CCADC receives funding raise from city

CCADC receives funding raise from city

Council approves first increase in nearly 20 years

The Charles City Area Development Corporation (CCADC) will be granted an additional $7,000 per year in a new contract, the Charles City Council decided Monday evening. The new contract will raise the CCADC’s annual funding from the city to $42,000 for the next three years. The CCADC has not received a raise in funding from the city since 1996 when the council leveled the amount at $35,000, the council agenda noted. The request aims to offset the group’s operating costs.

Changes in state TIF laws also affected the new contract. The agreement will no longer allow the CCADC to request up to $20,000 for costs and expenses associated with general urban renewal development costs, which may be potentially unused; new requests will be made on a case-by-case basis, city administrator Steve Diers told the council.

The city funds contracts with CCADC through three designated Urban Renewal Areas, including the Southwest Bypass Urban Renewal Area, of which Charles City splits costs with Floyd County.

OTHER BUSINESS

The first hearing of the new animal control policy was presented to the public Monday. New items added to the ordinance include the licensing and registration of dogs, which is expected to begin in 2016, with registration due March 1; a new leash law and a distinction between dangerous and vicious dogs, including city impoundment policies. The next public hearing is set for Nov. 30.

The annual Holiday Lighted Parade is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec. 4, the first Friday of the month, Chamber of Commerce director Mark Wicks told the council. The parade is free and open to the public to participate, but the Chamber asks that parties contact their office to register. All entries must be lighted to take part.

Averages for Party in the Park 2015 show that between 1,500 to 1,800 showed up for each of the six events this summer, Wicks said as he thanked the city for their support. Food vendors averaged around $7,800 in profit, and the non-profits that operated evening games averaged about $2,000.

By Kate Hayden khayden@charlescitypress.com