Mayor recall election divides the city of Iona

Iona Mayor Brad Andersen faces a recall election on Aug. 30 and it’s causing controversy in the small town.

Bonneville County elections office said 288 people signed the petition to hold a recall election, however only 228 were actually registered voters who live in the city of Iona.

Lawrence Burke circulated the petition around the city. He said the citizen’s right to vote on how the city bills for water usage is not fair.

Some citizens say the mayor wants to meter water use in the city. Mayor Brad Andersen told Local News 8/KIDK Eyewitness News that nothing is set in stone.

“This isn’t really a water issue. It’s the right of the citizens to have a voice in their government,” said Burke.

A group of Iona citizens are upset that a referendum presented to the City Council didn’t pass. That group believes the community should have a right to vote on any changes to utility billing.

“A metered system is a way to expand government bureaucracy,” said Burke.

The city currently charges a flat fee of $30 to all water consumers. The mayor said that meters would allow the city to collect data on how much water is used. He also told Local News 8/KIDK Eyewitness News that studies show that meters help with water conservation.

In the city’s May newsletter the mayor wrote, “The people doing the recall wanted to change the way the city did business. The council voted it down because it would have tied the (city’s) hands on even enforcing one person who was habitually wasting water. For example, it would be similar to hiring a policeman, but not giving him a gun or vehicle so that he can have the tools to do their job.”

Burke, among others, believe the mayor should not have written that in a newsletter that is sent out with city funds. A complaint regarding the newsletter was filed with the Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office. The prosecutor’s office tells Local News 8/KIDK Eyewitness News it reviewed the letter. The letter was sent out before the recall became a ballot measure. Criminal charges will not be filed by the prosecutor’s office.

“Just because the prosecutor says it’s not illegal does not mean it’s not unethical,” said Burke.

Mayor Andersen said he sees nothing wrong with his message in the May newsletter.

“I didn’t say in it to vote for me or this or that. I said if you have questions give me a call. I can tell you a little bit of what’s going on and what’s involved in a recall petition. That’s basically what I was trying to do. I wasn’t trying to say vote for me and don’t vote for them or whatever,” Andersen said.

Andersen said water meters are not going to be installed but that the city needs to think about the future.

After 11 years in office he hopes his community remembers his other accomplishments.

“I’ve said it before I’m not a lot of things but I’m honest. I love Iona. I want to do what’s best for the community and that’s what I’ve tried to do for the community,” said Andersen.

Some 268 people need to vote in favor of recalling Andersen for him to be removed from office. Bonneville County Elections Office said only two precincts will be used for the election. The county is unsure how much the election will cost taxpayers.