When Iolans go to the polls in November, only those living in the southwest quadrant of town will have a choice to make, at least when it pertains to local governance.
That’s because of Iola’s voting ward makeup, which has been in place since since the eight-member city council was established in 2011.
Councilwoman Kim Peterson would like to change that.
At Peterson’s request, City Council members will consider Monday whether to implement changes in how Iolans choose their elected leaders, and how many would be seated.
Peterson has asked the city to reduce its size to five members, from the current eight, and to do away entirely with voting wards, making all of the elected officials at-large representatives.
A dearth of choices in the November election prompted Peterson’s requests.
To wit, four Council seats are up for grab — five if you tack on Mayor Steve French’s seat.
But only one seat is contested, with Nich Lohman being challenged by Myra Gleason in Ward 3, in the southwest part of town.
Two other candidates are virtually assured of election because they have no opposition on the ballot. Former Councilman Mark Peters was the only candidate to file in Ward 2, the northeast quadrant. Likewise, Jeremiah Ivy filed to represent Iola’s Fourth Ward, in the southeast part of the town.
Meanwhile, a write-in candidate will be needed to represent Iola’s First Ward, which covers the northwest part of town. Incumbent Josiah D’Albini did not run for re-election, nor did anybody else.
French also is unopposed in his mayoral re-election bid.
The entire Iola voting block selects at-large seats.
IN HIS notes to the Council, Iola City Administrator Matt Rehder has suggestions for the Council to consider, should it opt to down-size, such as allowing open seats in the 2027 and 2029 election cycles to be dissolved.
The decision would require a charter ordinance, which would require a majority of the entire governing body, including the mayor, who normally only votes to break ties.
The charter ordinance must then be subject to a 60-day protest period, in which voters could file a petition challenging the maneuver. If so, the request would go to a citywide vote.
The size of the Council has been long talked about since Iolans voted overwhelmingly to do away with the old three-member city commission in 2009.
