During their most recent meetings, the Clear Lake Twp. Board spent much of their time discussing the new fire contract with the Clear Lake Fire Dept., at first expressing concerns and frustrations, then later contentment with the outcome.

Chairman Bud Stimmler provided updates on the most recent Advisory Fire Board meetings. One of the items the township board was concerned with was the future new fire hall and where the money for it would come from.

He informed the board their money won’t be used for the new fire hall, instead, the City of Clear Lake will put away $45,000 annually; they’re hoping to begin the project in five years or less, depending on financing. 

The rest of the contract is basically the same as the previous one, including the formula used to determine how much the township will be paying. 

“In the past few months I’ve had some harsh words for the City [of Clear Lake] and fire department,” said Stimmler. “I want to clarify I’m not talking about personnel, I’m only talking about the accounting. Our fire department is top-notch.”

Supervisor Ross Imholte had earlier expressed concern over how to prevent overspending. 

“It can’t increase 10% year after year,” he said. “I would like to see a cap put on it. We have to answer to our constituents.”

A large part of the concern was that line item expenses haven’t been determined previously so the fire department didn’t have accountability for what they’ve been spending. The issue is now being taken care of and shouldn’t be an issue in the future.

“All line items will be put into the budget in the future,” said Stimmler. “And we’ll need to take a good look at those items.”

The new contract contains a stipulation stating the township can review the fire department’s revenue, invoices, and expenses.

A motion carried approving the new one-year fire contract.

Twp. Elections

Stimmler asked if there was any interest in changing the township’s future elections from the annual meeting in March to November to coincide with state and federal elections. The change would save the township money, however, all township positions would need to change from three-year terms to four-year terms. 

The question will be asked of township residents at the annual meeting on March 11.

Other Business

Motions carried to approve IUP requests from two solar companies, SunVest Solar and New Energy Equity. 

Cleanup Day will be on May 3; the City of Clear Lake will again participate.

A motion carried approving the contract with Great River Greening to proceed with Phase 2 of the Clear Lake Twp. Park’s wildflower pollinator habitat. The organization will apply for the $18,000 grant and take care of all planting and seeding. 

The township’s revised website, clearlaketownship.org, is up and running.

The sheriff reported 89 calls for service in December, including 36 traffic, two disturbing the peace, one warrant arrest, and one theft of irrigation. For January, 82 calls for service were reported, including 44 traffic, three accidents, and one theft of copper wire.

The sheriff also shared the township’s end-of-the-year numbers; 1,566 calls for service, including seven assaults, six DUI, four theft, and one burglary.

Clear Lake Twp.’s annual meeting is on March 11 at 8:15 p.m. Residents are being asked to vote for Supervisor C during the election hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The next regular Clear Lake Twp. meeting will be March 18 at 7 p.m.