Discussions between Kalona and Shiloh regarding annexation continue. The second committee meeting and open house took place earlier this month at the Shiloh Church. Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh briefed the city council on progress during their meeting last week. Schlabaugh said he was happy there were over 30 people at the meeting and more than 50 at the open house. The Washington County Conservation Board was represented at the meeting and spoke in front of the group.

WCCB Director Zach Rozmus tells KCII News that he sees a lot of potential when it comes to Shiloh, “I would say that right now the main word is ‘opportunity.’ We keep talking about wanting to get a footprint in the northern half of the county, this is a great opportunity to do that. If anyone drives through the Shiloh area, they’re going to realize really quickly that there’s some great native woodlands, options for recreated prairies there right along the drive, there’s also some wetlands that are already in programs that there’s a possibility that conservation could kind of swoop in and manage some of those properties. How it’s going to be orchestrated out is still yet to be determined, but it doesn’t take long to go out in that area to realize there’s some beautiful pieces of property out there.”

Schlabaugh added that he feels discussions are going well, as they’re now starting to discuss finances and take an inventory of the property.