The Ellsworth City Council Monday evening accepted the low bid from Phoenix Fabricators in the amount of $2,905,324 for the work on the city’s 200,000 Gallon Elevated Water Storage Tank Project.The bid includes the alternate amount for a 300,000 Gallon capacity of $178,449. No date has been set as to when the project will begin on the water tank in Ellsworth.
Ellsworth fire chief Jaysen Evans met with the council to discuss the need for and to provide a quote for purchasing a new ambulance for the city of Ellsworth’s EMS department. The purchase would be using funding available through the new tax fund for EMS services. The quote from the NCL Government Capital Lease Serving Center for a Crestline Ford E-Series Ambulance is $216, 313.62 and with a trade-in of the current Ambulance purchase price would be at $208, 813.62 with the first payment due at the end of May,2026.The council voted to approve the purchase of the new ambulance.
The date of May 11th was set a public hearing for the 2026 Fiscal Year budget amendment to begin at 6:00 p.m.The Ellsworth City Council met with its financial advisor Nate Summers on the current pro forma including proposed water rate structure and rate changes due to the new water tower project, and the financial effect on the city’s water fund for debt repayment. There was no action taken at this time on this matter. The date of April 22nd was set for a noon lunch with the Iowa State University College of Design students at the city park shelter for their final review of Ellsworth’s comprehensive planning process.