While none of the candidates thought the water bills will be reduced anytime soon, some called for a plan to help some residents pay them.

”I know for a fact that the water bills are getting way too high,” said Gregory Gubbels, who is running for the Ward 4 council seat.

There was a general consensus that promoting economic growth will require a combination of incentives and quality of life amenities.

”It takes a little bit of everything,” said Councilwoman Lydia Schuur, who is seeking her second term as an at-large councilmember.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Kim Alstott, Fort Dodge City Council member, speaks during a City Council candidate forum Thursday evening at the Bioscience & Health Science Building on the Iowa Central Community College campus. Alstott is seeking reelection to represent Ward 4.

Tax increment financing is a commonly used tool for the city government to aid development projects, and the candidates were generally in favor of that.

”I am in favor of using TIF when it comes to anything to increase business in Fort Dodge,” said Brooke Bickford, who is running for one of two at-large council seats to be filled in the Nov. 2 general election.

”I do think it needs to be utilized more for some of the projects that bring more business to town,” she added.

The candidates for the at-large seats are Richard Higgins, Quennel McCaleb, Bickford and Schuur.

In Ward 4, which is the north central portion of the city, Gubbels is challenging Councilman Kim Alstott, who is seeking his sixth term.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Brooke Bickford, candidate for Fort Dodge City Council, speaks Thursday evening during a forum at the Bioscience and Health Science Building on the Iowa Central Community College campus. The forum was hosted by the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.

About 30 people gathered in the Bioscience and Health Sciences Building at Iowa Central Community College to hear those candidates discuss the issues.

The forum was sponsored by the college and the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.

Water bills

While they are often called water bills, the monthly statements sent out by the city include charges for water, sanitary sewer and solid waste collection services.

There have been some increases to those bills because of major upgrades to various utility systems. The City Council has also raised the water rate by 1 percent a year recently to keep pace with inflation.

During the forum, a couple of candidates said those bills are now $80 to $90 a month.

Alstott said the city has been required by state and federal agencies to do tens of millions of dollars’ worth of work on the water and sanitary sewer systems. Not making the upgrades, he said, will result in penalties against the city.

Gubbels said a plan to eventually sell water to Manson should help with the city’s water bills.

Schuur agreed with Alstott’s assessment that overdue upgrades to the utilities have been adding to the bills.

”We are really dealing with an issue that was just kicked down the road for many years,” she said.

”Lowering it is probably not in the near future,” she added.

Higgins called for a freeze on water rates for senior citizens.

”I think maintaining the water bill and keeping it where it’s at will help people out,” McCaleb said.

Bickford said she believes the city should have a program to help people who have trouble paying their water bills.

She added that area ethanol plants, and eventually, Manson, need to pay ”their fair share.”

Economic development

Bickford said she is in favor of encouraging more special events and activities downtown to stimulate growth. She said she is also in favor of tax increment financing.

Tax increment financing occurs when increased property tax revenue within a designated area is set aside to be reinvested in that area.

Schuur said TIF, tax abatements and features like trails are needed to grow the community.

”Usually TIF is used for projects that just wouldn’t happen if TIF wasn’t there,” she said.

McCaleb said reducing crime and creating a modern recreation center are necessary steps.

Higgins congratulated current city and Webster County officials for working together to bring jobs to the community. He said he supported the use of TIF.

Alstott said housing and quality broadband service are needed for growth. He described TIF as a versatile tool for development.

Gubbels said he would like to bring a Costco or Sam’s Club store to Fort Dodge.He added that he would like to see a fast food restaurant built on North 15th Street in Ward 4. He said he supported the use of TIF.