Marcus Council Approves Revitalization Amendments
by Mari Radtke
A public hearing for the proposed Marcus City tax levy for the 2027 fiscal year budget was set for Monday April 13, 2026 at 5:00pm in the Council Chambers. If approved, this levy represents the most the city can levy against property.
Also on the agenda a resolution to adopt the Marcus Urban Revitalization Plan. The plan is essentially unchanged with the exception being a state mandated change. The state now requires that commercial property have a minimum assessment to qualify for Urban Revitalization benefits.
A grant application to Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning association for funding for Transportation Alternative Program Projects received council support. The grant application is for the Marcus Trails.
Discussion about a new water billing format was had. Post cards will no longer work. A full sized page will be required. While it will cost more, City Clerk Robin Harvey said it would also provide her with an opportunity to remind citizens of various important dates.
Mayor Pat Bunt notified council that the Cherokee County mayor met. Cherokee mayor, Tony Puffet expressed his desire for other cities in Cherokee County to assess a $44 per ton tipping fee for trash collection. Currently the expense is imposed on commercial collection. According to Bunt, Puffet asked that the tipping fee also be assessed to residential. As Bunt explained the proposal is for each city to accept a $44 per ton tipping fee and apply the cost to residents in some way. The proposal is not fully thought out and a July 1 start with city budgets so deep in the process that date doesn’t seem feasible.

Marcus Police Report
Chief Brian Flickead shared highlights of police activity in and around Marcus. A traffic stop in Sheldon on Tuesday Januar 27 caused the Sheldon Police Department to obtain a search warrant related to a burglary for 414 W Cedar in Marcus. At the same time, the Marcus Police Department obtained a warrant for narcotics at the same address. According the Flickead, evidence related to the burglary in Sheldon was seized while the Marcus PD seized methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. The seizures resulted in the Marcus PD charging the residents of the home with:
Joseph Pederson, age 45
Possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), serious misdemeanor
Possession of drug paraphernalis, simple misdemeanor
Kyle Wagner, age 25
Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetimine) serious misdemeanor
Possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), serious misdemeanor
Possession of drug paraphernalis, simple misdemeanor

Megan Lindgren, age 49
Possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) 3rd offense, aggravated misdemeanor
Pederson and Wagner also faced additional charges related to the burglary and subsequent traffic stop in Sheldon. These charges have been filed by the Sheldon Police Department.
The Cherokee county Sheriff’s Office assisted the Marcus Police Department and Sheldon Police Department in executing the search warrants at 414 W Cedar St. in Marcus.