Ondrea Elmquist, Boone City Administrator, February 25, 2026

On our program today visiting with Andre Almequest, Moon City Administrator. Good to have you here. Thanks for having me. I was wondering if we were going to have to do the... Boy, you were struggling at the last council meeting.

Yes, yes, I still have a pretty good cough and a little stocked up, but I'm standing on my own two feet this time. There we go. We get around and got a lot of things going on.

It was a very busy council meeting at that last council meeting and unfortunately you were not there, but you were zooming in to do it. I was present. We have some technical things we've got to take care of there on the Zoom part.

We got that taken care of and we figured out the problem. Thank you. So hopefully we know how to fix that in the future.

Well we did have a number of things that went on at that meeting and again just a couple of the highlights that we didn't talk too much about or haven't had a lot of information on.

Brenda Dreyer there brought in the updated information themes, regional alliance, and talked a lot about the housing that's been going on. And yeah, we've got a lot of housing that's been done and a lot more still going on. Absolutely.

With Keith's Landing, it's 128 units, Prairie Place got their residential apartments and commercial that I think they're still looking for people to go into those commercial buildings. So if you're interested in that, make sure you reach out to Hunsakers.

And then we also have two housing developments that we're looking at starting up the building there on Oak Park and the infrastructure on Caperby's Estates over on the east side of Zoom. That's another Hunsaker. That is another Hunsaker.

That will be single-family homes this time. And you know, I can think back quite a ways, probably even before you got here. But the big thing was we just didn't have people that were looking to do sizable developments. And now we are. And yes, you're building officials.

A lot of work to do to keep up. Absolutely. Last year we did 178 housing building permits. Well, Capstone's just getting underway too. Capstone, yes. They are busy doing their demolition. So Page School is hoping to be completed by the end of 2026. So that will be another one.

And we know some people may have seen again on social media that there was a post, a question out there from Elite about if this strip mall were to happen, what would you like to see there and stuff? They've actually approached you about doing something like this.

Not right away this year, but it's a project they've been involved with elsewhere and would like to see one here. Yes. They have partnered with a developer and they're looking at potentially housing units. They're looking at commercial property.

So yeah, they're just kind of exploring it right now to see what their options are. See how it all comes together. Yeah. Busy. Got a lot happening. We did have on the Main Street side, Holly Stekker gave a quick update, kind of a review back at last year.

And they've been pretty busy. It's hard. You know, a lot of people, when you think you look at Main Street and what others have done, you're thinking, okay, well, you can remember this is only a year old. Right. They're really just getting started. Correct. Yes. Yes.

And if you're watching and following along, she's doing a lot more programs and things like that this year. So I definitely recommend you going out and following Downtown Boone on Facebook.

And if you're interested in volunteering for things, they've got places to prove that you need more help. Yes. Well, we did have public hearings last week. It sold parcel, bought it last year, sold it this year. Yeah.

But part of it was once again, Jeremy Pritchard did buy it, but with the intent to build on it. And I saw part of the agreement was non-residential. So again, it's going to be a commercial, some kind of a commercial structure that he'll have located on that property.

This at nine in the 900 block of 8th Street. Yeah, I think it's 932 8th Street. It's just right across the street from Boone Hardware. So yeah, we're looking forward to that. That was something that was in our plans to have that developed.

I'm glad that it got done quicker than later. So we'll be good. And actually, what was Boone Hardware will be Pritchard Brothers because they are in the process. Man, put a side door in that thing so fast. They are really hard at work getting that moved around.

And so it's exciting to see. And I know some people are going to go, oh no, they're moving away from the north side of town, but they've got plans up there too. Yes. My understanding is that they've got a tenant or selling that property to somebody.

So that will not be setting empty. Again, move it, just keep moving. So keep busy with all these things. The one big thing we did have was our public hearing on the $2.146 million general obligation and did actually have some questions raised about it.

I know you responded to some of those using it basically to offset some of the costs that we currently have going on, kind of leading into the DAISY project. The upsizing, I think, that you had for the lift station, the force main project that's going to be going forward.

