The Fort Dodge City Council is getting ready to borrow about $14.5 million to pay for various projects and purchases.

That money will be secured by issuing general obligation bonds. City Manager David Fierke said the bonds will be issued in June.

The council on Monday held numerous public hearings and approved one resolution to complete the preliminary work for that bond issue.

The general obligation bond issue debt will be paid off over a number of years with revenue from property taxes, the stormwater utility fee, the hotel/motel tax and tax increment financing.

The biggest single chunk of the estimated $14.5 million debt is $3 million, which will be used to give Crossroads Plaza Development, of Ankney, a forgivable loan. That firm is redeveloping the former Crossroads Mall site.

On Jan. 13, 2020, the City Council approved a development agreement with the firm which committed the city to providing up to $18.2 million to the project.

However, that money will come from tax increment financing, which occurs when additional property tax revenue generated in a specified area is reinvested in that same area. That’s why homeowners won’t be footing the bill for that support with their property tax dollars.

The other items to be paid for with the upcoming bond issue include:

• $2.6 million for ongoing storm sewer improvements on the city’s east side.

• $2.3 million for new hangars at the Fort Dodge Regional Airport.

• $1.95 million for improvements at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex.

• $1.2 million for repairs to Veterans Bridge on First Avenue South.

• $800,000 for the recently delivered new fire engine.

• $780,000 for a new trail along 22nd Street between 18th and 25th avenues north.

• $700,000 for ongoing renovations at the Municipal Building.

• $700,000 for ongoing renovations at the firehouse.

• $550,000 for miscellaneous trail projects.

• $500,000 for the demolition of the former Greenleaf Care Center on North 22nd Street.

• $300,000 for various park improvements.

• $305,000 for various projects at the Fort Dodge Regional Airport.

• $290,000 for developing a new art classroom for the Blanden Memorial Art Museum.

• $241,000 for improvements at Oleson Park.

• $200,000 to develop new pickleball courts.

• $115,000 for improvements at Butler Courts.