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Le Mars Council Meeting July 21, 2026 Part 1 of 3
Published: Jul 21, 2026
Community members raise concerns on billing, town friendliness, and scooters
The city council meeting included several community comments. Jeff Lamp congratulated the new police chief and thanked the council for addressing scooter issues. He also raised concerns about water and sewer billing, stating that a 30-day reading period included 21 days in June and 9 days in July, resulting in 70% of charges being billed incorrectly based on previous year's rates. He requested a refund. Another citizen expressed disappointment with the town's friendliness, citing difficulties with a local business, lack of promotion for local music events, and unresponsiveness from local radio station KLM. Council members acknowledged the water bill concern and agreed to discuss it further.
Justin Dale Appointed Lamar Police Chief
Justin Dale was appointed as the new Police Chief for the city of Lamar. He had previously served as interim police chief since May 5, 2026. Following interviews with two applicants by the public safety committee on June 30, 2026, the committee recommended Dale for the permanent position. The mayor also recommended his approval. Dale was sworn in immediately after the council's approval.
Council Approves Consent Items; Reminder Issued to Prioritize Local Businesses for Purchases
The consent agenda included a list of bills for the period ending July 17, 2026, approval of July 7 regular meeting minutes, a monthly financial statement for June 2026, and requests for street/alley closures and liquor/outdoor service licenses. A point of discussion arose regarding a new tractor purchased from K Cabota in Sioux City, with a reminder issued to department heads to prioritize local businesses for purchases to support the community's sales tax revenue.
Community Recognized as 'Thriving'; Positive Recognition for Staff and Achievements
Council members and attendees shared 'thumbs up' acknowledgments during the meeting. Congratulations were extended to the community for being designated a 'thriving community,' with recognition for those who presented in Des Moines. The appointment of Chief Dale and support from local law enforcement also received praise. Special recognition was given to Mark Gaul for his role in achieving the 'thriving community' designation. A library employee, Nancy Ramirez, received a professional development award to attend the 2026 ARSL conference.
Harvest Ridge Addition Rezoning Approved
The council approved the second reading of ordinance number 106 regarding the rezoning of Harvest Ridge Addition. The addition consists of 11 residential lots, all proposed to be zoned R1 Residential. The administration and planning and zoning commission recommended council approval. The council also moved to waive the third reading of the ordinance.
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The Le Mars News archive
Le Mars Council Meeting July 21, 2026 Part 2 of 3
Le Mars Council Meeting July 21, 2026 Part 3 of 3
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Le Mars Council Meeting July 7, 2026 Part 1 of 2
Le Mars Council Meeting July 7, 2026 Part 2 of 2
Le Mars Council Meeting June 16, 2026
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