Smythe will fulfill the mayoral term through 2022 after Tasha (Domeyer) Bus resigned in December after 10 years as the city’s mayor. Bus leaves the city in a good position with Phase I of the city hall building project virtually complete and talks of Phase II underway.
The city gained occupancy of its new city hall in late December, with City Clerk Dawn Huisman moving into her new space on Dec. 30. Since a fire destroyed the community’s historic city hall in January 2019, the clerk’s temporary offices had been housed in the basement of the local Presbyterian church.
In addition to the opening of the clerk’s office, the council chambers was put into use in January, when Smythe was elected interim mayor by the three newly elected members of the Ellsworth City Council. Earlier this month, she was officially appointed to fulfill the remainder of Bus’ term.
Now, Smythe and the council will continue to move the city forward, stepping in where Bus left off.
With a few “i’s” to dot and “t’s” to cross, Smythe said they hope to soon wrap up Phase I of the project, which includes purchasing furnishings for the council chambers and community room. She wants to see more of that work completed before they consider hiring an architect and engineer.
Phase II of the city hall building project will include construction of a community center, and the council continues to discuss inclusion of a potential fitness area. The building will connect to the rear of the new city hall, with the kitchen serving as a shared buffer between the community center and the community room.
The building was initially designed to be constructed in two phases in hopes of securing state bonding money. When Ellsworth was awarded $1 million in bonding in 2020, plans for Phase II began in earnest.
The bond money, however, requires a $500,000 match from the community. The city had hoped to conduct fundraisers to reach the goal, but COVID-19 and restrictions on gatherings have delayed those plans.
“We lost a year,” said Huisman.
Still, the city has set up two funds — one with DeNoble & Austin in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and another with the Southwest Initiative Foundation — for people to make tax-deductible donations and pledges toward the community center project.
“People are more than welcome to donate,” Huisman said.
She and Smythe, who serve on the city’s building committee, had talked about having an open house to showcase Phase I completion and combine it with a fundraiser. Continued restrictions on gatherings, however, have delayed those plans.
“We haven’t been able to open it up,” Huisman said.
Most residents of the community haven’t been able to go inside the new building to view the council chambers, kitchen and community room.
“All of our energy has gone into getting this ready to roll,” shared Smythe, noting tables and chairs still need to be purchased for the community room, which will have seating for up to 80 people.
Once the space is furnished, it will be able to rented for family gatherings and events, and perhaps for a craft show during Ellsworth’s Family Fun Days in June.