Mount Ayr Council Votes Not To Open Pool For 2023 Season

Following lengthy discussion Monday night, Mount Ayr’s Board of Aldermen voted 3-2 not to open the Judge Lewis Pool for the 2023 pool season although they will apply for a pool permit to operate the pool. The action came at the first April meeting of the Mount Ayr City Council. The motion came after a discussion regarding the comments of a state pool inspector who stated that some previous repairs made at the pool disturbed the construction site. That will require the city to apply for a construction permit which could take several months to obtain. The city does plan to reach out to the state to see if there is an option which would allow the city to have some sort of a summer pool season. The city will continue to apply for a pool permit. If the city does not apply for a pool permit, the state will consider the pool to be closed.

In a separate vote, Mount Ayr’s Board of Aldermen voted 3-2 not to begin plans to construct a new outdoor pool. Mount Ayr voters approved a financing measure to pay off no more than $2 million dollars in general obligation bonds for the construction, furnishings, and equipment for a public summing pool in March, but there is still a split regarding the options for an outdoor pool and a hybrid pool. Some council members wish to wait until a public informational meeting is held on May 3rd on for a hybrid pool.

Council members approved a new Assistant City Administrator’s position for Mount Ayr by a 4-1 vote. Dennis Dugan has been hired for the position.

Council members approved contributing $12,000 to Ringgold County Economic Development.

Mount Ayr’s Housing Grant was also approved at the meeting.

The council approved a fence bid at Loch Ayr Lake to Austin Adams.