the city of Royal began with a business permit application. It ended with a 8.5-pound court file and a July 22 jury verdict at the Clay County Courthouse. Yes, Youde can still conduct wedding ceremonies out of the decommissioned Lutheran church he bought back in 2003. ...

Emergency grant announced for RR Donnelley workers (07/23/09)
U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis used a central Iowa stop Wednesday to announce a $664,000 emergency grant for Spencer's displaced RR Donnelley workers. R. Scott Bigelow, the vice president of human resources at RR Donnelley, informed city leaders on Jan. 13 that the company planned to close its Spencer location. The decision left 160 employees out of work. Subsequent layoffs occurred throughout February and March 2009...

Residents can weigh in on pet cemetery issue (07/18/09)
It won't come to a vote, but residents who want a place of rest for their beloved pet will have a chance to be heard Monday. Members of the Spencer City Council will hold a pet cemetery public hearing as part of the regular meeting Monday night. A 5:15 p.m. public works committee hearing precedes the 6:30 p.m. council meeting at Spencer City Hall. The pet cemetery issue is early on the council agenda...

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