Sheldon, Iowa — The position of mayor for the City of Sheldon will be decided in an election to be held on May 21st.
Sheldon City officials tell KIWA that a petition was received at the City Office late Tuesday afternoon calling for a “reverse referendum”, meaning sufficient Sheldon citizens have signed a petition to set aside the council’s appointment of a mayor to replace former mayor Katricia Meendering.
On Monday evening the council installed former councilman Greg Geels as mayor, who will serve as mayor until the reverse referendum election.
City Manager Sam Kooiker says anyone desiring to run for the mayor’s position would need to turn in a nominating petition signed by 25 Sheldon residents by 5:00 pm on Friday, April 26th, for their name to be on the ballot for the reverse referendum. Kooiker says the election would then be held on Tuesday, May 21st.
During Monday’s special city council meeting the council favored using the appointment process to fill the at-large council seat. However, since a petition for a reverse referendum for the mayor’s position forces an election for that office, the council may well opt to put the council seat on the May 21st ballot, as well.
The petition may be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
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Original post 2:53pm, Tuesday April 16th
Sheldon, Iowa — The Sheldon City Council has appointed Greg Geels as Sheldon’s new mayor, and at Monday’s special council meeting expressed their desire to appoint someone to fill the at-large council position Geels vacated to become mayor.
However, things may play out differently than originally planned. Sheldon citizens may force an election for the mayor’s post. If a petition to hold an election, bearing at least 27 signatures, is presented to the City Council by 4:30 Wednesday afternoon, it would force what is called a “reverse referendum”, meaning that an election would be held to fill the mayor’s position.
In the event of a reverse referendum, City Manager Sam Kooiker says any mayoral candidates would need to turn in a nominating petition signed by around 25 Sheldon residents by 5:00 pm on Friday, April 26th, for their name to be on the ballot for the reverse referendum. Kooiker says the election would then be held on Tuesday, May 21st.
During Monday’s special city council meeting the council favored using the appointment process to fill the at-large council seat. However, if a petition for a reverse referendum for the mayor’s position forces an election for that office, the council may well opt to put the council seat on the May 21st ballot, as well.
