Board Members Approved At LB 840 Meeting In Clearwater

A large group attended the town hall meeting in Clearwater last week where the first members of the LB 840 funding board were approved. 

As Clearwater moves closer to dispersing its first economic development loans, it was necessary to form a board to prioritize community projects.

Regina Krebs, who was instrumental in passing the LB 840 issue in December of 2011, said the funding committee will consist of five members and an advisory committee will be formed as well. 

Carol Thiele and Amy Ahlers were approved as the first two members of the funding committee at the town hall meeting on July 7. Tina Snider, Clearwater Village Clerk, said more members were approved at the village board's meeting on Monday night. She said Francis Hanzlik and Jarod Bearinger were named to the funding committee, and Jeremy Sanne and Marelee Thorneberry were approved for the advisory committee.

"And the Clearwater Chamber will still approve one member for each of those boards," Snider said. The next chamber meeting is scheduled in early August. 

Krebs and Snider both said the town hall meeting was a great way to spur some ideas and discussion about how Clearwater should proceed.

Some ideas included working to clean up lots around town, changing the Clearwater sign and adding a fitness center, Snider said.

"We are planning another meeting to brainstorm some ideas," she said. "We want to know what people want to see. They were asked to go home and come up with some project ideas."

Krebs said the funding committee plans to meet soon to discuss some smaller projects and their funding.

She said the Village of Clearwater has collected about $50,000 since the special election when the LB 840 "passed with flying colors."  The fund collects one-third of the one and one-half sales tax or one-half percent. 

"We are excited to see where this goes," Krebs said.

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