Proposal to give $19,000 in city funds to Winneshiek Energy District passes by one vote

The City of Decorah will pay the Winneshiek Energy District $19,000 to continue the agency's direct install program for one more year.  But the approval came by a narrow 4-3 margin.

City council members have argued over the payments to WED in the past.  Monday night was no different.  While city council member Rachel Vagts spoke in favor of the payments, city council member Jody Neiss questioned why the Winneshiek Energy District's 2011 tax return showed a total of $140,274 in salaries being paid to three employees.  WED Board President Jim Martin-Schramm said WED Executive Director Andy Johnson has gone on a one year leave and the two remaining employees have agreed to get paid at 80 percent of their regular salary, so WED was able to cut in half its request for city funding.

Other city council members questioned the $380 per household cost of the direct install program when Black Hills Energy will offer residential energy audits for $50 per household.  But Schramm explained the direct install program was much more comprehensive in scope.

City council member Paul Wanless, who had been a strong critic of the payments to WED in the past, said, "My concerns have been addressed."  With Wanless' support, the motion to pay WED $19,000 passed by a 4-3 margin, with Jody Neiss, Randy Schissel and Gary Rustad voting against.