John Doescher News Today

The expansion will take place where the Scoreboard Pub and Grille sits.

"It’s always been discussed that we’ve been saving the money to put towards Lake Mitchell. Tonight, we’re here to do that for the public,” Council member Marty Barington said.

The unique layout of the corner lot he’s building on combined with the Homeowners Association covenants created what Jason Greenway, the applicant, described as a “pretty difficult situation.”

Among the organizations that had subsidy funds trimmed, a few were sitting on cash reserves amounting to over $2 million.

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.

Pushing the public vote to June 4 sparked strong opposition from council member Marty Barington who said “another eight months of dead time” would increase the likelihood of the loan being defeated.

“If somebody will say no, I’d like to hear what other recommendations they have,” said Joe Kippes, a leader of a local nonprofit that formed to raise money for a future dredging project.

While the city is pushing to advance the mechanical dredging project, a resident has come up with an aeration-focused plan