The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors voted to remove themselves from a 28E Agreement between the City of Pella and City of Oskaloosa to build a new regional airport.
A proposal submitted by board member Mark Doland passed on a 2-1 vote after extensive public comment at their meeting this week. New Supervisor Mark Gronendyk joined Doland, and Henry W. Van Weelden voted against the resolution.
According to the 28E Agreement passed in 2012, the three entities agreed in good faith to complete all necessary procedures to build a new regional airport in northern Mahaska County to replace the Pella and Oskaloosa municipal facilities, and formed the South Central Regional Airport Agency (SCRAA).
At Tuesday’s meeting, numerous Mahaska County residents spoke in favor of the amendment removing the county from the agreement first approved in 2012. The resolution cites the voter’s disapproval of the regional airport project, but no formal vote was held prior to the proposal.
Pella City Administrator Mike Nardini tells KNIA/KRLS News in order for the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors to formally withdraw, they would need approval from both the Pella City Council and Oskaloosa City Council.
“It’s very important in discussing this topic to realize that the current agreement that we have with Mahaska County and the city of Oskaloosa, in order to change the agreement or withdraw from the agreement it takes unanimous approval from the partners of the agreement,” he says.
Nardini says the Pella City Council plans to address the proposed amendment at their February 7th meeting.
The 28E agreement document outlines a $250,000 penalty if any of the government bodies attempt to severely delay or deny provisions required to complete the project.
The SCRAA will next meet on January 31st at 6 p.m. at the Pella Public Safety Complex.