Four individuals—incumbent Preston Landt and newcomers Billie Jones, Joshua Ludwig and Jamie L. Welsh—are running for two, four-year terms on the Monona City Council in the Nov. 4 city/school election. Another person, William “Bill” Benda, is on the ballot to fill a council vacancy for an unexpired term. Tim Wright is not seeking re-election and Kevin Brainard Sr., who was appointed to the council over the summer after John Elledge resigned, is running for mayor. Brainard’s current seat (and Elledge’s former seat) on the council, which expires at the end of 2027, is what Benda is seeking to fill. The candidates recently shared their thoughts about key issues with Times-Register editor Audrey Posten. Visit elections.claytoncountyia.gov/ for more information on candidates and when and where to vote.

William “Bill” Benda and his wife Denise have two grown children, Alex and Courtney. Benda is retired and, for 36 years, owned his own business, Benda Concrete, which is still in operation. He also worked for the city of Monona for 34 years. 

Q: What motivated you to run for council and what are your primary goals if elected?

A: Working for the city for 34 years, I have an idea on when and how things should be done and how things should be done (time wise).

Q: What do you view as the most pressing issue(s) facing Monona?

A: The biggest is getting more business to town, more tax base and housing.

Q: Like many small towns, Monona faces budget pressures. What are your priorities for the city budget?

A: You have to keep water, sewer, streets and waste going or you run into problems with other people like the DNR, EPA, etc.

Q: Many local services/activities are run or advised by volunteers. How will you support those groups and their efforts?

A: Over the years, I have donated money or labor to some of these groups and hope to still do. And hope the city budget can too.

Q: What is your vision for economic development in Monona, and how do you think the city should support that?

A: If someone comes up with a good idea, listen to them. If good, try to help, depending on budget.

Billie Jones lives in Monona with her son, who is a senior at MFL MarMac. She is an MFL MarMac alum, having graduated in 2000. Jones is the EMS Operations Lead and Critical Care Paramedic at MercyOne Elkader Medical Center, where she has developed skills in teamwork, communication, leadership and education that she believes will serve the city well. 

“Being a resident for the past 18 years has given me a good understanding of Monona’s needs and opportunities. I’m running for city council because I care deeply about our community’s future and want to help ensure Monona remains a vibrant, welcoming place to live and work,” Jones said. 

Q: What motivated you to run for council and what are your primary goals if elected? 

A: I decided to run for council because I care deeply about ensuring our community continues to be a safe, welcoming and thriving place for families and businesses. Over the past several years, I’ve seen both the challenges and opportunities we face. Whether it’s aging infrastructure or the need for stronger community engagement, I want to bring a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to council that puts residents first. I want to help ensure we don’t just respond to problems but proactively build a stronger, more sustainable Monona for the next generation. 

If elected, my top priorities will be to improve local infrastructure, support small businesses to grow our economy and increase transparency by making council decisions more accessible to the public. Most importantly, I want to listen to residents and make sure their voices drive the future of our community. My motivation is simple: I want Monona to be a place where families thrive, businesses grow and neighbors trust that their city government is working in their best interests.

Q: What do you view as the most pressing issue(s) facing Monona?

 A: The most pressing issues facing Monona right now center on economic stability, infrastructure, public trust and resiliency. 

First, the closure of a major local employer (CVG, formerly Monona Wire Corp.) has left gaps in our economy and limited job opportunities, which makes workforce development and attracting new businesses a top priority. 

Like many small Iowa cities, Monona is also dealing with aging infrastructure, from streets and sidewalks to water and wastewater systems, while managing limited budgets. At the same time, our population is gradually aging and shrinking, which affects schools, housing demand and local workforce.

Public safety and community trust have also surfaced as important issues, particularly around transparency in how the city government manages communication with law enforcement. Finally, Monona faces ongoing fiscal challenges where voters are asked to make tough choices about tax levels versus maintaining services and infrastructure. 

