Proposal to give $38,000 in city funds to Winneshiek Energy District fails to pass

On a 3-3 vote, the Decorah City Council Monday night failed to approve a recommendation from the city's Low and Moderate Income Housing Commission to give $38,000 to the Winneshiek Energy District.

The LMI Housing Commission recommended that the money be used to pay for Direct Install house inspections for low and moderate income households.  City council member Rachel Vagts, who also serves on the LMI Commission, said the inspections would have "an immediate impact on households that are struggling."

But city council member Gary Rustad felt the service was "duplicating services already provided."  And city council member Paul Wanless questioned why the Winneshiek Energy District kept asking the city for money when it had originally said it wouldn't need city funds.

The motion attracted the support of Vagts, Carolyn Corbin and John Franzen, but when Rustad, Wanless and Randy Schissel voted against the motion, it failed for lack of a majority.