A number of water, parks and recreation, police, and library fees in West Liberty have either been increased or removed through the approval of Resolution No. 20250415-239, amending and approving the fee appendix schedule of fees and charges in West Liberty.
The resolution was approved during the city council’s April 15 meeting. Any fee not included on the amendment will remain the same as seen on the current appendix in the city code.
The new parks and rec fees primarily focus on the city’s public swimming pool, with under 12 admission increasing from $2 to $3, and general admission now at $5. Lap swim is also now $3. Pool parties will cost $100 for 1-40 attendees, $140 for 41-65 attendees, and an additional $30 per 20 guests for parties with over 65 attendees. Swimming lessons will now cost $20 for one week and $40 for two weeks.
For other parks and rec utilities, field rental prices rose from $7.50 to $10. Day camp fees are $100 per child, and those wishing to reserve park shelters will need to pay $15 per hour for Wolf Shelter and $10 per day for open shelters.
At the West Liberty Public Library, anyone wishing to copy something will only have to pay 25 cents per black and white page and 50 cents per color page. Library patrons will also have to pay $3 for any replacement DVD, CD, Blu-Ray, or video game cases.
Scan fees at the library both staff assisted and unassisted were removed, as were disc repair fees and photo or disc digitalization fees. For community room rentals, any events open to the public will be allowed a free rental, with the $25 cleaning fee being charged only if needed. Rental fees for circulating equipment, the library’s video camera, and the library’s Go Pro were also removed.
For the water department, replacement frost plates are now $20 instead of $10. The fee for a used 5/8” replacement meter has been removed. A new Iperl water meter is $175 for one that’s ¾, and $300 for 1”. SRII 5/8 water meters will be $180, and an MXU Box will be $190.
For curb box services, a new curb box is $100 while a curb stop valve is $150. Replacement curb box caps are still $10, but an extra $20 will be added for cap extensions. Water tapping fees for corporate valves have risen from $27.50 to $150. Raw water per 1,000 gallons has also risen from $1.83 to $3.80 plus $25 for set up during hours and $50 for afterhours set up.
At the police department, residents will no longer need to pay any copy/redacting fees for CDs, DVDs, digital photographs, or computer aided dispatch entries. Certified mailing service fees were also removed by this amendment.
$179,120.50 project bid accepted
The council approved Resolution No. 20250415-238, accept the $179,120.50 bid from Triple B Construction for the Evans Avenue Gravity Sanitary Sewer Extension Project. This bid accepted was recommended by the city engineer and by Veenstra & Kimm, Inc.
Four other companies made bids on the extension project. Other bids included Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete at $184,682.75, Cornerstone Excavating, Inc. at $215,786.50, Tschiggfrie Excavating Co. at $234,582, and Needham Excavating, Inc. at $282,555.
$25,000 reimbursement granted
The council approved a $25,000 matching reimbursement to Wertzbaugher Services, LLC, with the payment coming from the city’s Economic Development Matching Grant Fund.
On July 2, 2024, a grant request came for the emergency masonry repair at 219 North Calhoun Street. The project was completed April 10, 2025, and receipts of project completion were provided. Reimbursement of matching funds were in the amount of $25,000. The total project cost was $54,860.
FY25-26 budget hearing
West Liberty residents are invited to attend the FY25-26 budget public hearing 6:30 p.m. April 22 at the West Liberty Public Library. This hearing will give residents the chance to voice their comments and concerns regarding the FY25-26 budget for the city.
Mayoral recognition
Mayor Mark Smith acknowledged the week of April 13-19 as National Animal Control Appreciation Week, thanking Eddie Ortiz and the West Liberty Police officers for their work related to animal control. He also thanked the city’s linemen in recognition of National Electric Lineman Day (April 18), as well as the city’s administrative professionals in recognition of National Administrators Day (April 23).