Keokuk City Council Supports Public Consolidation Vote

Keokuk, IA – The Keokuk City Council has weighed in on the possible consolidation of Lee County government. The Lee County Board of Supervisors has spent the last year talking about creating one county seat, instead of the current seats, Keokuk and Fort Madison. The Keokuk City Council approved a resolution, last night, that calls on the supervisors to not act on any consolidation effort without a positive vote of the citizens of Lee County. Alderman Bill Olmsted says the citizens should have a say in the possible consolidation of Lee County. He says the resolution does not put the city council on either side of the consolidation issue. Two council members voted against the measure. In other action, the council voted in favor of another resolution that calls on state leaders to keep the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison.