The Indianola City Council has given direction to city staff to move forward on an appointment application to appoint a new Mayor, citing the approximate cost of an election in March which is estimated to reach $10,000, and the fact a new election will take place in the fall of 2021. City Manager Ryan Waller tells KNIA News the council has decided to go forward with an appointment process, however residents can force an election if they so choose.

“The citizens of the community may file a petition with the city clerk to force a special election to occur. The same facts and data apply if the petition is qualified, and the election would take place the second Tuesday in March of 2021. The citizens have the option to go that route if that is what they feel is necessary, and if there are enough qualified signatures on the petition.”

A petition would include gathering over 330 signatures and be registered with the city clerk.