WIUM Local
(2008-05-08)
The Fort Madison City Council has once again rejected a proposed MidAmerican Energy franchise fee, amid concerns from business and industrial leaders.
City Manager Larry Dinwiddie says the fee would have generated roughly $150,000.
He says the council now wants to reintroduce a plan to shift sales tax dollars from road projects to the general fund.
Dinwiddie says the city is looking into when the sales tax shift could be placed on the ballot as it would need voter approval.
Residents rejected the same proposal, two years ago, by a nearly 2-1 margin.
*Additional Information*
- The franchise fee vote was 5-2.
- Industries would have paid less under this proposal than a plan floated last summer.
- There are two vacancies in the Police Department and one in the Fire Department.
- Another firefighter will be laid off in July. © Copyright 2013, wium
