🎃 CITY OF MOUNT VERNON – TRICK-OR-TREATING ANNOUNCEMENT! 👻🍬
Get your costumes ready, Mount Vernon! 🧙♀️🦇
The City of Mount Vernon’s trick-or-treating hours are Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
We encourage everyone to have a fun and safe Halloween! Please remember to watch for individuals crossing the streets, drive carefully, and keep an eye out for trick-or-treaters throughout the evening.
🍭 Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Have a safe, and fun-filled Halloween! 🎃👻
There is a watermain break at 5th Avenue and Palisades Rd SW. Water service may be affected for properties on and near the south side of Palisades Road. We appreciate your patience while repairs are made.
The Nancy Doreen Huffman Dog Park at Nature Park will be closed for part of the day on Thursday, 10/8/2026, from Sunrise until Noon for mowing/trimming maintenance. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
The City of Mount Vernon is currently undergoing a required software upgrade, as our previous system is becoming obsolete and will no longer be supported by the vendor.
If you believe there is an error on your most recent utility bill please contact City Hall. City staff is actively reviewing these concerns and expects to have additional information available next week.
Please understand there was a rate increase of 15% on July 1 due to state mandated upgrades to the wastewater facility. If your bill has increased more than 15%, you are encouraged to contact Mount Vernon City Hall.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this transition. No late fees will be assessed during this time.
Fall and the holiday season are quickly approaching! Check out the fall newsletter for the the leaf pick up schedule and holiday related events and city hall closures.
The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) will be reconstructing sections of Highway 1 in Mount Vernon, beginning in 2027. This two-phase project is expected to affect the following locations:
• 2nd Street North to the Union Pacific Railway
• 2nd Street South to the US Business 30 Roundabout
Residents may see IDOT employees and subcontractor JCG in the area over the coming weeks and days.
An old trolley line from Cedar Rapids to Mount Vernon has been considered the future pathway for an Interurban Trail Connection since 1992. In recent years, Alliant Energy, Linn County Trails Association, the City of Cedar Rapids and the City of Mount Vernon have taken active steps to making this a reality. Please take time to complete a short survey and let them know your thoughts on the matter!
Link to information on everything fall, including cemetery cleanup, holiday garbage schedules and upcoming community events.
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.
Mount Vernon’s City Hall, located at 213 1st St NW, is open 24/7 during times of extreme heat to serve as a cooling station.