Ron Kohn Steps Down As Glenwood's Mayor

The Glenwood City Council has accepted the resignation of Mayor Ron Kohn.

Kohn, who was elected to serve a fourth two-year term in last month’s election, resigned for personal health reasons early last week. His resignation was accepted with  reluctance at the council’s regular meeting on Nov. 28.

In announcing his resignation, Glenwood City Administrator Amber Farnan recognized Kohn for his achievements as mayor and the progress the city has made during his tenure.

Farnan said during his time as mayor, the city purchased a new ladder truck for the fire department, a loader for the Public Works department, installed water and sewer to the Marian Heights subdivision, weathered fallout from historic flooding in 2019, navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, taken over EMS operations from the Glenwood Volunteer Fire Association and created the City of Glenwood’s first full-time staffed/paid firefighters/EMTs and paramedic. The city also worked with developers and SWIPCO to secure grant funding to bring new housing and apartments to the city, entered an agreement with Mills County and Western Iowa Networks to bring broadband into the Glenwood city limits and secured funding for North Locust Street reconstruction.

Farnan noted Kohn was very involved in the day-to-day operations of the City.

"He was always available when we needed something,” she said.

Kohn represented the city in many facets and attended many board meetings and functions on the city’s behalf. He also took interest in the appearance of City Hall  - adding two planters outside and helping design the new entryway - and volunteered his time at Glenwood Lake Park.

Kohn, a retired educator, served multiple terms on the Mills County Board of Supervisors before being elected mayor in 2017, running as a write-in candidate.

Before accepting his resignation, members of the city council voiced their appreciation to Kohn for his efforts to better the Glenwood community.

The city council has chosen to fill the mayoral vacancy by appointment and must adhere to the following state guidelines in doing so:

* The appointment must be made within 60 days of the vacancy.

The city must post public notice of council’s intent to appoint, including the date of the meeting at which the appointment will occur. The posting must be made not less than four days and not more than 20 days before an appointment.

* Must note in public notice that the public can petition for a special election.

* If the council fails to appoint someone within the 60-day period, notice must be given to the election commission and a special election must be held.

* Once the appointment date is chosen, official notice will be posted on the city’s website and in The Opinion Tribune.  Anyone interested in being considered for appointment should email a cover letter and resume to cityclerk@cityofglenwood.org. Once Council chooses interview dates/times, interested candidates will be notified. The appointment is good until the next regular city election, unless the city places any item on a ballot between now and then.