Olson for De Soto Iowa

05/15/2026

It's been more than 2 months that we have been short a police officer for DeSoto. I have heard that the Chief isn't going to replace the officer until maybe next year. Why?
Since we lost our reserve officers, I have noticed a decrease in seeing officers enforcing traffic. The speed limit is for the most part unenforceable. Why? The department portrays in their report it has decreased. I don't see that. Can't remember when I last seen a day car pullover anyone.
Seems like we are paying more for less. Thinking about it, that is how most things are today, but I'm not willing to sacrifice the public's safety or our police officers. Don't get me wrong, I do see officers out at times, but not enforcing traffic like it was. When was I on, I found violations around the city. I refuse to believe it has everyone obeying the laws or else we wouldn't need officers at all. Alex is trying his best, but he could use the help especially now that the traffic has increased and will continue as we are going into the summer hours. I don't see the speed camera out. It's like let's not put it out to disprove what we are being told about a decrease in speeding. I see stop sign violations quite a bit too.
If you feel the same as I do, then contact the Chief of Police, mayor, and your city council people. Come into the council meeting on Tuesday @ 6pm. Tell them to stop putting our safety at risk, get the officer position filled immediately. Tell them to bring back the reserves! They did a damn good job and had the publics support. We make a lot of money off the traffic cameras. Why are we short cutting our police department. There needs to be an end to this. We are not Minnesota,"Defund the Police".

01/22/2026

January 20, 2026, DeSoto Council meeting. Good turn out. The room was filled with department personnel, vendors, and community members/citizens. Definitely needing a bigger meeting hall.
Mayor Crozier assigned the departments with liaisons. I was assigned to the fire department to help aid them with what they need or issues they may have. Looking forward to working with these true heroes.
The city council voted 4-1 in favor of appointing Josh Minton as the replacement of Samantha Long on the Board of Adjustments. Thank you Samantha for service and true reason why we have the BOA. You will be truly missed and you unbiased decision. I voted against it and referenced the Iowa Code chapter 414.8. It prohibits BOA members involved in the selling and/or purchasing real estate. Josh Minton is the manager of 3 mobile home communities located in DeSoto, Earlham, and Indianola. In his employment he sells and purchases manufactured homes. He also is the leasing agent for those homes. The law doesn't say you have to own the properties, just involved in sales/purchases. Therefore I voted "NO".
The fire department has received funding from grants and free veterinary services for an special trained dog in identifying and recognizing people with emotional distress and crisis. This is zero cost to the city and everything from food, veterinary bills, to training is covered. The city agreed to badge the dog. This means he will serve our community in recognizing people have emotion issues. By identifying people in need, it willfully get them the help and support they need. I feel this will be a great asset to our community.
The department also requested 2 new gears from totaling $7000. They gear is specially fitted to the individual fire fighters to help keep them safe and in return to keep all of us safe. The new gear is for Josh and Alex, new members on FD. Welcome aboard gentlemen and thank you for wanting to serve the community! The cost for the gear is replenished back to the city by grants after training.
The FD also requested portable water tank to add to the tanker truck. This will replace the top one and make it safer by placing it on the side. It will be safer for fire fighters to use. This especially important for water supply where hydrants are not available.
Tabled to next meeting is the fire fighters retirement fund. A program that will match upto $500/person with 3 years or more service. They have to complete yearly training requirements and 10% of calls to be eligible. Currently we have 3. Funding talks were the red light cameras funds to pay for it. Final decision in February meeting.
Water department is requesting a new well #4 pumper that will produce 200 gallons a minute. This will help out especially servicing growing population and businesses to come. The are also requesting a new computer for the pump house. Technology is always changing and the need to update the old system is needed. Both of these were also granted and paid under budget money. Around $10,000 for both.
Upcoming sewer project was passed just under $67,000. To camera, clean and repair sewer lines that deemed 4 and 5 scale in need of repair. This for 1/2 the city along maple Street. The half will need to be done in coming years.
Public concern was from Robert Greenway. He voiced his concerns with the 5 year contract and 5% pay increase agreement signed by the city. He also commented on the vehicle take home car and the dismemberment of the reserves. Bob is looking at purchasing property again in DeSoto. He may not be a current citizen, but we will still hear from the people.
The police department reports 27 traffic stops and 29 citations. This not the red light cameras. They are going to put Alex through firearm training to qualify the other 2 in the departments on yearly qualifying. Adin is going to taser training in Leavenworth, Kansas. Both of these will be keep up yearly training and qualifications for the department. The police officers do alot more than just traffic stops. Hopefully we can get more detail on the other stats they do. They can't give out names or addresses, but maybe they will give out the type of calls they handle and number of calls each month.

01/22/2026

January 20, 2026 DeSoto Council meeting.

01/17/2026

TUESDAY. January 16, 2026@ 6 pm. DeSoto Council meeting agenda

01/11/2026

01/10/2026

January 13, 2026, Tuesday at 6 pm is the budget meeting. The normal meeting is the filling Tuesday, January 20, 2026@ 6pm.

01/01/2026

So many people are looking for 2026 to help get past the events of 2025. I have heard of things that impacted their lives with negative happenings. People have lost friends and love ones. Some have faced financial challenges. Some have lost their jobs. The economy and prices of feeding their families were expensive. I'm sure the fuel prices will go back up now we are past the holidays. I am hopeful as well for a new beginning in 2026. As your newly elected city councilman, I am always eager to hear from the people of DeSoto. I will represent your voice and will always let it be heard. Please feel free to contact me or pull me off to the side and voice your opinions. I want to hear about what you want to happen or change in the city. Don't be afraid to voice your opinions to the other council members and mayor. We are working for everyone. How can we improve our services for you? Are the employees treating you with dignity and concerns? I can see improvement from all of us including myself! Your voices need to be heard! After all, it starts with you. If remain silent, nothing will change. COME TO THE COUNCIL MEETINGS. It the 3rd Tuesday of every month. We are faced with a new challenge with the new fire department. No one has officially said, but I understand the costs of building fell short of $250,000 for inadequate water supply. The water main is too small for that area. It needs an 8" main supply and more fire hydrants. How does this happen and who is responsible? Hopefully, we'll hear soon.
I want to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I hope whatever life's events that happened in years past, will positively change for the better in 2026. Keep your faith in God. Love and cherish friends and family.

Ivan Olson