City of Salix, Iowa
City of Salix, IA
REGULAR MEETING
August 20, 2026
Mayor Nelson opened the regular meeting of the Salix City Council at 7:00pm on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Council members present: Gene Monk, Denise Burkhart, Emily Clayton, Brenda Smith-Hansen, Tim Skidmore
Others present: Ashley Mareau, Ed Colyer, John Hines, Sam McMichael (via phone call) with Ahlers Cooney.
• The Woodbury County Sheriff Report was reviewed by the council , no Sheriff was present to go over report.
• Mayor Nelson opened the Public Forum. Many voiced their opposition, their reasoning for the need of a moratorium. People were also in agreeance with continuing discussions with Google, without a moratorium.
• Colyer spoke of only having 1 more cellular water meter to install.
• Clerk had spoke of Fire Hydrant on Aspen & Tipton being replaced once parts come in. Also, spoke of changing where L.O.S.T. money will go for 1 or 2 months. Help pay for Park Repairs insurance did not cover.
• Mayor/Council had no updates.
• Engineer was not present, no updates.
• Kolbeck began removing the tree pile on Tuesday. As of 8/20, one small pile left to move.
• Council went over remaining bids for repairs of items damaged in May’s storm.
• Shingle Replacement bid goes to Casey Roofing for $4,800.00 with a motion by Clayton, seconded by Skidmore, all ayes, motion passed.
• Bleacher replacement/repairs bid was tabled. Council wishes to remove damaged bleachers for now. Will discuss further in the future.
• Clerk reminded Council they agreed to a purchase of a Bobcat attachment broom in FY27. Purchasing immediately after approval. Clayton motioned to purchase Bobcat attachment, Burkhart seconded. All ayes, motion passed.
• Clerk wishes to inform Council of all Building Permits going through City Hall. Currently have 2 in the works. 2026-2, 2026-3.
• Google and MidAmerican both spoke briefly about their wishes to continue discussions with Salix and the residents.
• McMichael (Ahlers Lawyer, on phone call) spoke of his understanding with last months vote being on the preparation of the moratorium. Now the moratorium is drafted. Will disallow discussions with any Data Center.
o Skidmore asked if City was setting themselves up for a legal issue if they vote NO for the moratorium today, but change their minds to YES later. McMichael said that was a possibility.
o Clayton asked if Google has ever gone after a City that has pulled out of discussions. McMichael did not have that answer.
o Monk asked if we were voting on the Moratorium language.
• Resolution 2026-16 Res. approving Moratorium was motioned by Skidmore, Monk seconded. Roll count vote: Monk (aye), Skidmore (aye), Clayton (naye), Smith-Hansen (naye), Burkhart (naye). The motion failed, the resolution was not approved.
o Burkhart brought up the problem that no discussions with Google gives us no answers/information to build an ordinance off of. That is what this moratorium would have done.
• The Consent Agenda was approved on motion from Skidmore. Smith-Hansen seconded. All ayes, motion carried.
a. Approval of financial reports
b. Approval of bills and payroll
A+ PLUMBING SOLUTIONS: Water Meter Installations: $4,770.00, ACCO UNLIMITED: Liquid Chlorinating Solution $192.00, AHLERS & COONEY P.C.: Legal Services $3,408.00, ANALYTICAL & CONSULTING SERVICES: Testing $60.00, ANDY VOGT: Deputy at Council Meeting $300.00, CASEYS: Pick-up Fuel $186.19, CHN: Garbage $2,860.05, CRARY HUFF: Legal $232.40, DNR: Wastewater Permit $210.00, EFTPS: Fed/Fica Taxes $2,394.22, FOUNDATION ANALYTICAL LAB: Water Testing $48.00, IA DEPT OF REVENUE: Sales Tax $514.66, IOWA ONE CALL: Locate Notification Fees $27.00, IOWA PRISON INDUSTRIES: Emergency Contact Signage $84.60, IPERS: Ipers $1,786.58, JBE LLC: Sewer Help $465.00, JOE BUKOVICH: Deputy at Council Meeting $300.00, GILL HAULING: 1st Quarter Landfill $1,712.80, LONG LINES: Telephone $39.67, MENARDS: Shop supplies $82.40, METERING & TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION: Meters $527.34, MIDAMERICAN: Gas & Electric $1,375.40, MIKE’S REPAIR: Lawn Mower Tire Repair $45.00, MITCHELL CONTRACTING: Fire Hydrant Down Payment $4,500.00, SALIX FIRE DEPT: 12/5/25-7/6/26 Gas & Fuel $109.15, SGT BLUFF ADVOCATE: Publications $114.28, SETH COTRELL: Deputy at Council Meeting $300.00, VERIZON Cell Phones $100.50, VISA: Bobcat glass replacement, tetherball, stamps $900.13
PAYROLL: $9,743.26 FUND TOTALS: GEN: $19,938.95, ROAD USE: $3,848.95, DEBT SERVICE: $0.00, WATER: $14,716.07, WATER SINKING: $0.00, SEWER: $2,242.61, SEWER SINKING: $0.00
c. Approval of Public Works reports
• Council was updated on Aspen Lift Station leak. Problem cleared up with the building of homes on that ground.
• Council discussed July 8th meeting minutes. Wished to see them before they are published. Hines spoke of other cities (with monthly meetings) publishing “drafts” within the 15 days allowed. Re-publishing if Council found errors in the minutes. Clerk will email minutes to Council, ask for input, then publish within time allowed. Clayton motioned approving this change, Smith-Hansen seconded. All ayes, motion approved.
Salix Drainage District Updates
Colyer spoke of storm drain jetting that will begin within the next two weeks.
Grant Application Update tabled, no engineer to update.
Nelson updated that County Auditor Skaff will be helping Clerk with Warrants to pay bills.
Revenues received by fund for July 2026:
General: $23,959.01, Road Use: $3,260.66, Employee Benefits: $79.58, Local Option Sales Tax: $5,457.89, Debt Service: $20.66, Cap Project: $0.00, Water: $9,534.40, Water Sinking: $3,565.00, Sewer: $2,681.97, Sewer Sinking: $441.67 Total Revenues: $49,000.84
The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 pm by a motion from Clayton and seconded by Skidmore. All ayes. Meeting adjourned.
Attest: Kevin Nelson, MayorAshley Mareau, Clerk
Published in the Sergeant Bluff Advocate weekly newspaper, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. The SB-Advocate is the Official Newspaper for the City of Salix and is an Official Woodbury County newspaper. (PN#090326-00489)
