By Sam Parsons

The Ottumwa City Council met last night and approved an agreement between the city and MCG for the installation of a Fiber Optic Network in both residential and commercial areas of the city. Under the agreement, MCG would begin work on fiber optic network installation across the city in the spring of this year and it’s estimated that it will take about 3 years to build out the entire city. The agreement was approved unanimously.

The council also held a public hearing on their Maximum Property Tax Dollars for the upcoming fiscal year. The city had previously approved their maximum levy in February, but due to changes in state legislation, city administrator Philip Rath said that the city’s assessed valuation dropped by $17 million, so adjustments had to be made; the rate had previously been set at $17.11 per $1,000; it would increase by about 23 cents with the adjustment. 

And the council heard from the Ottumwa Historic Preservation Commission for their certified local government annual report. Commission chair Dennis Wilhoit said that much of last year was focused on finding financial support to draft a new historic preservation plan for the city, as the previous plan had been drafted in the 1990s. He said that process remains ongoing but that after gathering more community feedback, the commission hopes to present the completed plan to the city.

The next regular council meeting for the city of Ottumwa is scheduled for April 4.