The eight candidates running for the Pella City Council seats open this November have answered multiple questions about their candidacy on top of the forums they all participated in. The Pella Area Community and Economic Alliance has posted a page with questions drafted in conjunction with KNIA/KRLS News to provide more details as to why they are running for office. Be sure to click on a candidates name to ensure their response opens.

The following individuals are running for office on Tuesday, November 7th:

Mayor:
Don DeWaard (incumbent)
Tony Bokhoven

City Council – At Large:
Liz Sporrer (incumbent)
Harold Van Stryland

City Council – Ward Two:
Calvin Bandstra (incumbent)
John Butler

City Council – Ward Four:
Dave Hopkins (incumbent)
Ryle Smith

Additionally, a topic of debate will come before the voters of Pella as it relates to who directly oversees library functions. On November 7th, a referendum titled Resolution 6442 has been placed on the city and school board general election ballot after 735 signatures placed a measure before the Pella City Council for approval in June of 2022.

The ordinance, drafted in similar fashion to the City of Clive, is intended to modify the organizational structure of the Pella Public Library to align with other city department structures.

Currently, Chapter 22 of the Pella City Code provides the Library Board of Trustees with the authority to direct and control all affairs of the library; the only city department which is currently under the authority of a separate board, otherwise, all others report to the City Administrator, who then reports to the Pella City Council. The Pella Library Board of Trustees has overseen functions at the Pella Public Library for several years, and is a similar model to the vast majority of communities with libraries in Iowa.

According to the city’s legal counsel in a 2022 meeting, the ordinance does not change any First Amendment protections for library materials and patrons. If the Pella City Council were to exercise more control over the library, it would still be restricted by the same constitutional protections currently in place for the Board of Trustees. The referendum, if approved, would allow any decisions made by the Board of Trustees to ultimately be reviewed formally by the Pella City Council; a no vote would continue operations as is.

The Pella City Council does still set the overall budget of the library as it currently stands, and the board oversees more direct expenditures. The mayor appoints members of the board when vacancies arise, with council approval.

Find full audio from the PACE Alliance Pella City Council forum below.