City council back to the grind
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by Jeff Snyder
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Mount Ayr City Council got back to regular business in its first meeting of the 2026 and swore in a newly organized group of elected leaders.
The council welcomed new member Rachael Rumple and proceeded with the parliamentary procedures of swearing in city manager Brent Wise and city clerk Brandy Anderson. Newly elected mayor Mack Greene presided over his first official proceedings by calling the roll and formally getting the new session of city council up and running.
Among the key items discussed were the city’s new rental property inspection program which finally got launched after several months of planning. The new inspection program, under the direction of rental housing inspector Dennis Dugan is set to formally begin with the scheduling of inspections.
A letter was drafted by Dugan inviting landlords to schedule their inspections based on the roll out schedule previously determined by Dugan and the city council. Dugan handed out a copy of the formal letter that is being sent out to the landlords within the city limits that have already registered their properties in compliance with city regulations. The letter outlines the city’s kick off of the previously notified rental inspection process when the landlords can expect inspections in their quadrant. Letters will be sent out immediately with inspections to start at the beginning of February.
The city has broken up the inspection schedule by geography notating four quadrants — northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest. Inspections will be performed on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the exception of the 7th of each month as this is the day that city utility bills are due.
Two people will be assigned to perform the inspections with a flexible schedule starting at 8:30 a.m. but no later than 2 p.m. start times. There are currently 55 rental properties that have per-registered for inspection with 37 that have yet to submit the required registration paperwork. The northeast quadrant will be the first section to be worked on.
The council also considered a $15,000 development grant that was unanimously approved for the new bakery being established on the courthouse square. Butter Brick Bakery will be placed on a repayment schedule monitored and administered by the city. The city has previously issued such grants to a variety of businesses throughout the community with great effect. The city has an established fund of $100,000 specifically set aside for these projects.
The council turned its attention to a number of real estate issues that required action. Chief among them was the completion of purchase agreements for properties located at 104 N. Webster St. to as private buyer and 806 E. Adams St the lot purchased by the Mount Ayr Community School district for future use.
Other real estate news that was addressed during session was the city’s planned economic development projects for calendar year 2026. Three properties were identified as possible development projects —both 205 and 209 Harrison Street and 202 West Jefferson St. Each of these properties are under scrutiny as a result of delinquent back taxes. Specific projects were not discussed as property acquisition is first priority.
City Administrator Wise proceeded to brief the council of the current status of the town square revitalization plan that has been on going for the past year. Engineering sketches were passed out to the council members showing the topographical designs that are under consideration. Funding has yet to be finalized but Wise felt encouraged by the grants and funds that have already been secured by the city. The engineering diagrams showed “dry basins” that are being planned to help capture storm water and help to filter drainage through natural grassy areas that help to slow the pace of water runoff.
If all funding is granted and planning stays on pace, it is expected that the project could wrap up by mid 2027.
