What was the cost to the City of Decorah of the Menards situation?

Posted: Wed, Nov 14, 2018 4:04 PM

(Lowell e-mails: "How much has the Menards situation cost the city with time and funds to outside firms, DNR, attorneys etc.? I think we will be surprised at "real" costs associated with this process."):

Mr. Answer Person says: "I'm assuming you're talking about out-of-pocket expenses for the City of Decorah. There weren't any direct costs from the application made to the Iowa DNR--that fell on Menards to pay. There were costs from two categories--hiring engineering firms and paying legal costs.

Engineering consulting fees totaled $11,650. Legal fees totaled $10,575, making this one of the few instances in which engineers were more expensive than lawyers (lawyer joke!).

So, when you add those two figures, the answer to your question is: 'The City of Decorah had $22,225 in out-of-pocket expenses because of the Menards application.'"