By Kellen Olshefski
Correspondent
The City of Elkhorn Common Council voted in favor of moving the downtown drop box for utility payments from in front of City Hall to a location outside the library, following the move to the new building next month.
When discussing the move of city operations to the new Seymour Court building last month, Alderman Ron Dunwiddie had requested the city find a way to keep the drop box downtown for area residents who might typically walk to it to make payments.
At that time, city administration had said they would look into the possibility of placing the drop box outside of the police department, which would have required approval from Walworth County.
At last week’s June 21 meeting, the council was presented with three potential options: keeping the drop box where it is currently on soon-to-be Walworth County Historical Society property; moving it to outside of the police station; or moving it to outside of Matheson Memorial Library.
In a memo to the council, City Administrator James Heilman said the parking area in the rear of the Walworth County administration building – where the Elkhorn Police Department is – is normally full and placing the drop box on the downtown square would add more traffic to the already congested area.
Additionally, while the Walworth County Historical Society offered to let the city keep the box where it is, Heilman said the steps are a liability concern and longtime city staff felt the city “should jump at the opportunity to relocate the box.”
Heilman said last week placing the drop box outside of the library would allow for a drive-by option, which would make it a user-friendly choice.
Alderman Tim Shiroda said he agreed with moving it to the library, noting that it’s a centrally located city building and there won’t be concerns related to demands or other happenings of the historical society – if the box remained at its current location, or Walworth County – if it was placed outside the police department.
Alderman Gary Payson Jr. agreed, noting it would be easier to drive in and drive out at the library, alleviating parking concerns with the other options.
“That makes the most sense,” Payson said. “Make it simple.”
A motion to move the drop box to the library was approved by the council unanimously.
