Page 5 - Bob Everson News Today

MITCHELL — The location of a proposed $1.3 million outdoor gun range city leaders are aiming to build on the west edge of Mitchell has been revealed.

Local Airbnb and Vrbo nightly stays are not included in the BID tax boundaries due to state laws prohibiting the city from adding the emerging markets.

Under the new proposed agreement, the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce would pay $165,000 in 2024.

Due to the lot being smaller than what was initially interpreted, one of the eight lots along Lake Mitchell was removed from the Oct. 23 auction.

While the drawdown structure is a vital part of the city's proposed dredging project, officials say it's also important for maintaining the Firesteel Creek wetland improvements planned for 2024.

The Friends of Firesteel organization offered to donate the funds for the city to hold the election if it were set for November, but it wasn't enough to sway the council.

In early July, the council set the special election date for what was then a $25 million lake dredging loan application to be held on June 4, 2024. On Monday, the council could move it to November.

“We’ll be getting a good foothold on the water that’s coming into the lake. It’s nice to see it progress and finally move forward,” Mayor Bob Everson said.

“I lost my business over this deal. I don’t ever want to go back to drug life,” said Dustin Feistner, who was stripped of his taxi license after being charged with possession of methamphetamine.

The question of when to pull the trigger on a project to clean Lake Mitchell sparked debate at the most recent Mitchell City Council meeting. A vote is slated for next year, but some worry that might be too late.