Author: Shelbi Swinscoe

The Mount Pleasant Personnel and Finance Committee met Thursday morning at City Hall to discuss several key financial items, including airport hangar utilities, insurance renewals, and the city’s draft budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

One of the main topics was utilities for new airport hangars. City staff and Air Advantage reached a compromise where the city will cover utility costs for the first six months. This will allow time to establish an average cost before Air Advantage assumes full responsibility and sub leases the hangars to aircraft owners.

The committee also reviewed health and dental insurance renewals, which came in under budget, offering some financial relief as the city works through early budget planning.

Mayor Steve Brimhall presented the first draft of the fiscal year 2027 budget. While the city had anticipated deficit spending in the general fund last year, officials reported ending slightly ahead, by about nine thousand dollars to end the FY2026 budget. However, projections show the city will likely need to rely on reserve funds moving forward, and future leadership may need to explore additional revenue sources.

Other anticipated expenses include upgrading police body cameras due to discontinued equipment, as well as potential equipment purchases for public works, including a dump truck, tractor, and mower.

The Committee also discussed future revenue options, such as franchise fees and potential adjustments to how local option sales tax dollars are allocated. Currently, sales tax brings in about one million dollars annually, most of which is dedicated to capital projects.

Officials also noted ongoing financial challenges with the city’s garbage program, citing unpaid resident bills as a contributing factor to losses

Additional topics included rising insurance costs on city buildings, updates to public works software, and the timeline for hiring a new city administrator, which is expected to move forward after early April.

The next budget discussion for the Personnel & Finance Committee  is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25^th, 2026 at 4:00 pm.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. at the Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, supervisors will consider approval of recent board minutes and financial claims as part of the consent agenda.

During committee updates, board members who attended the Iowa State Association of Counties Spring Conference will provide a report to the board.

Under new business, Henry County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss is scheduled to provide updates from the Secondary Roads Department. The board will also hear from Mollie McKibben regarding Sexual Abuse Awareness Month.

In addition, Katie Reuter will present information regarding the General Assistance policy for Fiscal Year 2027 and discuss support for Fellowship Cup.

Supervisors will also discuss procedures related to the creation and notification process for Board of Supervisors meeting agendas, including requests for department and office heads to submit items at least 48 hours in advance.

The meeting will include time for public comments before adjournment.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting is open to the public.

Click here to see the official agenda.

The list of candidates for Iowa’s 2026 primary election is now finalized, giving voters a clearer picture of the races they will decide this summer.

The Iowa Secretary of State’s office announced the final list of candidates who filed nomination papers ahead of the March deadline. Voters will head to the polls on June 2nd to select party nominees for several statewide and federal offices.

For voters in Southeast Iowa, one of the key races will be Iowa’s First Congressional District. The district is currently represented by Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who is seeking another term. She faces a Republican primary challenge from David Pautsch. On the Democratic side, candidates include former state representative Christina Bohannan and health care worker Travis Terrell.

Several statewide races will also appear on the primary ballot.

In the race for Governor, Republicans running in the primary include Congressman Randy Feenstra, State Representative Eddie Andrews, businessman Zach Lahn, and former state agency director Adam Steen. Democrats running for governor include State Auditor Rob Sand and political strategist Julie Stauch.

Iowa voters will also select party nominees for the open U.S. Senate seat. On the Republican side, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is among the candidates seeking the nomination. Democrats running include State Senator Zach Wahls and State Representative Josh Turek.

Election officials say nomination papers can still be challenged through March 20, but once that process is complete, the candidates listed will appear on the June 2nd primary ballot across the state.