Amandus to resign council seat June 18

MOVING TO KEOKUK

We’re going to move to Keokuk where my kids and grandkids are. I have the 8th one on the way and I have sisters that live there and I’ll be doing Real Estate full-time. I’m really looking forward to it, but I will miss you all.”

Donna Amandus, FM 3rd Ward Councilwoman

CITY NEEDS 3RD WARD CANDIDATES

The Fort Madison City Council is looking for candidates to fill the 3rd Ward council spot with current Councilwoman Donna Amandus resigning on June 18.

FORT MADISON – Fort Madison City Councilwoman Donna Amandus has announced her resignation from the council effective June 18.
Amandus told the Council Tuesday night that she is moving to Keokuk and closing her Yuppy Puppy Pet Parlor in Fort Madison.
“June 18th will be my last council meeting. So we need to find somebody good to take my place in Ward 3,” she told the council during her report.
“We’re going to move to Keokuk where my kids and grandkids are. I have the 8th one on the way and I have sisters that live there and I’ll be doing Real Estate full-time. I’m really looking forward to it, but I will miss you all,” she told the council.
Amandus was first appointed to the Council in 2020 to replace Tyler Miller who also resigned mid-term. Amandus ran for Supervisor in 2022 and lost by just 31 votes to former Fort Madison City Councilman Tom Schulz for District 2. She has also run for Fort Madison Mayor and for State Representative.
She was re-elected to her Third Ward seat on the council in 2023 running unopposed.
Amandus has spearheaded several successful philanthropic events in Fort Madison including the city’s dog park near the Rodeo Arena, and the wildly popular pickleball courts in Victory Park in the center of the city.
Fort Madison Mayor Matt Mohrfeld thanked Amandus for all that she had done in public service for the city council and the community. He said his preference would be to have the council appoint someone to the seat. That person would serve until the 2025 general city election, unless the city were to hold a special election for any reason, then the position would also be on that ballot.
The city is currently working on a bond referendum to build a new fire station. If that measure is put before Fort Madison voters, the 3rd Ward seat would be required to be on that ballot, according to Iowa Code 372.13 (2)(a)(1).
Any appointment would have to be made within 60 days, or Aug. 16, and the city would have to publish its intent to fill the spot by appointment.  Those interested in the position should contact Fort Madison City Clerk Justina Cullen at 319-372-7700.