MITCHELLVILLE, Iowa —
A wave of sudden resignations leaves the Mitchellville City Council unable meet and conduct regular business.
Two council members resigned within days of each other, compounding an already vacant seat and leaving the five-member council without a quorum. Without the minimum three members required to meet or take action, the city is now legally unable to conduct business until the three openings are filled.
Several residents say the timing of the resignations is no coincidence.
“We could’ve avoided this whole situation,” said Mitchellville resident Elaine Webb. “It’s all a political act.”
The first resignation came last week, when Councilman Scott Wheeler announced on social media that he was stepping down. In his post, Wheeler cited “drama during the election and actions taken that day by the incoming administration.”
Days later, ahead of the first scheduled city council meeting of the year, Councilwoman Pieper Brodsack also resigned. She attributed her decision to the “current political climate” in Mitchellville.
At the time of those resignations, one council seat was already vacant — a seat that was expected to be filled at Monday’s meeting by Shane Smith, the runner-up in the most recent city council election. Because both resignations occurred before that meeting could take place, the appointment was never made.
Under Iowa law, once the council fell below a quorum, members were no longer allowed to meet or appoint replacements. According to the Iowa League of Cities, a five-member council must have at least three members present to legally conduct business. With only two remaining, the council was effectively paralyzed.
Residents critical of the resignations argue that stepping down before the meeting ensured the appointment could not happen, forcing a costly and time-consuming special election instead.
“I wish they would have gave our new people a chance,” one resident said.
KCCI has made multiple attempts to contact the city and the mayor for comment, but has not received a response.
Adding to the turmoil at City Hall, another resignation followed. Chris Pruitt, Mitchellville’s public works director, stepped down Tuesday, citing harassment and a hostile working environment involving the city’s mayor and a city councilwoman.
Shane Smith confirmed he plans to run for city council again in the special election.
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