March 28, 2024

Monroe Mayor authorizes sale of Madsen Field

MONROE — Madsen Field’s fate has now been decided after Monroe Mayor Douglas Duinink signed a resolution Monday authorizing the sale of the property to Dollar General Corporation, according to city clerk Kim Thomas.

The mayor’s signature came a week after the Monroe City Council voted 3-2 in favor of the sale during a regular meeting. Councilman Nathaniel Bradbury voted “no” that evening and urged the mayor to veto the sale.

In a phone interview Monday evening, Duinink said he understood his legal right to veto the resolution, but felt it was his position to honor the council’s decision and not override it.

The 276-foot by 252-foot parcel on Highway 14 was sold for $150,000 and DG Corporation has proposed a 130-by-70 square foot retail store at that location. Based on estimates from Jasper County Assessor John Deegan and DG representative Tim O’Brien, $20,000 per year in total property tax is expected to be generated from the retail outlet — $8,000 going to the city, $10,000 to the Prairie City-Monroe School District and the remaining $2,000 to Jasper County.

The city estimates Monroe would see $13,000 per year in local option sales tax revenue and the state of Iowa would receive $58,000 from the Dollar General. This is based on a store with $1.3 million in sales per year.

In total, the City of Monroe would see approximately $21,000 in new tax revenue from the DG development.

In the past, Madsen Field has been used to host little league and softball league. The ball diamond’s usage has diminished to one time per year during Monroe Old Settlers since the new sports complex began operation in 2007.