Four citizens questioned the Belmond City Council Monday night about the planned 16% increase in water rates and the accompanying increase in monthly sewer charges.
Wright County property owners are likely in for a surprise this week when they open their new assessments that have been mailed out by the county assessor.
The city will reopen the north end of 4th Avenue NE this week. The gravel road has been closed since spring in an effort to prevent damage due to heavy
  Complaints about heavy traffic due to the Highway 69 detour have kept local phone lines busy. Police Chief Rick McDaniel told the Belmond City Council Monday night that complaints are coming from West Main Street, 6th Avenue NW, East Main Street, and Luickâs Lane.
âââPeople havenât figured out the detour yet,â he said. âIt always takes a while. It will get bad again as soon as Third Street NEâis closed for repairs.â
âââI have my officers increasing their patrols of these areas,â the chief stated.
ââMcDaniel also told the council he has been mailing out property clean-up letters. That includes one to the owners of the old motel, who live in Minnesota.