By Sam Parsons

The Ottumwa City Council met last night and after a process lasting several months, the council approved the third and final consideration of an ordinance instituting a franchise fee city-wide on gas and electric utilities. The fee, which will initially equate to 3% of gas and electric bills, will supplement the city’s general fund and the council says revenue will go toward making city staff wages competitive as well as additions in public safety positions such as police and fire department employees.

The council also weighed the rezoning of a property up for voluntary annexation on Hutchinson Avenue which was recently purchased by Dollar General. Citizens spoke out against the possible development of a Dollar General, citing the two already existing Dollar General locations in the city, but councilmember Mark Roe clarified that the city doesn’t have a hand in the purchase of the property.

Ultimately, the second consideration of the rezoning ordinance passed unanimously and development is scheduled to begin within two years if the third consideration is passed in November.