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EAGLE LAKE — City Council held their final meeting of the year on Tuesday, Dec. 12 to discuss several items including the holiday decorations as well as deciding on accepting an election services contract with the county for the upcoming Municipal Elections.
The Election Services Contract received by the Council from the county confirmed that the county elections administration would provide service for Eagle Lake’s Municipal Elections on May 4, 2024. City Secretary Lina Ferguson confirmed that the city had budgeted for the service, and the Council unanimously approved the motion to run the election through the county’s Elections Office. The final filing deadline for the Municipal Election was on Dec. 18.
City Manager Charles “Tink” Jackson presented the proposed rate increases by AEP, the utility service provider in Eagle Lake. The suggested increase would hike residential utility rates by nearly $3 per month. Jackson explained that the rate change would lessen AEP’s financial burden for their infrastructure and pass the responsibility to their clients. Jackson said that cities often band together to fight rate increases like these against utility companies. Jackson expressed that taking action could help limit the rate increase to $1 per month. The Council approved a resolution that denied the rate increase in Eagle Lake and allowed the city to join with fellow cities served by AEP and to hire legal counsel for their efforts.
The Council discussed a grant program to promote businesses downtown to change their business signs to lighted signs that would remain illuminated at night. The program would be intended to increase the aesthetic of the downtown area with grant money provided by the city for the signs. The city will reach out to the business owners downtown to gauge interest for the program.
In other news, the city is hoping to purchase new holiday decorations to better prepare the town’s buildings for Christmas next year. Part of the proposed changes included securing a larger Christmas Tree for the official lighting. The council discussed potentially bringing back the tradition of residents bringing in a live tree from the prairie and being decorated with efforts by residents in the city.
The city is also planning to increase the rental rate for the Community Center. The prior rate at $400 for a midnight-to-midnight slot had been at a price level much lower than similar services in surrounding towns. The proposed increases are intended to help keep a general fund for maintenance and upgrades in the Community Center.
Mayor Tim Kelley recognized a couple of 4-H Clubs for their volunteering service during Veterans Day. The Whispering Oaks 4-H Club and the Eagle Lake 4-H Club each received a plaque from the mayor as he commended the groups for their ongoing contributions to the community.
