Matt Walsh is in his ninth year serving as one of five city council representatives in Council Bluffs. During his time on the council many improvements to the city have been accomplished. Matt is a banker by trade, but he said it is a joy and privilege to be able to be involved in progressive actions to improve the Council Bluffs community. Matt noted that Council Bluffs has a $70 million budget and numerous projects in various stages of development. Some of these projects are tied to commercial development and to federal and state highway projects. Matt stated that Highway 92 is scheduled to be widened to 4 lanes from I 29 to south Omaha prior to the widening of the combined I-80 and I-29 section across south Council Bluffs. The Highway 92 improvements, including a new bridge over the river, will facilitate traffic rerouting for the interstate roadwork. Matt noted that the announcement by Bass Pro to build a store in Council Bluffs near the Mid American Center is a very big development and will have a tremendous impact on commerce in this area. He expects the water amusement park plan will now be realized and the retail space near the convention center will be occupied as the Bass Pro development is completed. Matt explained the Missouri River pedestrian bridge is being redesigned and rebid, but the Iowa riverside development is lagging. Matt stated that the council is wrestling with a better bus service plan, but current low utilization is a problem. A more contentious present issue, Matt noted, is a proposal to ban pit bull dogs. Some communities in Iowa have enacted such an ordinance