Decorah City Council Pushes for County Support in Funding Athletic Complex, Supervisors Remain Divided

Quality journalism needs your support to thrive. Donate and keep the facts flowing. DECORAH — The push to secure state funding for the proposed Decorah Athletic Complex has turned into a debate over whether Winneshiek County should commit local dollars to strengthen the city's grant application. City and county officials discussed the project at length during a series of recent meetings, focusing on the Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant, which requires demonstrated local support. City Council urges rural supportAt a City Council meeting Monday, Council Member Steve Zittergruen emphasized that county participation could determine whether the project receives hundreds of thousands of dollars in outside funding. "One of the major grants out there is called the CAT grant," Zittergruen said, noting the program previously helped fund the Trout Run Trail. "We would literally be leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table if the county chooses not to support this project." Zittergruen argued that the athletic complex would serve not just city residents, but also people throughout the county and beyond, noting that "roughly 40 percent of those who use Decorah's parks and recreation facilities live outside city limits." Council Member Emily Neal called on residents to contact their county supervisors directly, saying that local voices could shift the outcome. "Please, as county residents, write to your supervisors. Tell them that this is a perfect place for county-city partnership," Neal said. Supervisors divided on supportAt a Board of Supervisors meeting earlier Monday, multiple Winneshiek County supervisors expressed skepticism, saying they had heard more opposition than support from constituents. Supervisor Mark Vick reported receiving "27 calls against the proposal" and "only one in favor." Supervisor Steve Kelsay voiced concern that tourism benefits largely flow to Decorah, while smaller communities in the county struggle with shrinking tax bases and limited local businesses. He said Winneshiek County had become a "commuter society," with Decorah acting as its central hub, draining opportunities from the surrounding communities. Supervisor Shirley Vermace cited emails she received and shared with the board that were "predominantly in support of" the project. Supervisor Mark Faldet also pointed to a letter of support from the South Winneshiek activities director and baseball coach, who wrote that "what an asset it would be to be able to host tournaments in the county." Faldet said the letter "shows that people outside of Decorah also see the value in having this go through." Stephanie Fromm, Winneshiek County Development executive director, presented fundraising breakdowns showing contributions were nearly evenly split between donors inside and outside Decorah, with businesses from across the county participating. Fromm also suggested that county contributions could be structured proportionally by population, with amounts earmarked for smaller municipalities to use later as matching funds for their own projects. Grant deadlines added urgency. Supervisors were told a written pledge, even spread over three years and starting in a future budget cycle, would still strengthen the city's CAT application. The discussion left the board split, with Vermace and Faldet in support of the funding request, and Vick and Kelsay against. Board Chair Dan Langreck asked for another week to weigh the proposal but noted that if he had to decide that day, he would "not be in support of it." City Council reviews funding situationAt a special City Council meeting later Monday, City Manager Travis Goedken stressed both the urgency and complexity of the funding picture. Goedken reported a budget shortfall of more than $254,000, even after significant private fundraising, which already exceeded the size of the $500,000 grant application. To strengthen their chances, Goedken said organizers might narrow the grant request to cover specific features, such as football field lighting and restrooms, instead of the full complex. Mayor Lorraine Borowski noted that the Board of Supervisors was weighing a pledge, possibly spread over three years, which could still count toward the CAT application. "They asked if they could make a three-year commitment and not start until next year," Borowski said. "[Stephanie Fromm] said yes." Zittergruen said a $100,000 county contribution was his tentative "high-water mark" that supervisors "would consider," with funding divided proportionally among municipalities by population. He also acknowledged the late stage of the request. "If we were going to need significant county participation, we probably should have asked earlier," Zittergruen said. "But this is still a good project … and county contributions are just critical to making it happen." The supervisors are expected to make a decision next Monday, which could determine whether Decorah secures the CAT grant and whether key features of the athletic complex move forward. Unlock a world of knowledge! Sign up for free DecorahNews.com newsletters and receive local news, local events and everything that is happening in and around Decorah.