The City of Sioux Center approved a resolution to increase the hotel/motel tax. The current 5% tax was approved in 2010, and is a tax paid for by people who stay in hotels and motels in Sioux Center. The resolution approves a 2% increase to 7%. Half of the tax income is used to offer and maintain local amenities and attractions such as the All Seasons Center/Vernon Arena, Siouxnami Waterpark, Heritage Village, the ASB Sports Complex, recreation trails and more. The measure will be placed on the November general election ballot, and if approved would go into effect January 1, 2024.
In other business, the city council approved Kyle Munneke as the School Resource Officer and was sworn into the office by Mayor Krahling. Munneke comes from the Lyon County Sheriff’s office with 15 years of law enforcement experience.
The council received a report on the Highway 75 project. Paving starts today (Tuesday) on the west lanes of phase 1 and is expected to take three weeks to complete. When that is done and the new 16th St. intersection opens, work will begin on the east lanes, with target paving completion of phase 1 by the end of the year. Total phase 1 completion will likely be June 2024 as contractors finish median work in the spring. Phase 2 plans have been submitted and will be bid in October of next year.
Whispers of Love, Hope, and Joy is applying for a Rural Innovation Grant to assist in the purchase of the former Kosgrove properties to support their mission, and as part of their application, the city provided a letter of support. The next Sioux Center city council meeting is scheduled for September 11.
