The City of Webster City spent $1.9 million rebuilding Fair Meadow Drive between Superior and Des Moines streets in 2024. Most of the expense went toward substantial rebuilding and upgrading of utilities under the street, and new roadway improvements to create a third lane to handle greatly increased traffic on the street, principally in and out of Kwik-Star. A small portion of the project total was spent on a new sidewalk on the north side of Fair Meadow Drive, shown here.

In the last year, homebuilders and contractors doing business in Webster City have complained the City’s building permits are more expensive than those in other, similarly-sized cities in Iowa. The City responded by examining its permitting fees and comparing them with other cities. “Right now, we’re very focused on being competitive and consistent in administration of building fees and permits,” Community Development Director Ariel Bertran said. “In July, Council lowered a number of our building fees pretty significantly. Tonight, they approved similar action on our electrical permits and fees.”

Specifically, the fee to install an electrical system with 0-100 amp capacity was reduced from $70 to $25.

Similarly, a permit to install or upgrade a system of 101-200 amp capacity was reduced from $95 to $35.

One hundred amp, and even 60 amp systems are common in older homes, but 200 amp service is the standard for new residences and small commercial buildings today. The reason is simple: More and more electricity is consumed today than 50 or 75 years ago.

The cost of permits to install temporary electrical service or detached garage wiring remains unchanged at $120 and $60, respectively.

Bertran further commented, “We found our plumbing and mechanical permits are competitive as they stand, so we anticipate no changes there.”

Asked about the impact of the changes, Councilman Matt McKinney said, “It makes sense to periodically evaluate fees. We want to remain competitive and work with contractors and builders to encourage construction here in Webster City.”

He complimented Bertran and other city staff for “doing a good job of listening to our customers and taking appropriate action.”

In other actions, the City Council:

— Updated the City’s capitalization policy to allow so-called “bulk assets” to be valued collectively rather than individually. As an example, assets with relatively low value, such as computers and office furniture would be “bundled” together for valuation purposes. The new policy is in alignment with the Government Accounting Standards Board, which are followed by the City.

— Extended the term of the planning and design loan for the City’s new wastewater treatment plant to cover the cost of ongoing planning and design work. Originally approved by the Council in November, 2021, in the amount of $2 million, a total of $711,304.84 has already been spent.

Much of this was used by Bolton & Menk to design a plant that would have been located in the City’s Southeast Industrial Park. Snyder & Associates replaced Bolton & Menk on the project early in 2024, and it is now believed a suitable wastewater treatment plant can be built at far lower cost.

— Authorized the Street Department to sign and execute change order No. 2 and make partial payment for the Fair Meadow Drive reconstruction project. All work on the project west of Superior Street has been completed. Remaining work on the project east of Superior Street will commence next spring. Change order No. 2 covers an adjustment to as-built quantities and City-approved additions to the project. The partial payment, in the amount of $133,322.13, will be made to general contractor Castor Construction of Fort Dodge.

— Mayor John Hawkins proclaimed Saturday, December 7, 2024, First LEGO League Day in Webster City. He noted that up to 28 teams from across Iowa will come to Webster City High School to compete in what’s described as “a friendly competition where students aged 9 to 16 engage in research, problem-solving and engineering.” Benefits of the program include showing students how working together in practically applying science, technology and engineering, can lead to success, including large cash prizes for national qualifiers and winners.