Announcements
Fireworks – Effective July 1, 2025
New legislation regarding the use of fireworks was signed by the governor with an effective date of July 1, 2025.
July 4th – Holiday Closure
City offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, in celebration of Independence Day. Residents with Friday refuse and yard waste service will have pick-up on Saturday, July 5th. Otherwise, normal business hours resume Monday, July 7th at 7:00 a.m.
Please note that City Hall (213 First St NW) will remain open 24 hours throughout the holiday to serve as a cooling center, if there is excessive heat.
Smart Streetlights
Smart streetlights have been installed uptown which will begin operating 24/7 over the holiday weekend, pending necessary adjustments. The LED banners will remain off during this same time period. System adjustments will continue into next week, at which point the lights will return to a regular operating schedule. We appreciate your patience and understanding while City staff and contractors work to optimize the system.
Uptown Streetscape Improvement Project
The City has initiated a Streetscape Master Plan project for Uptown Mount Vernon, IA. This plan will serve as a vision for the future design of Uptown for 1st Street from 3rd Avenue SW to B Avenue SE, as well as the adjoining North Alley area. Stay tuned for more information.
Our Town
Welcome to historic Mount Vernon, Iowa. Take a stroll through our lively uptown district filled with charming shops and boutiques. Dine at top-rated restaurants with local flair. And discover countless cultural treasures — from art galleries to historic sites, a farmer’s market, local and state parks, a landmark theater, and more.
Stay in the Know
Minute with the Mayor
July 2025
The theme for this article is projects almost done and projects starting.
As for completed projects, check out the additions to the art in the park area. While additional green space is being prepared, note the new entrance structure from our own Dale Merril of Liberty Ironworks. Youth programs in soccer, baseball and softball are winding down. Thanks to the many children who signed up for these programs, and the parents who ferried them around. An upcoming ribbon cutting is the grand opening in August of the 30 unit Cottonwood Apartments. And welcome to the 30 new households this brings to Mt. Vernon.
Additionally, 2 existing kiosks, including one in Nature Park, have been refreshed by the Mt.Vernon Sustainability Committee with appropriate ‘green’ topical information. If you haven’t been to the pool lately, check out the new pool features including the ever popular slides. One of the more visible projects that is mostly finished are the new street lights downtown with new features on each pole.
There are 4 projects that are just starting. Grading has begun on the Stonebrook park development. The ‘seedling 1/8 mile’ has been graded along Bryant Road with rock added and awaits the pouring of concrete later this summer. The bidding period has ended and soon a contractor will be announced for the Rachel Street project. This is a preliminary step to getting the Kwik Star store started. Yet this summer, Skogman will be pouring 3 blocks of new street as Spring Meadows adds to Ashton and Candlestick Streets and continues to move north.
July 4/5-Â Â Â Â Nitty Gritty antique weekend
July 11/12- Heritage Days
Aug. 9-End of Shop Local program
Have a question of City staff? Use the Contact tab on the City of Mt. Vernon web page or contact me at twieseler@cityofmtvernon-ia.gov. Welcome to spring!
