Monday was a productive night for the Fort Dodge City Council. The Council got an update on the broadband project, as a time line was laid out. The council is set to hold a public hearing on July 12th, regarding financing the system. The project has an estimated price tag of $32 million to build and start the system. The proposed timeline or the broadband utility being operational is between March and June of 2023.

The City Council also decided to move the billing for city ambulance services in house. The City has been using a 3rd party for that at a cost of $150,000 annually. The city has decided the Fort Dodge Fire Rescue’s April Schuster will take on that responsibility.

Schuster will be promoted to a new role as Business Operations Specialist and will get a pay increase of $18,000 per year. That will put her salary at just under $60,000 per year.

Councilman Terry Moehnke had concerns about whether that increase was too substantial and too quick. Moehnke cited that many long time city employees don’t make that kind of money. However, the proposal did pass unanimously. The City Of Fort Dodge is expected to save over $125,000 with the move.