Editor’s note: The Messenger generally does not publish letters or columns from candidates for office. However, because Councilman Dave Flattery is running unopposed for mayor and will in fact be the next mayor of Fort Dodge, we feel it is appropriate to share with the readers his thoughts on a city issue.

Recently, a letter to the editor raised concerns about the City of Fort Dodge’s debt, creating a misleading picture of our financial position. As someone who has served the City Council for 18 years, our residents deserve the facts in clear terms.

The City of Fort Dodge has maintained the highest Moody’s Aa3 bond rating possible for a city of our size, a clear, independent sign of sound fiscal management. A substantial portion of the city’s SRF funding has rates that are as low as the 1.00 percent range focusing on saving borrowing costs for the city’s taxpayers.

When I first joined the Council, Fort Dodge faced a serious infrastructure crisis. Our city had estimates of up to $150 million to $200 million in deteriorating streets, sewers, and water systems, worsening by about $7 million per year.

Prior to 2005, the only revenue available for street repair was approximately $800,000 a year in road use tax. That math simply did not work.

Under the leadership of then Mayor Terry Lutz and newly hired City Manager David Fierke and a strong City Council, Fort Dodge took decisive steps to reverse decades of neglect. The 1 percent local option sales tax and the stormwater utility fee provided stable, dedicated funding for infrastructure improvements.

The move to a city manager form of government has strengthened long-term planning, fiscal management, and accountability.

We are a community of 24,000 residents maintaining an infrastructure originally built for a population of over 31,000. The needs are significant and addressing them requires investment. Today, the city’s total debt of about $210 million reflects those investments, not mismanagement or overspending.

Ninety-two percent of that debt is repaid through user fees, not property taxes or general fund obligations. In other words, the entities that use the systems are the ones paying for them.

A prime example is the $50 million investment in infrastructure to support the growth of the Ag Industrial Park, where companies like Cargill, Valero, and CJ Bio America have located and expanded. The repayment for that infrastructure comes directly from the users, through utility and service fees, not from local taxpayers. Those projects are creating jobs, expanding our tax base, and positioning Fort Dodge for long-term economic success.

We have also tackled long-standing water system challenges of $30 million, including water main replacements, doubling the size of the water treatment plant to address elevated chloride levels in our water quality.

The city developed a plan to invest $45 million in the city’s storm water and sanitary systems to eliminate the raw sewage that was being flushed down the Des Moines River or face heavy DNR daily fines.

Additionally, the city invested $36 million in Fort Dodge Fiber, a city owned utility delivering state-of-the-art high-speed internet service. This investment is paid for entirely by subscribers, not property taxes.

We have also taken bold steps to redevelop the former Crossroads Mall with an investment of $20 million and more, again all paid for by either TIF or sales tax reimbursement, not by property taxes. The centerpiece of this redevelopment is the Pavilion Sport Arena, surrounding it is the Power Center anchored by Dunham’s Sports, alongside exciting additions such as Chick-fil-A, Dairy Queen, UnityPoint Health, Teriyaki Madness, U.S. Cellular, AutoZone, Tidal Wave Car Wash, and more to come.

Debt, when used responsibly, is a tool to build the future, not something to fear. The debt we carry represents new streets, modern utilities, and critical infrastructure that will serve future generations. Those who use debt as a scare tactic overlook the truth: progress requires investment, and Fort Dodge has invested wisely.

We are no longer the city that postponed tough decisions. We are a city that plans, acts, and builds, for our residents today and for the generations to come.

On Nov. 4, you have a decision to make on the future of Fort Dodge. Will you vote for the candidates who want to move our city in a positive direction with optimism, fiscal responsibility, and shared commitment to or support candidates who would sit idle while our city’s progress stalls?

Councilman Dave Flattery represents Ward 3 and is unopposed for mayor.