The city of Oskaloosa is deciding whether to suspend plans for a regional airport in Mahaska County

The city of Oskaloosa will vote Monday night on whether to suspend plans to build a regional airport in Mahaska County. City Council members will consider an amended and restated 28E agreement with the City of Pella for the South Central Regional Airport. Approval of this updated agreement would officially put the plans on hold until the Federal Aviation Administration provides further guidance. Under the amended agreement, the cities of Pella and Oskaloosa would each have three representatives on the airport board. The two cities would have to give the board written approval before taking certain actions. This includes expediting construction, acquiring more land, changing the location of the airport and taking advantage of eminent domain. Each city would be responsible for 50% of the airport’s net expenses. Under the previous agreement, the City of Oskaloosa was responsible for 40% of the next expenditure and the City of Pella was responsible for 60%. The city of Pella approved the agreement on December 3rd. Now it’s turning the town of Oskaloosa. But some residents are calling on city council members to do more. “A pause just means it’s not over,” said Alicia Helm, an Oskaloosa resident who opposes the airport project. Helm said she wished the city would vote to end the airport project altogether. Their main concern is landowners who could lose their property during construction. “I couldn’t just watch people who worked so hard lose their land for something they can’t even use,” Helm said. “We don’t need it.” Helm said she was preparing a speech for Monday night’s meeting. She hopes others will show up to send a message to city leaders. “We need to remind them who they serve,” she said. “They don’t serve one person. They serve the entire city.” KCCI reached out to the City of Oskaloosa and the mayor but received no response. KCCI also reached out to the South Central Regional Airport Association but received no response.” Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayGet the latest headlines from KCCI