After nearly five decades of service to the Pella community, At-Large City Councilmember Mark DeJong announced this term will be his last in office. In the city’s monthly newsletter, DeJong mentioned his tenure will end after 48 years.

“When I was an adolescent/teenager, my father was a City Council member. I grew up listening to city issues and tagging along to visit the various departments.
It has always been my dream that between the two of us, we would serve the City of Pella for 50 years. I will be bowing out after 48 years. We have achieved that dream,” Mark wrote.

DeJong says he worked with six different mayors during his tenure and countless other city councilmembers on a wide range of projects, citing that the city only had three working departments when he was first elected. Read more here.

KNIA/KRLS will announce which candidates are running for all available local offices on the ballot this November once they file official petitions with the required signatures at their respective County Auditor’s office during the filing period from August 25th through September 18th.

The following City Council seats will be on the November 4th ballot for election to four-year terms:
▪️ City Council Ward 1 [incumbent: Lynn Branderhorst]
▪️ City Council Ward 3 [incumbent: Spencer Carlstone]
▪️ City Council At-large [incumbent: Mark De Jong]

Ward map: https://bit.ly/PellaWardMap

Packets containing the necessary paperwork and additional resources are available at City Hall or at cityofpella.com/cityelection