The Fort Dodge City Council moved Monday to support the expansion of a local food service business.

The council voted unanimously to approve a development agreement with Garst LC for the Northern Lights Food Service building at 2949 Eighth Ave. S. The company plans to create a new freezer building and receiving dock there. The construction is to be done by Jan. 1, 2023.

To support that plan, the council voted to commit $60,000 from tax increment financing to pay for a new 15-inch diameter storm sewer there.

Tax increment financing occurs when increased property tax revenue from a designated area is set aside to be reinvested in that area.

In other business, the council upgraded the Public Works Department fleet with these purchases:

• A garbage truck to replace a 2007 model now in use at a cost of $184,950 from Elliott Equipment Co., of Grimes.

• A large snowblower for clearing downtown streets from MacQueen Equipment, of Ankeny, for $185,504.86. It will replace the 2002 model in use.

• A backhoe from Ziegler Inc., of Fort Dodge, for $124,537 to replace a 2004 model.

The council also approved two tax abatements that will enable property owners to gradually assume the higher property tax burden created by new construction.

Collin Hefley received an abatement for an addition to the house at 943 S. 26th St.

Ryan Hefley received an abatement for a new detached garage at 1022 S. 26th St.