And I know they're out there doing surveying already. People are going to be surprised when that starts. Yes. So they're still doing the design of the lift station and the force main that's going to the DNR. Here come Mart, I believe.

And then the goal is to bid that this fall to get that started. So this, again, the dollars that we're tying in with this are part of that, covering some of those costs, those expenses tied with that. Yeah.

So with all these water and sewer projects that we have going, part of my job is to figure out the best way financially to cover these, whether it is grants, which we received, the WTFAP grant, that is to cover 50% of the construction of the Headworks project.

And we're going to be applying for the ADA grant, which is to help cover some of the cost of the water tower.

And then the other part of it is trying to figure out how much can we pay in cash, how much do we want to do with debt service and a short term loan versus how much do we put onto the water and the sewer rates, which is how we pay for most of our water and sewer infrastructure.

The 2.146, what we tried to do there is reduce the amount that we needed to come off of the sewer receipts. To do that, we took our tax levy for the current year and looked at what we could do to use that levy to help with those sewer costs.

And that allowed us to do a $2.1 million G.O. bond using our debt service levy and having that bond paid off in three years. That will save the city tremendous amount of money and interest because typically that would be a 20-year bond through SRF.

And this is still an SRF, so we get the advantage of those lower interest rates in addition to that. That helps immensely. Yes. Yes. And it's a matter of how we are going to pay for that. That's the determinations that you have to make.

And I did want to go back because the grant that we did get, the water treatment, what is that? Water treatment facility assistance program. Yeah, the acronym one. But part of that one is tied to the Headworks project, which I say started basically four years ago.

That's when Ag Certain was looking and what kind of capacity do you have and things like that. And that's when we had the first part of the study done and then all of a sudden it was your plant is this old. You need to make some improvements. Yes, this is not for any expansion.

Then at that time, that's when, and people keep talking about these rate increases. So it was a graduated rate increase that was planned for what, over three years to cover the cost of those projects that were going on at that time.

Yes, the first three years for both water and sewer were 3% each for three years. And that was basically we did a study on our plants and we found that each plant needed about $2.5 million in improvements done just to keep them running. Up to date. There are two dozen years old.

They've been out there for quite a while. They grew up at the Water Works. We had several roofs both at the water and the wastewater plant. Yes. They do take wear and tear. They do. So anyway, a lot of those going on now.

So that's what that part of that bond issue is going for really to cover a lot of those. The next one that's coming is going to be a hearing that'll be at your next meeting. 1.3 million revenue. And this one point blank is going for some of the expansion that's coming.

Yes, this is the planning and design loan, which is also an SRF, 0% interest while we're doing the planning and design.

And this is to design the north main, transmission main, that will take a water main along the north side of Boone to get it from the water plant to the east side. This allows for redundancy for our water customers on the east side as well as fire protection services.

You really like this idea for that because any kind of growth or expansion, it's hard to draw off of the old system, basically the existing system, which means you're drawing through town. Yes. Which creates a number of issues. Yes. And we did look at that.

There was the option to go and do a couple of upsizing throughout the town to get the services we needed to serve Daisy, but that would be our limit. So there would still be no ability to serve anybody else. There would not be redundancy.

There would not be additional fire protection. And I believe that cost was about three to four million dollars. And so we looked at that and decided that it was worth putting the extra money into doing the north transmission main to allow us to grow to the east.

So again, basically for folks, if you know, we do have two old, very old transmission mains coming into town and this would be a whole new one and it would be running along the north side of town, along 22nd. Yes. That's a whole great one. Up in that area. So up there.

I don't know exactly where. It's still under planning, but that is the plan. So that's going to be going on. And that's pretty substantial part for, again, doing this. And then you then say that next grant looking for about a million dollars for the water tower. Yes.

That's the EDA economic development assistance grant. That is a federal grant. And I'm going to be working with MIPA out of Des Moines to help fill out that application and help us get that, which they've already been successful in one of those here in Iowa. So.

