Mount Ayr Council Approves Participation In Rural Shrink Iowa Initiative

Mount Ayr’s Board of Aldermen approved their participation in the Rural Shrink Iowa Initiative during their meeting on Monday night.

The Rural Shrink Iowa Initiative is a research project through Iowa State University and financed with a $1.5 million dollar grant from the National Science Foundation. The initiative is intended to stabliize or improve the quality of life in Iowa towns that have lost population. There will be no cost on the part of the City of Mount Ayr to participate in the program.

Mount Ayr’s council agreed to most of the 28E agreement with Ringgold County that will pay for services provided by the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department.

A motion for increased pay for lifeguards that are assuming pool manager duties when a pool manager is not at the pool died due to the lack of a second on the motion.

Liquor licenses were approved for Lefty’s Tavern and rAyr Market.

The council received updates on potential zoning recommendations that may be considered at a future meeting. One of those will deal with the zoning for specific garage sizes.

The City of Mount Ayr has approximately $400,000 for street and storm water work.

The city will also be receiving about $220,000 in American Rescue Funds.

Mount Ayr’s council also officially approved their application to the USDA for financial assistance for wastewater and sanitary sewer improvements at the session.