In short, Monona’s challenges are interconnected. We need to support economic recovery, invest in infrastructure, attract and retain families and workers, strengthen public trust and manage finances responsibly. Addressing these together will put the city on a stronger path forward. 

Q: Like many small towns, Monona faces budget pressures. What are your priorities for the city budget?

A: Like many small towns, Monona has to make tough choices with limited resources. Our focus should be on protecting essential services, i.e. public safety, infrastructure maintenance and core community programs that residents rely on. At the same time, I believe we can take a smart long-term approach by investing in cost saving measures like energy efficiency and preventive infrastructure work, which save taxpayers money down the road. 

I also want to focus on growing our tax base by supporting small businesses and thoughtful economic development, so we’re not relying solely on raising property taxes. Finally, I’d like to make the budge process more transparent, giving residents a clear voice in setting our priorities and ensuing that every dollar is spent wisely. 

Q: Many local services/activities are run or advised by volunteers. How will you support those groups and their efforts?

A: Monona is fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to keep services and activities running. Whether it’s planning and zoning, the pool, Butterfly Gardens or emergency services, these groups are the backbone of our community. Without them, many things that make Monona special simply wouldn’t exist. 

As a council member, I would work to support them in three ways. First, by recognizing and celebrating their contributions so they know their work is appreciated. Second, by making sure they have the resources, training and small budget support they need to succeed. And third, by improving communication between council and volunteer groups, so their perspectives help guide city decisions. I’d also like to help strengthen volunteer recruitment, especially encouraging youth and families to get involved, so these programs continue for years to come. Supporting our volunteers means supporting the heart of Monona. 

Q: What is your vision for economic development in Monona, and how do you think the city should support that?

A: My vision for economic development in Monona is to build a strong, sustainable economy that supports local businesses, attracts new opportunities and ensures families can thrive here for generations. I believe economic growth starts with creating the right foundations. Reliable infrastructure, modern internet and a business-friendly process that makes it easy for entrepreneurs to start and grow. 

The city should play a supportive role by working closely with groups like MCED, highlighting Monona’s strengths and investing in quality-of-life improvements that make people want to live and work here. I’d like to see us focus on supporting small businesses, encouraging new ideas from young entrepreneurs and making smart long-term decisions that grow our tax base while preserving Monona’s character as a welcoming, close-knit community.

Preston Landt has lived in Monona since 2011 with wife Sophie and their daughter Layla, who is currently a junior. Landt is originally from Luana and grew up in the MFL School District, so this community has always been home. After graduating, Landt spent some time away, living in Iowa City, Centennial, Colo., and Marion, before moving back to Monona. “Coming back felt natural because this community has always been such a big part of who we are,” Landt said.

Landt spent 25 years with Best Buy and the Geek Squad, where he managed all of the Geek Squad agents across Iowa and Colorado and gained extensive experience in leadership, technology and customer service. He now works in workforce and demand planning for Optum / United Healthcare, focusing on forecasting, staffing and data-driven decision-making.

Since moving back to Monona, Landt has been active in public service through both the MFL Ambulance Service, where he serves as crew chief, and the Monona Fire Department. He has held a seat on the Monona City Council since 2018, where he remains committed to helping Monona grow as a safe, strong and connected community.

Q: What motivated you to run for council and what are your primary goals if elected? 

A: My original reason for running for city council was simply that I wanted to be involved in the city I grew up in and to use my experience to help Monona continue moving in the right direction. I feel I have a well-rounded knowledge base that allows me to contribute in many ways, and over the years I’ve developed a strong understanding of how the city operates. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and the many positive things that have been accomplished for the community during my time on the council.

Looking ahead, my goals for the upcoming term are to continue improving city infrastructure—including streets, sewer systems and recreation areas—while also placing a strong focus on housing. That means not only bringing in new housing opportunities but also supporting efforts to improve the value and appearance of our existing homes.

Q: What do you view as the most pressing issue(s) facing Monona?