So then when we're when we're visiting Washington, do we talk to staff and say we're submitting this grant and please be ready to help? Yes. That will definitely be a discussion point.

There's also some discussion in regards to some timing of things that we need to get pushed along. We always talk about the railroad and the underpass and our concerns there. We also promote our our commercial and industrial businesses here and the needs that they have.

So there's a lot of things that we do when we go to D.C. Yeah, I was going to say that at least well, as long as her staff and other people are there, Senator Ernst, well aware of the complaints about frames blocking the crossing. Very well aware of that, too.

We did have a couple other items that came up. So I got to ask you about the school board meeting. And I know that it was one of those things where the school district happened to be one of about a half a dozen had commercial industrial meters.

Waylon said we had some issues with them. And basically it was technology. The tech technology failed. And yet it was and people are going, well, then you should be able to tell. No, because it kept showing that readings were being taken. Yeah.

So it was a battery situation where there's three components onto a meter.

And one of those just slowly, just with everything that we have at home, we know that when batteries start slowing down or on your thermostat, all of a sudden your heat's not working and you go to your thermostat and you're like, oh, that's why.

So we have put in some extra cautions on some running of some reports, looking at those more diligently to help prevent these things. We also are going to keep a better eye on just double checking these commercial industrial meters.

But yes, that it is unfortunate that the school was one of those. And once again, we'll see what you're working with them and doing what you can. Yes. Yes. And the others, I'm guessing you visited with the other businesses that you've been dealing with, too. Yeah.

And the other businesses, they weren't at the extent of the school, thank goodness. Those were just usually just a couple of months that we caught those. So challenges, technology, see, we depend on it so much. We do. And sometimes it's not that good.

Economic Development Committee at the last meeting, one of the things they did do was they had gone out to take a look at what was the hive. And now we're going to have a new business going in there.

They did apply for another one of our grants that we have available, a $5,000 revitalized grant. It's surprising that we've had these for quite a while. And then all of a sudden now people are realizing, oh, they're there. We can use these. Yes. Yeah. And good business plan.

So we'll see what comes together there. Yeah. That'll be at that 710, I think it's a 710 story. 710 story street, it's a coffee place.

Downtown Boone and Ames Regional Alliance do a great job promoting those grants and helping business owners work through those application processes.

So if you're looking at doing something, whether it's for facade or starting up a business, definitely reach out to one of those two organizations and they'll help you get started.

And on the main street side, we know that historic preservation, that's obviously one of their big things. So yeah, we'd love to help with that again on the, you know, I can remember the Bdift projects for a long time have been around.

So yeah, yeah, we've been using them for some time. Let's talk about fireworks here because I don't want to go too far. Contract did come up in one of the questions you had posed to the council was what do you want to do in the 250th anniversary of America? So do we want more?

Do we want less? What all is going to happen? And they said at least go with the contract we've got. Yeah. And unfortunately, you know, as with everything else costs go up.

So in order to even maintain the show that we have been doing probably for the last 15 years, it was an extra $2,000. We have reached out to the racetrack.

He has agreed to increase his donation for those that don't know the racetrack does partner with the city in supporting the airworks show. So we're very grateful of that. And this year it's on a Saturday. I mean, how busy can that be out there? It'll be a great time.

It's going to be an awfully good 4th of July. Yes. We'll have a lot of things that will go on besides that I'm sure. So anyway, that's just one of the other things that came up. So what are we looking at at our next council meeting? Some of the other things you're dealing with?

You know, this council next council meeting is a little bit easy. Let's put it in. Quieter. Quieter. Yes. We got the $1.3 million of public hearing and resolution. And then we have an easement that we need to approve. And then that's about it as of today anyways.

Well, that's good. Yeah. So people understand, and again, when we talk about using SRF funds and things like that, and state revolving loan folks for Iowa Department of Economic Authority, but it does carry some stipulations with it. It does.

And one of those is you have to have, what, 110% your billing? So there are stipulations and guidelines in here that do create additional challenges. Yes. So the 110 requirement, it means that our revenues have to be 10% more than our budgeted expenditures.

