By Sam Parsons

The Mahaska Chamber hosted its first Coffee and Conversation event of 2025 on Saturday morning at Smokey Row Coffee. The weekend’s forum featured local government officials from the city of Oskaloosa and Mahaska County, including Oskaloosa mayor David Krutzfeldt, and Mahaska County Supervisors Mark Groenendyk, Steve Wanders, and Chuck Webb. Mahaska County residents were able to ask questions about pressing local issues, including property taxes, housing development, and various projects happening in the county.

Mahaska County Supervisor Mark Groenendyk talked about changes to property taxes from the state legislature and how that has impacted what Mahaska County can do.

Oskaloosa mayor David Krutzfeldt was asked about the recent city council vote to amend the city’s 28E agreement with the city of Pella for the SCRAA. Krutzfeldt said that the agreement was changed to account for Mahaska County no longer being a part of it, and to ensure that no action could be taken by the SCRAA without approval from both city councils; and on top of that, the SCRAA needed to continue to exist for financial liability reasons.

Mayor Krutzfeldt also answered a question regarding the status of the pool at the Mahaska County YMCA. He explained that the city is still in litigation regarding the pool, but that there is light at the end of that tunnel.

The next Coffee and Conversation event is scheduled for Saturday, January 25. It will feature members from the Iowa State legislature, including Senators Ken Rozenboom and Adrian Dickey, as well as House Representatives Helena Hayes and Barb Kniff-McCulla.