The city of Fort Dodge owns the bike trail on Wraywood Drive. Nevertheless, homeowners are being required to pay for snow removal on the portion of the trail bordering their properties as the result of a decision by the Fort Dodge City Council on Monday.

That is the wrong decision and should be reversed promptly. This type of added burden on homeowners is unfair and risks undermining community support for further expansion of the town’s superb trail system.

The entire community benefits from the trail system. Consequently, the cost of its maintenance should be paid for by the city, not partially subsidized by a few homeowners.

The trail didn’t exist when most of the residents along Wraywood Drive bought their homes. According to Councilman Jeffrey Halter, they were told during various meetings about the planning of the bike trail that they would not have to shovel snow off the trail or pay someone else to do so.

“I know for a fact that these homeowners were told that they would not be responsible for clearing snow,” he said at Monday’s council meeting.

While other council members voiced sympathy for the homeowners, the vote was 6-1 to make them pay for the snow removal through a property tax assessment. Councilmen Kim Alstott, Neven Conrad, Dave Flattery, Andy Fritz, Dean Hill and Terry Moehnke voted yes. Halter voted no.

The Messenger believes strongly that the majority was wrong in this case. This decision is unfair and should be reversed.