Kalona

Washington County YMCA executive director Amy Schulte gave a report on the summer activities to the Kalona council on Monday evening, Oct. 19. Schulte said the YMCA was pleased by the participation in the summer programs and attendance in Kalona. 

She noted the season pass holders at the Kalona pool were up from 213 in 2019 to 491 in 2026. And the season pass visits went from 2,061 to 4,057 this past summer.  

Schulte did express concern about people ignoring the request to not have glass products in the pool area as she noted that most cell phones have glass covers. She noted that anytime a glass products is broken in the pool, they have to drain it according to state law.  

She asked the council to consider a new regulation regarding no glass and if any have a glass product, they are fined.  She noted in Washington, anyone with glass is fined $500. City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh said that sounded like a reasonable request. 

  Rates for 2027

Schulte thanked the city of Kalona for being a member of the YMCA family and said that were getting healthier. “We’re building stronger, healthier communities.”

Schulte announced that only the Kalona rates will have to increase in 2027 as the next step is to bring the city rates in line with all the other access rates in other cities.

The rates for 2027 are the following:

Single- from $222 to $288 per ear.

Family-from $336 to $432 per year.

Senior- from $132 to $180 per year . 

Senior family from $222 to $288 per year.

Nonprofit agreements

The council directed staff to formalize service agreements for the non-profit organizations, which are the Washington County Economic Development Group (WEDG), The Kalona Historical Society, The Washington County Mini Bus and the Kalona Chamber of Commerce at the state’s request.

The goal for the agreements is to provide a more formal agreement and public purpose for any yearly allocation of funds. Currently they are funded as line items in the budget.

Other action

The council also approved several resolutions involving construction easement and a permanent water plant distribution line easement; a contract and performance and payment bonds for water system improvements; and a loan authorizing and disbursement agreement and sewer revenue bond, Series 2026A.

They council also set a public hearing for November 2 on a loan and disbursement agreement for the $750,000 in water system improvements.    

Schlabaugh explained that Ferguson Waterworks would replace the water meters and that residents would be notified when company employees would arrive. He noted that the company vehicles would be clearly marked. Replacing the 1,300 meters is expected to take three months, he said.