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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) The wheels for permanent flood protection are in motion but some Valley City residents are wondering why the public hasn’t been more involved in the comprehensive plan. KLJ engineer Chad Petersen talked about the plan to protect the city.

City Commissioner and Flood Task Force chairman Matt Pedersen applauded the buyout process and explained why it’s important to widen the river channel.

But Mayor Bob Werkhoven is concerned the city may lose more tax base in the process.

Valley City resident Keith Hovland says the public hasn’t been included in the decision making process and that concerns him and other members of the community.

City Commissioner Mary Lee Nielson says the city has held and will be holding more public meetings as the process moves forward.

City Commissioner Matt Pedersen says the city will have a more comprehensive plan for permanent flood protection in place by the 2015-2017 biennium.