City discusses water and makes procedural moves
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By Jeff Snyder
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Mount Ayr City Council largely focused on procedural items, specifically authorizing several resolutions that have to do with banking and money movement during its regularly scheduled meeting Monday night at City Hall.
However, the biggest topic discussed was that of water.
With two council members not in attendance, the conversations shifted to future planning sessions. One of the most important of these future discussions revolve around the city’s plans to manage the ever-increasing costs regarding water fees charged by SIRWA (Southern Iowa Rural Water Authority). Earlier in the year, SIRWA announced to the city that rates for water that the city purchases from SIRWA are expected to double in the next few years from the current rates being charged. The city is working with Northland Public Finance who is helping to design a plan that will minimize any direct impact to the residents of Mount Ayr.
In addition to the water charges, there are also repair and maintenance issues that are connected to the overall water fees SIRWA is imposing on rural communities like those in Ringgold County, specifically towns like Mount Ayr, Diagonal and Kellerton. SIRWA has no direct responsibility over the water infrastructure in Mount Ayr, but their fees have a definite impact on how the city budgets and plans. Water is a critical commodity which is generally only available from large conglomerates like SIRWA.
The council has agreed to make this planning session with Northland a high priority.
City Administrator Brent Wise indicated that representatives of Northland will be attending a future planning meeting to go over every option available to the city. There is a time element to consider as well, knowing that fiscal 2027 is just around the corner.
The first amendment was 2026-47, which relates to a previously approved budget amendment for fiscal year 2026-2027. This amendment simply notifies the public of money transfers that are typically related to expenses that have already occurred or projects that have already been approved by council, but need to be addressed via amendment to the original budgets stated at the beginning of the fiscal period. While this is just an accounting reconciliation, it is required to make sure the state is aware of budget alterations that are needed from time to time.
The second resolution (2026-48) is intended to authorize the city to move monies from one account to another to specifically to pay interest on outstanding obligations. These resolutions also make amends for monies that are donated to the city for distribution throughout city departments such as the fire department or the municipal airport. Resolutions are not uncommon in city budget management but they are particularly important this year as the city prepares to change to a new administrative partner, Frey Systems. The Frey company will assume the role previously occupied by Gworks, the utility management software company that has been a challenge for the city staff for the best part of the last year. Making sure the books are all squared away before these transitions take place is imperative for a trouble free implementation.
Conversations then shifted to the city’s health insurance plans that are nearing their renewal dates toward the end of the year. The city currently carries Wellmark — a Blue Cross, Blue Shield carrier. This topic too will require a deeper dive by council members and city administrators to determine if rates and plan designs are still adequate to meet the city’s needs going forward.
The next scheduled meeting is Monday, October 26.
