Keokuk's City government is led by Keokuk's mayor and city council, a system that engages office holder in city leadership as well as community and economic development. City leaders also work closely with the Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce and Keokuk Economic Development Group as well as the Lee County Economic Development Corporation to secure a strong future for the community.
The close network of city personnel, including administrative, police, fire and public works, strives to provide services that go well beyond the average, working toward the betterment of the community. The results to the city are apparent. Keokuk has a more favorable insurance class rating than areas outside of the city.
The city has 19 firefighters, 24-full time police officers (plus 3 civilians, such as records clerks, etc.) and 81 public works employees. The mayor, elected to two-year terms, is at the helm of the river city. City council members, all four-year term seats, represent residents in city's seven wards bringing concerns and suggestions to the table weekly for discussion, as well as 2 council member elected to at-large terms.
City Council meetings are open to the public. The meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of every month at Keokuk City Hall. City council workshops are weekly and special meetings are occasionally called. Keokuk's city council and public works departments recently finished an ambitious Main Street renovation and are gearing up to an equally forward-looking 12-year plan to rebuild the city's main arteries and neighborhood streets.
In addition to a wider Main Street complete with turning lanes, period lighting was installed along the new sidewalks. Plentiful drinking water is provided to residents and local industry by the Keokuk Municipal Water Works, a cutting edge water plant capable of exceeding the city's demands. The water system, which was expanded in 1998 - 1999, has a daily production capacity of 24 million gallons.
Future plans include sewer renovation, keeping in mind service to residents, business and industry, and better meeting environmental standards.
City Council |
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|---|---|---|
| Zane Zirkel | At Large | 319-524-7044 |
| John Helenthal | At Large | 319-524-6902 |
| Mike O’Connor | 1st Ward | 319-524-3422 |
| Michael Moore | 2nd Ward | 319-795-3008 |
| Ron Payne | 3rd Ward | 319-524-8449 |
| Larry Mortimer | 4th Ward | 319-524-1972 |
| Sandy Pollitt | 5th Ward | 319-524-3809 |
| Roger Bryant | 6th Ward | 319-524-2647 |
| Susan Dunek | 7th Ward
Mayor Pro Tem |
319-524-6712 |
