While at the Wellington City Council meeting on May 28, 2025, residents gathered to voice concern over traffic conditions, but other agenda items were addressed. Due to the absence of council members Barney Zauss, Bryan Thayn and Kyle Monson, no motions were passed, but updates were given regarding property taxes and the new building.
Barbara Clendennen, Wellington’s accounting consultant and planning and zoning commissioner, stood to explain why property taxes will be increasing. Wellington City receives a dollar amount every year for funding from the state; however, prices are going up to maintain the city.
“As property values raise, our percentage rate goes down. If the property value is lower, then our percentage is higher. That doesn’t have anything to do with the amount of money we get. We get a set amount.”
Property taxes have not been changed since 2017, and Clendennen explained that in the last eight years, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, city costs have increased dramatically and the set amount of $165,000 that the city receives is not enough to make the budget work. Wellington also receives sales tax, but even with that, it is not enough. Therefore, they have already submitted a letter to the state proposing a property tax increase.
When the topic of Wellington City’s new building was reached, citizens were alarmed to hear that the proposed building will cost roughly $8,000,000. Some residents jumped to the conclusion that all of that money will come out of their pockets and expressed frustration with the council. It was explained to them that the city is applying for multiple grants and because of the decrepit and dangerous conditions of the current building they have confidence that many of the grants will be approved. However, if the grants are not approved then plans will be adjusted or postponed. The council was clear that they will not construct a building that they do not have the means to build.
Mayor Jack Clark proceeded to address the people of Wellington, “We’re going to try to plan out the best for the city. If you guys would like to come and sit in this seat, I would love to switch it with you, because the amount of time I’ve been putting in is astronomical.”
There are three council seats and the mayoral position coming up for election and he encouraged those who felt strongly about helping the city to run.
“My goal is to try to do the best I can for the city itself. And that’s what we’re doing… and the more people that come to council, the better the decision-making process is.”
He pointed out that at a typical council meeting there are no involved citizens.
Clark reminded the people, “The question was asked, ‘What do we do?’ You want something to change?” He paused for a moment then continued. “In order to change things, the people have to become more involved.”
Clark concluded his remarks by saying, “The bottom line is, most of the time, nobody is giving us the input.”
The council concurred with Clark’s statements and hope to see continued participation from the citizens so that future decisions can be made with more resident input and context.