By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa City Council held their first meeting of 2026 last night and officially swore in the officials who were elected, or re-elected, in November last year. The oath of office was administered to mayor David Krutzfeldt and council members Ronda Almond, Janet Hermsen, Andy Holmberg, and Javin Sword.

In regular business, the first reading of an ordinance relating to animal control was passed. According to city staff, the ordinance corrects superficial errors in the previous code and eliminates registration requirements for domestic animals within city limits, in addition to instituting a minor fee for dangerous dog appeal requests. The ordinance also allows for alternate enforcement action penalties for certain violations of the code, including animal leash law and animal at-large violations, nuisance animal noise, animal immunization violations, and other violations of the dangerous dog ordinance.

The first reading of a new ordinance addressing abandoned or “junk” vehicles was also passed by the council. The ordinance grants the Oskaloosa Police Department expanded powers to move or impound those vehicles. Police Chief Ben Boeke told the council that, for the time being, these vehicles will be moved to a fenced-off area in the brush dump.

The council also approved a revision to the CORE (Community-Oriented Revitalization & Enhancement) Downtown Improvement Grant Program. City staff said that interest in the program was “substantial,” but several applicants have reported difficulty obtaining multiple quotes for their proposed work, as required. The revision allows for exceptions if an applicant demonstrates a lack of timely response or availability of qualified contractors.

The next regular meeting for the Oskaloosa City Council is scheduled for January 19.