Oskaloosa council approves amended 28E agreement for South Central Regional Airport over public opposition

The Oskaloosa City Council on Monday approved an amended and restated 28E agreement with the City of Pella concerning the South Central Regional Airport (SCRA), despite public comment urging the city to withdraw and several council members saying they would vote no.

The agreement, placed on the Dec. 16 agenda at the mayor’s direction, revises the intergovernmental compact to reflect a recent Iowa Supreme Court ruling and changes governance and approval rules. Among the changes discussed at the meeting, the draft requires the SCRA Board to obtain approval from the Oskaloosa and Pella city councils before proceeding with additional land acquisition, eminent-domain actions or construction. It also revises representation on the SCRA board and financial responsibility language.

Why it matters: The item reopened a long-running regional debate over a proposed regional airport that residents and some elected officials said has divided the community for decades. Public speakers said the project threatens family farms and property rights; supporters said the amendment preserves…