The Mitchell City Council has unanimously approved a purchase of 370 acres of land a mile west of Lake Mitchell for $4.1-million dollars. It’s part of a long-term water quality improvement project for the beleaguered lake.
Mayor Bob Everson explained the city would build a low-head dam to put between six inches but no more than two-feet of water on to the adjacent low-lying property. “In order for us to be growing cattails and develop a wetland which will help us remove phosphorus from the water,” said Everson. “This will also act as a point where sediment will settle out of the water before it enters Lake Mitchell.”
The price includes a $2.5-million dollar home which the city can sell at a later time plus some land that’s already under lease through 2030.
Everson says the city has been working on the deal for several months and was finally ready to pull the trigger. Everson pointed out the reason for the secrecy was concern that someone else could have come in and, in the Mayor’s words, “ buy it out from under you in order to hold the city hostage.” Lake Committee member Mike Vehle told the council it’s too good to pass up. “And this is a shot that we have got to take,” said Vehle. “We do not want to miss this opportunity.”
Existing revenue sources will cover 84% of the debt service over 20 years with the remainder from the city budget. Everson stressed it would not require a tax increase.