perry logoThe Perry City Council is still undecided on whether or not they want to pay to keep a magistrate court here in town and they’re looking for the public’s input.

City Administrator Butch Niebuhr says the City has to pay for all costs of having a satellite office in the police and fire department building.

“We’re paying for the hourly wage for the clerks, we’re paying for the magistrate judge, we’re paying for all the electricity and all the computer equipment, actually all their papers and pens and everything.  Anything that they can come up with that’s a cost, that’s what we have to pay” says Niebuhr.

Niebuhr says over the last three years, that cost has averaged between $12,000 and $13,000 but it looks like that would go up with this new contract.

“The contract that they’re putting together now, there’s some more added costs for computer equipment, which could add another five or six thousand dollars to the contract over that three year period, and above.”

There are positives involved with having the magistrate court here in Perry such as citizens, police officers and the city attorney not having to travel to Adel for court appearances.

The council is looking for Perry residents to voice their opinions on whether or not having these services in town is beneficial to them. Citizens can provide input online at PerryIA.org or by calling city hall at 465-2481.

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