By Sam Parsons

The Pella City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday and had policy and planning discussions on the Community Center and ambulance service.

In April, the council approved an architectural and engineering agreement with Schemmer, who gave an update to the council on the project, which is currently estimated to cost approximately $4.3 million after the city allocated $5.5 million for a base plan. The base plan includes mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades, as well as improved accessibility, exterior improvements, renovations to reopen the community gym, and fire protection enhancements. No official action was taken regarding the Community Center at the meeting this week.

The council also discussed their ambulance service after it was proposed at a recent council meeting for the city to expand its ambulance service to surrounding rural communities, including the city of Leighton and several townships in the area. It was estimated at that meeting that it would require a subsidy of roughly $130,000 per year to serve the surrounding rural areas, who had offered to pay $36,000 per year over a three year term to start. City staff said that an advisory group has been formed in Marion County to make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors regarding an essential services tax, which would entail a $.75 tax levy that would assist in subsidizing the service expansion if it were approved by 60% of voters in a referendum. The advisory group has not yet targeted a date for a referendum, but city staff recommended March 5, 2024.

The next regular meeting with the Pella City Council will be held on August 1.