Mona City Council approves Mona Soda business permit, interlocal election agreement and routine payments

Mona — The Mona City Council on May 20 approved a business permit for Mona Soda at 137 North Main, adopted an interlocal agreement with Jewett County for administration of the 2025 election and authorized payment of routine city finances.

The approvals came during the council's action-items segment after an applicant, Kelly Andrews, presented plans for a family-run soda and treats shop in the former Big Burgers building. Andrews said the business would start primarily as a drive-through with a walk-up window and limited outdoor seating, incorporate a few treats from local vendor Casey Woodland, and begin on a one‑year lease while the family gauges demand. The council voted to approve the business permit after a motion and second; the meeting record does not include a roll-call tally.

The council also approved Resolution 2025-9, an interlocal cooperation agreement with Jewett County for administration of the 2025 election. The clerk reported the agreement cost to the city would be $7,003.40 and noted there are 1,147 registered voters in the city roll as of her remarks. The clerk said candidate packets will be available online starting next week and that the office will work with potential filers to accommodate the statutory filing window and the office's published hours.

Council members then moved and seconded a motion to pay the city's listed finances; the motion carried. The finance report at the meeting was described as small; the finance officer was not present.

Votes at a glance - Approve business permit — Mona Soda, 137 North Main: motion made and seconded; outcome: approved (tally not specified in the record). - Approve Resolution 2025-9 — Interlocal cooperation with Jewett County for administration of the 2025 election: motion made and seconded; outcome: approved (tally not specified in the record). Cost to city shown as $7,003.40. - Approve payment of city finances: motion made and seconded; outcome: approved (tally not specified).

Why it matters Approving the Mona Soda permit clears the way for a new small, family-run business in a long-vacant downtown storefront. The election interlocal agreement commits the city to work with the county on election administration and establishes the expense the city will bear for local election services this cycle. The finance vote completes routine municipal business required to keep city operations current.

What the council recorded Applicant Kelly Andrews described the business model as a drink-focused shop with a limited number of complementary treats supplied by a local vendor, a primarily drive-through service with one or two walk-up windows, and an initial one-year lease. The clerk provided the election paperwork schedule and the interlocal agreement cost. The finance report was described as small and without outstanding questions.