To the editor:

How is your water bill?

As we care for our families and manage our households, we are expected to be financially responsible. We are expected to live within our means and pay our bills on time. We are expected to prioritize our money to meet our needs and our desires. If we fail to prioritize appropriately, we fall into debt. If we fall into debt, there are consequences.

We expect the same from our City Council in managing city finances. The City Council is expected to prioritize the needs and wants of the city. I believe the City Council has stumbled with prudent prioritization of wants and needs. Examples: a half-mile of bike trail/sidewalk on North 22nd Street for $900,000. A $12.1 million pavilion complex that the city is on the hook for when it fails to be a financially viable idea. It will not be available for free public use.

Another controversial issue has arisen for Fort Dodge. There is a problematic intersection on Second Avenue North and North 15th Street. Heading south, there is a conversion from two lanes to one lane. I believe poor signage and a lack of warning to motorists lead to side-swiping accidents in the abrupt two-lane to one-lane transition.

The Fort Dodge City Council is considering converting North 15th Street from four lanes (two in each direction) to three lanes (one in each direction and a middle turning lane) — an estimated price tag of $5.3 million.

A better example of a safer intersection exists at North 15th Street and 20th Avenue North. This particular intersection, as you are heading north, converges from two lanes heading north to one lane. At this intersection, there is clear, easily interpreted signage and better warning to motorists. Fewer accidents happen here, and traffic flow is maintained.

I propose that Second Avenue North and North 15th Street be made less accident-prone with better signage and warnings for motorists. I believe that signage similar to that at the intersection of 20th Avenue North and North 15th Street would help address the crash issues occurring at Second Avenue North and North 15th Street. I would estimate that the improved signage and street paint would cost roughly $5,000 — $5.3 million vs. $5,000, a 1,000-fold difference.

Please encourage the Fort Dodge City Council members to be fiscally responsible. We have other needs to be addressed than limiting the flow of traffic on North 15th Street. Please get in touch with your City Council members or, better yet, attend the City Council meeting on June 23, 2025, and voice your opinion.

FYI: Higher taxes and water bills are how the Fort Dodge City Council passes on their poor fiscal prioritization, and we suffer the consequences.

Edward J. Touney

Fort Dodge