Chelsea Hoye, Director of Government Affairs and Cody Carlson, Manager of Government Affairs with the Iowa League of Cities stop by to talk with Dubuque Mayor Brad Cavanagh for a spirited discussion of the 2026 Iowa Legislative agenda. Yep, we talk taxes. Just listen.

IowaLeague.org
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Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

Andy Lent, finance director of Altoona was surprised at how well government runs. Jim Nelson, mayor of Britt, isn't surprised at all, he says to have good government you just have to be prepared.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

Mayors David Mast of Colfax and John Westergaard of Lake View agree, getting everyone on board is the hardest part of being a mayor. You do it one step at a time and by learning what you can do and almost as important, what you can't do.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

Indianola is under construction, says Mayor Steve Richardson. First up, construction of a new sports complex. It will include new housing, new restaurants and a new road. It's a big project that will have a big impact on the city. The mayor says they are also working on re-thinking how to construct new housing programs.

Listen as Dubuque Mayor Brad Cavanagh and Mayor Richardson discuss these projects. Oh, and listen to how the mayor tried to get into the fun crowd at city meetings.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

Christina Eicher is the new president of the Iowa League of Cities and both a city clerk and a city council member. She says she was surprised at how many people get involved in city government. Rick Johnson is finishing up his term as mayor of Ottumwa and says he sees good people stepping up in his city.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

Anthony Heddlesten is the mayor of Riverdale. The city, which is almost an island surrounded by other cities, nearly doubled in size and they recently developed their last plot of farmland. Listen to how he manages growth.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

Shelby Hagan, Bondurant city clerk, didn't know how much work she had to do when she took on the job. But she's doing it well as she is this year's Rhonda Wood Smith Award winner, which recognizes excellent young city workers. Mimi Dobson is the new city attorney for Council Bluffs, she says she has already seen great people working in her city.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

Christina Eicher is the new president of the Iowa League of Cities. She comes at the job from two distinct and different roles. She is on the city council in Bennett and is the city clerk of Lisbon. Her goal this year is to give Iowa's small cities a strong voice.

Listen to her plans this year.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic