Tuesday was both the final meeting of the Le Mars city council for 2025, and the final meeting that councilman Clark Goodchild took part in, ending his 12 year tenure on the council. Shortly after yesterday’s meeting concluded, Goodchild told KLEM that he feels good about his time on the council and of the future of the city.
Goodchild shared some concerns, but says he’s happy with what he’s leaving behind.
Goodchild’s at-large seat on the council will be filled by councilman-elect Derek Conyers on December 30th.
During yesterday’s meeting, the council went over several agenda items, including the approval of wage increases for city employees and personnel for the next fiscal year. The council approved a new two-year contract negotiated with the city employees’ bargaining unit, which will see a 3% increase in wages each year for employees. Negotiations over the increase went smoothly, according to city administrator Jason Vacura. A similar 3% increase for non-salaried police and fire-rescue personnel was approved by the council.
A services agreement with Eocene Environmental Group to conduct environmental testing on six commercial sites along Business Highway 75 was also approved, with funding coming from a $397,500 federal grant from the EPA.
The next meeting of the council will be held on January 6th, with a swearing-in ceremony for newly-elected officials to be held on December 30th at 11:30am inside the council’s chambers.
