[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6574478,"mediaKeyId","3074749-3d164caef27be484558b603d0347cc31","parentId",3074749,"title","Indianola council moves into closed session to evaluate an employee at request of that individual","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1759000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074749-3d164caef27be484558b603d0347cc31&start=1759&end=1759","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074749-3d164caef27be484558b603d0347cc31/thumbnail_1759000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6574478/Indianola/Warren-County/Iowa/Indianola-council-moves-into-closed-session-to-evaluate-an-employee-at-request-of-that-individual","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574478-bf3a3aa6a1fe24abbc773a77df9d8e55/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448456&Signature=VQoAI3AzNGOqmAcxNqzvY~mJUeX9t5-A5I9J-ZFBQP3MvxWaixF-2cnqaGw~oC~UTAsBu6K1NgcvWpnKgmZqxNQ4WXtpl~j2yUhuYbY9E-JcgDUU7myzSHyZ-2W6hSoSMTPJMHOQ~R7znGBBq~dWElo0okjADjf78P1AAMAXMEZsT0D7nJfk8ymju8~tKEJaGfgHy7Q9Cly1eq6UH5IEniWsKiHzB3IqDTsMN0oBln5-X2GSPn2m~MG31sXXasisjzSmudEhcG9k44v6Au4L-1ebFeJlo0yakFG7esFDQCsjsO3xAfpefBFggY20knNzPzOZ1R6Y93JFqOAtHxwtbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Indianola","date","2025-04-22T00:07:26.517Z","article","The Indianola City Council voted to go into closed session during the April meeting under the cited provision of Iowa Code to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered.

The mayor said the individual requested the closed session, and the council moved and seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll; the clerk recorded ayes and the motion carried. The council noted there may be possible action following the closed session.

The motion cited \"Iowa Code 21.51\" (as recorded in the meeting) as the authority for the closed session; staff and council followed with the roll-call process to enter closed session.

Because the discussion occurred in closed session, no further details about the individual or the substance of the evaluation were disclosed in the public record at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting April 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council voted to enter a closed session under Iowa Code to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment/hiring/performance is being considered; the individual requested the closed session.","taxTitle","Indianola, Warren County, Iowa","taxId",55656,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6574483,"Indianola council directs staff to draft recreational-burning ordinance tied to 2018 International Fire Code",579,891000,1470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074749-3d164caef27be484558b603d0347cc31&start=891&end=1470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074749-3d164caef27be484558b603d0347cc31/thumbnail_891000.jpg","/articles/6574483/Indianola/Warren-County/Iowa/Indianola-council-directs-staff-to-draft-recreational-burning-ordinance-tied-to-2018-International-Fire-Code","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574483-2fc7774d1c9e591571a4e2a6947d7dd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448456&Signature=W0dtoR37WEQAL0CSiRulgDy9eHfViSE7TDCXAjFqsRpaj0tYQj3dzLY87SzgoemoBp~N0154gBbTT-AgQSmirR~WzEZV1icIZANqh0upsvp21CnQz4vV7SZeb~3ETQwI3P9LIS6QSsy3E3wlmFktef7Isu2Vr4UgG10m4wM4d-x-Rltxn86sOk3TB8FfM2QkJmr1dO4CRmBPJdU2ihXadg8d6MSAWpj~rV9no9oB20SphsKsCsWnKJbS~qr9TW0SE0n62xJhQlk5B3RtZvaN6~wEqn4JoTkxbZgTL8vfJNUn9X3xTyMxFz-4LBmZ-Ow9XhgjpuBkKka9lfNIQNX-1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Indianola City Council directed staff to prepare amendments to the city's open-burning code to allow regulated recreational fires and to strengthen enforcement and public education.

City staff said the current ordinance has limited enforcement \"teeth\" and that spring and fall see repeated complaints about yard burning and burn pits. The staff presentation recommended using parameters from the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) to define permissible recreational fires such as small fire rings and campfires, while retaining permitting and inspection for larger bonfires.

Captain Eller of the fire department summarized research from neighboring communities and said that jurisdictions that adopted recreational-burning platforms often saw fewer false alarm responses and less abuse because residents had a clear, lawful alternative. He said the proposed code would add explicit measurements and safety requirements and that the city would publish a plain-language guidance page on the public safety web page.

Under the staff proposal discussed at the meeting, examples of clarifications include minimum clearances (25 feet from structures and property lines for certain fire rings), maximum sizes (fire rings limited in diameter and height), required attendance and extinguishing equipment on site, and a permitting and inspection process for bonfires. Staff said fuels would be limited (no leaves, wet wood, painted wood, or green tree material) and that recreational fires would be more lenient than permitted bonfires. The fire department described enforcement fines: an initial citation at $250, with subsequent fines rising to $500 for repeat offenses.

Council members generally supported the direction and asked staff to return with code amendments for formal readings in May. Staff said they would coordinate public education and suggested displaying a demonstration at an open house to show safe burning practices.