And then in addition to that is we have to have that and be able to show that prior to us going out for the bond.

So that's part of the reason why you have, we have a cash reserve there in addition to the fact that we increase these sewer rates expecting that these projects that were going to happen two years ago are just now getting going.

So we have this pot of cash that we'll use instead of utilizing bond, and then that will keep our rates down also. But that is a difficult part of our calculation.

The other thing I'd like to mention that seems to confuse a lot of people or bring up question is that in those bond documents, we are required to publish a notice that states that what the impact to the levy could be.

Not that what it's going to be, but if we were going to go out for a $2.1 million bond, if we were to certify a levy, a debt service levy on that, what could that affect a $100,000 home? And in that case, it was $56 per thousand on a $100,000 home.

But what they failed to mention is that the city is not raising that tax levy. It's part of the levy that you currently have. But that is a requirement. It's the legal publication. It's a legal publication, and we have to publish that. Got to do that. You're not the only one.

No, no, absolutely not. But it does show up for a lot of different things that are out there. But part of it is that's what the law's written. Yes.

It's the same thing that you're going to be seeing here next month with your property tax notices that are going to be going out and trying to explain how our property taxes are going to affect you.

It's not very clear, and I know that the state's trying to revise those letters to try to simplify it better. But they put those regulations in there to try to inform our citizens. But unfortunately, sometimes it causes more questions.

So you're following along, obviously, with what the legislature's been doing with discussions with property taxes, which have been going nowhere in a hurry, I'm saying, because 30 years of covering them, there's always a big push, and what they actually come down to is sometimes a challenge.

Yes. We'll see what comes up. Yes. They're not done, so we don't know. But got to keep track of what's happening. Yeah.

If you're watching, there's three different proposals out there, and I'm sure there's proposals out there that we don't even know about because that's happened before that here we know these three proposals, and then something else gets passed.

So yeah, we just got to keep our eyes open and be aware of what's happening. When we get to, I got to ask about Daisy because people keep asking, Daisy gets here. So what have they been doing?

I mean, are we still just, they were doing a lot of concrete pouring and prep work and stuff like that. Are they gearing up, getting ready to step up? Yeah. They've been working on the footings right now.

We should be seeing some vertical infrastructure here going up in the probably in the next six months. Okay. So getting there. Yeah. And we know the street, again, absolute, doing the work on that.

And so they'll, I mean, you were putting some infrastructure in there, so that was a big part and that should end up moving forward too. And we have a bid somewhere with the DOT on first street. Yes. Yeah. Somewhere we'll find out about that.

I believe that's coming up in April with the construction starting July 1st. Okay. We'd love to get it going earlier. Yeah. We can get it done in time for school. Yeah. Yep. That's the goal.

You know, once we get those bids and we can start talking to the contractors and figuring out the schedule as to when those will get started. All right. Busy time. Got a lot going on and a little quieter meeting so far it appears. Yes. Yeah.

And don't forget, once again, if you were one of those that got a ticket, that was one of the complaints to public safety was parking lots downtown. And we know that the chief did send his people out. Yeah. And we're seeing more parking citations. Yeah.

We are trying to be more consistent on our snow ordinance. Trying to give a bigger lead way. So as soon as we hear that we're going to be getting substantial snow, we are trying to get those notices out there to get people more aware. Tell your friends and neighbors. Yes.

Don't leave them sitting out there too. Yes. And if you have suggestions on how to get it out there, I mean, we put it out on Facebook. We put it out on Nixle, which you can get that text message. Please go out and sign up for that if you haven't. You know, number of ways. Yeah.

We're trying to get it out as much as we can. It's just very difficult to reach everybody. All right. Andre Elmerkist, our guest on our program today. So I think maybe next time we should find out from Wayland just how much he spent on snow removal this year. All right.

Because we started early and then had a little break and all of a sudden, whoa, here we go again. Yeah. All right. Thank you for having me.