Center Junction changes course, votes to disband

CENTER JUNCTION - Worn out, Center Junction has voted to disband.

'Everybody is tired of fighting,” said Pam Leytem, major pro tempore for the Jones County town of 103.

The five-member council voted unanimously Tuesday night to dissolve amid concerns the town has too few residents to cover the costs of running a city.

Center Junction leaders discovered earlier this year taxes weren't keeping up with expenses, which include payments for law enforcement, library service, and emergency management, Mayor Sandy Ricklefs said in December. She and the city clerk considered taking out a loan, but determined the situation would be the same next year unless they raised taxes on the dwindling population.

A 3-to-2 vote Jan. 5 against dissolving caused Ricklefs to resign. Leytem, who became mayor Jan. 5, said she hoped the city could get out of debt by selling some assets. But residents who agreed with her were not as vocal as those who want to dissolve, she said Thursday.

Ricklefs, who researched the process of dissolving, agreed to come back as mayor if other council members voted to disband, Leytem said.

Center Junction residents have 30 days in which they can petition for a city vote. If there's no petition, the Des Moines-based City Development Board would vote on the resolution.

Center Junction would then go the way of other Iowa hamlets, including Millville (population 30), a Clayton County town that become unincorporated in July, and Mount Sterling (population 36), a Van Buren County town that voted to dissolve in 2012.

By disincorporating, Center Junction will have fewer traffic lights and slower snow removal, officials said. Law enforcement will not change significantly and the city's fire department is expected to continue as part of a township, Ricklefs said.