WELCOME — The Welcome City Council is delaying a decision on final assessments for the city’s 2025 street and utility improvement project. About 20 residents attended Tuesday’s public hearing, where they asked questions about how the assessments were calculated, the quality of the work and options for appeals or deferments. City officials said property owners are responsible for about 380-thousand dollars of the roughly three-million-dollar project. Council Member Stauter said the council worked to reduce the project from an estimated 10-million dollars and focus on the streets most in need of improvements. Residents also asked for better communication about future construction projects. The council approved the project’s final pay request, but will consider adopting the final assessments at its October sixth meeting. In other business, the council approved a 2.27-percent increase in next year’s budget, discussed repairs to the City Hall roof and pickleball court, and addressed concerns about e-scooters being operated at unsafe speeds and by riders who may not be following age and helmet requirements. The council also discussed upcoming community events and the city-owned liquor store and bar and grill, which currently has received no bids.