No formal ordinance vote took place at the meeting; staff were directed to draft amendments and return to council for first reading and subsequent action.","After staff review, the council directed city staff to draft code amendments to allow recreational fires under defined parameters (per the 2018 International Fire Code), to add clearer public guidance and enforcement measures, and to return for formal readings in May.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6574487,"Indianola council suspends automatic CPI pay increase for elected officials",164,761000,925000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074749-3d164caef27be484558b603d0347cc31&start=761&end=925","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074749-3d164caef27be484558b603d0347cc31/thumbnail_761000.jpg","/articles/6574487/Indianola/Warren-County/Iowa/Indianola-council-suspends-automatic-CPI-pay-increase-for-elected-officials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574487-a507d3b631cc875cba058e054a64c229/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448456&Signature=hLYHIEyheuWaG0OrVM7KR~OOgcNqXn5~cJ-cz7iwPDS8bMqO4Pa5ZCsXCrPyeYMqMTw~2-ybIE7Iqjp9uHMy~qSpBhQk~wixvTgeKmgRt1SzUl~TDbhxNbFDALCxpCMSGqvSTgNSZAOs9ZTLuoEMRer9YoDCHHbhrPxioW5P-qAD57UyshpcOcDrw7HdgWk5yJBSHg6tNKGX2rUaZdFycSexWDbvVfUEgG7wuc76ErUGN5qq2~XpI1TU5GZxA83fDooyzHlRKAjkb04IdggJFrJw3E3vMP4mIxgJ9lAHADx-mcwC7DZYN-HpGql9kX-YrUT8QdsmkKEacrl5jJJ6Mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Indianola City Council voted to suspend the automatic 3 percent salary increase for council members and the board of trustees that would have been triggered by the Midwest consumer price index, reverting pay to 2024 levels for 2025.

Council discussion referenced Chapter 17.06 of the city code, which the staff presentation said ties the council's annual salary to the consumer price index for the Midwest Region. Staff also identified Resolution 2023-199 as the relevant resolution for the board of trustees' pay. The council had previously directed reverting to the 2024 salary and the direction was reaffirmed in the meeting.

One councilor noted the amount saved is small but said every saving helps given budget constraints. Another councilor cautioned against repeatedly deferring raises for multiple years, which could necessitate larger future adjustments to preserve equity.

The clerk called the roll on the motion to suspend the CPI-based increases; the recorded votes in favor indicate the motion carried.","The City Council voted to suspend the automatic consumer price index-based salary increase for council members and trustees and revert salaries to 2024 levels, citing budget pressures.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6574491,"Indianola council adopts FY2026 budget after public hearing; property tax rate falls slightly",444,202000,646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074749-3d164caef27be484558b603d0347cc31&start=202&end=646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074749-3d164caef27be484558b603d0347cc31/thumbnail_202000.jpg","/articles/6574491/Indianola/Warren-County/Iowa/Indianola-council-adopts-FY2026-budget-after-public-hearing-property-tax-rate-falls-slightly","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574491-4e9de93bff9198f4a5a2329cb905da11/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448456&Signature=nMx29egbIBdY6Ib9NLOGQqhtdV6jXPBGMWHgamh0NaBUFX5yykE7~8Kp2x5y53~9KmBItbX~iT6lh7jxheCiFp-wtGpbBDLLO5RVekIU6qqXDXfkCJWk3LYP1kWjUjsJZJqH7PdHRSAadgZqEetQMR8uVvSOhKp9VgHBzhXv05Bos2Y12c5nukX-hBq77iptAKXlyse1zihT6umDjbkaxIpViSPLkC7eE9wBOcvTBUF081WmWkXGYWRYA8I4bmJnPweboFK1PYUklYVP-on9q4rCcft-stMLh0q-Qg~AsrfhQ-auX~gAKQItoZdA8mhOSKpLkwb1s6vnUJHuqSNTjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Indianola City Council adopted the city's fiscal year 2026 budget after holding a second public hearing, the council confirmed during its April meeting.

\"Tonight we are holding the second public hearing and adopting the budget,\" said Jackie, a city staff member who presented the proposal, summarizing departmental reductions and revenue projections.

The budget process began in the fall and winter as departments submitted initial requests, Jackie told the council. From the initial submitted budgets to the proposed version presented at the hearing, total expenses decreased by about $2.5 million, a reduction of approximately 5.6 percent, Jackie said. Revenues are projected to increase by about 2.8 percent, or “just slightly under $1,200,000,” according to the presentation.

The council also discussed levy rates. The consolidated general levy for the City of Indianola was reported as $7.86 for FY2026 (down from $7.94 in FY2025). The city does not set the formula used to calculate that consolidated levy, Jackie said; state legislation determines the rate. The employee benefit levy was reported at $3.85 for FY2026, down from $3.98.

Council members asked for clarity about the timing of cuts and public communication. One councilor said residents had not yet seen the impact of service reductions and warned that community members might be surprised when cuts take effect. Jackie responded that the budget is a “living document” and can be amended during the fiscal year if new expenses or grants arise.

Following presentation and brief discussion, the council voted to adopt the budget. The clerk called the roll; the minutes record council votes in favor and the motion carried.

The council and staff noted that some operating funds (streets and stormwater) carry substantial reserves — over 75 percent, the presentation said — and that those funds may incur higher expenses next year as projects move forward. The sewer department, in its third year of operating the new plant, is expected to better forecast expenses later this year and to show effects of recent rate changes.

The city manager and staff noted that no changes had been made to the published public hearing notice and reminded the council that budget amendments may be made after July 1 if necessary. The council directed that nonunion staff receive no step increases unless the council decides otherwise; the employee benefit levy was held steady to avoid forcing deeper cuts in department budgets.

Votes at the meeting were recorded by roll call and indicated unanimous approval of the adoption motion as reflected in the clerk's tally.","After a second public hearing, the Indianola City Council adopted the FY2026 budget, citing roughly $2.5 million in expense reductions and a small decline in the consolidated levy for the city. Councilors voted to adopt the budget following staff presentation and limited public comment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Indianola council moves into closed session to evaluate an employee at request of that individual

Indianola council directs staff to draft recreational-burning ordinance tied to 2018 International Fire Code

Indianola council suspends automatic CPI pay increase for elected officials

Indianola council adopts FY2026 budget after public hearing; property tax rate falls slightly