Mitchellville city council members voted to accept the resignation of Mayor Tony Jensen during a Tuesday night meeting, ending a turbulent year marked by questions over his residency and leadership.
Resignation delivered by text
While the council was reviewing documentation from the city and county assessor indicating Jensen does not maintain a primary residence in Mitchellville, the mayor sent a text message stating he would step down. He was not present at the meeting.
Background of the conflict
Less than a year after his election, Jensen faced repeated accusations from council members of missing meetings and failing to fulfill his duties. Councilwoman Morgan Lunn described the resignation as a “relief” and said the process had been “very taxing on our residents.” She added that she looks forward to moving forward with stable leadership.
Residency evidence
The council’s review included records from the city and Iowa County assessor showing Jensen does not own a home in Mitchellville. In an interview, Jensen admitted he purchased a house in nearby Bondurant but claimed he does not live there. He explained he has been staying in an RV with friends in Mitchellville because his family faced harassment that forced them to leave town.
Why he avoided the meeting
Jensen told reporters, “It’s not worth the fight. I would have lost the battle tonight. I would have had to hire an attorney, fight the battle to prove where I’m living, and it just — it’s not worth that struggle.” His decision to resign by text avoided a potentially costly legal confrontation.
Next steps for city leadership
With the mayor’s seat now vacant, the council voted to appoint a new mayor rather than hold a special election, citing the expense of another election and the need for continuity after a year of turmoil. Councilwoman Lunn warned that frequent changes in leadership create hesitancy among residents about the stability of their community.
The council has not set a date for the appointment, but officials indicated they will move quickly to restore steady governance.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
