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MOORLAND - The town of Moorland may be small, but its residents have some big expectations for its mayor and City Council.

Around 30 residents of the town - population 196 - showed up to address their concerns and have their questions answered about issues they believe the community faces during a candidate forum at the United Church of Christ Congregational Thursday evening.

There are seven candidates vying for the four available seats on the Moorland City Council. Mayor Brad Hoffman is also up for re-election and is running unopposed.

"We're here because to get votes people have to know what you stand for," said Pat Jorgensen, a write-in candidate for City Council who is using "More for Moorland" as her campaign slogan.

"My grandparents always said this was the best place in the world to live," said City Council candidate Julie Schwering. "I want that to continue."

Prior to the hourlong meeting, residents anonymously submitted their questions - which ranged from the candidates' priorities to how to maintain the city park - in writing. Many residents of the community believe that there has been a lack of communication between city officials and residents, and want to be better informed on how the city is being maintained and where its money is being spent. Others don't believe their water bills are being sent out in a timely manner.

Marlys Traster, a 16-year member of the City Council, believes things are being done to make Moorland a better place, but that its residents are not attending council meetings to become informed or volunteering to help out.

"Communication isn't good because people don't come to the meetings," she said. "People are complaining about how the parks look. I've gone out there and mowed them myself, but no one volunteers to help. They ask about street improvements - we had $8,000 of work done to the road near the tavern last year, but did anyone come to the meetings to find out about it?"

Many asked about the possibility of getting a sewer system in place in the town, which Hoffman said would cost in excess of $1 million to build. Most Moorland residents currently have septic tanks.

"We've looked into this," Hoffman said. "It would cost more than $1 million to hook into Fort Dodge's system, let alone get our own."

Traster said many of the town's residents would not be able to afford the increased cost of their water bills if a sewer was to be added to Moorland.

"I don't think many of the people here would be able to afford paying toward that $1 million," she said. "We're trying to think of the people who can't afford to pay toward it."

"Keeping the septic is the best financial way to do it," Hoffman added.

Other topics discussed included grant applications, park maintenance, city budgets and salaries and the road use tax.

"We just want to do the best we can for everyone in Moorland," said council candidate Deb Rauhauser. "We don't have much to work with, but we need to work with each other."

"We can get more for Moorland if we continue to work together," said Jorgensen.

Contact Emilie Nelson at (515) 573-2141 or enelson@messengernews.net