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Mt. Sterling (IA) Nears Discontinuance

City leaders in Mount Sterling, IA started exploring the idea of discontinuing the small town in southern Van Buren County after no one ran for public office last fall.

Mayor Tom Allen says the incumbents were not interested in remaining in office and there was no one there to replace them.

If Mount Sterling is discontinued, it will remain on all maps of Iowa.

The changes would be that the city council would be disbanded and services like snow removal and dust control would be handled by Van Buren County.

Allen says the city council has approved a discontinuance resolution.  He says that move gave residents until July 4 to file a petition to call for a public vote on whether the community should become un-incorporated.

This is Mount Sterling’s second attempt to end city government this year.  A previous effort was halted over concerns about the legality of one of the votes along the way.

Allen says the city council has also agreed to reduce its membership from five to three members in case the discontinuance resolution is halted.  He says that would make it easier to govern in the event that a city council is still needed.

Mount Sterling’s assets will go to the Mount Sterling Community Betterment Association.  They include the city park, the community hall and some office furniture and supplies.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.