A: I think the biggest pressing issue facing Monona is making sure we have enough housing available to meet the needs of our community. We want to ensure the people who already live here have the opportunity to stay here as their needs change, while also welcoming new residents who want to move into our community and take advantage of everything Monona has to offer—our great school system, reliable internet, strong sense of safety and friendly neighborhoods.

Having a healthy mix of available and well-maintained housing is key to keeping Monona vibrant and growing. It supports our local economy, helps attract families and ensures the long-term stability of our community. 

Q: Like many small towns, Monona faces budget pressures. What are your priorities for the city budget?

A: I think the city budget is probably the part of local government that residents know the least about. There are always things that could be fixed or upgraded each year, but we have to work within the limits of the taxes that are collected. That’s why it’s so important to stay focused on two key areas.

First, we need to continue growing our tax base by encouraging new housing and business development. A larger, more diverse tax base helps relieve pressure on existing taxpayers while giving us more flexibility to make needed improvements. Second, we need to maintain a clear financial forecast—knowing how much money needs to be available at any given time—so we can make smart decisions about when and how to invest in our community through upgrades, repairs and local incentives. 

Q: Many local services/activities are run or advised by volunteers. How will you support those groups and their efforts?

A: Volunteers truly are the backbone of Monona. Whether it’s fire and ambulance services, youth groups, local boards or community events, so much of what makes this town great depends on people who give their time to make things happen.

I’ve been involved in both the fire department and the MFL Ambulance Service, as I mentioned earlier, and I currently serve on the Monona City Cemetery Board, the MFL Ambulance Board, the Clayton County 911 Services Board and the Clayton County EMS Association Board. I’m also a member of the Monona Men’s Club. Through all of these experiences, I’ve seen firsthand how dedicated our volunteers are and how much they contribute to the quality of life in Monona.

My goal is to continue supporting these groups by keeping open communication, making sure they have the resources they need and recognizing the vital role they play in our community’s success. 

Q: What is your vision for economic development in Monona, and how do you think the city should support that?

A: I’ve mentioned community growth in earlier answers, but I think the key to economic development in Monona is building on what we already have and promoting what makes our community special. We have a lot to offer—from reliable infrastructure and strong internet to a safe environment, great schools and a low cost of living.

I think we can do a better job of sharing those strengths to attract both new residents and new businesses. For example, our dependable internet makes Monona a great option for people who work remotely, but it’s just one piece of a much bigger picture. By highlighting our quality of life and investing in steady growth, we can continue to strengthen the local economy and ensure Monona remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Joshua Ludwig is a husband and father of three boys, aged 13, 11 and 9. He currently work remotely for Walgreens corporate. Ludwig grew up in Dubuque County, but spent 15 years living in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Q: What motivated you to run for council and what are your primary goals if elected?

A: I hope to learn more about Monona and serve to the best of my ability. My primary goal is to learn and represent the wants and needs of the people.

Q: What do you view as the most pressing issue(s) facing Monona?

A: My primary concern is the quality of the town’s water, as I have heard from several workers that our water seems to be lower than the standards of the surrounding towns. I would also like to look into ways to revitalize the city, especially the downtown area.

Q: Like many small towns, Monona faces budget pressures. What are your priorities for the city budget?

A: My priority for the budget is to understand the needs of the city, bring feedback to the council and bring transparency to the citizens if certain requests do not fit in the city’s budget.

Q: Many local services/activities are run or advised by volunteers. How will you support those groups and their efforts?

A: Currently, I am serving Monona Hay Days as the president of the committee. I am also training to be an EMT with the Monona EMS. My goal is to serve my community as much as possible, as I believe small towns like Monona will truly thrive if we all come together to support each other and our city.

Q: What is your vision for economic development in Monona, and how do you think the city should support that?

A: Ideally I would like to bring businesses to Monona. I think this starts with bringing more residents to the city, as residents support the businesses, and if the consumer base is here, more businesses will move to our city.

Jamie Welsh has lived in Monona for 25-plus years. He has been married to Sarah Welsh (Sawvell) for 20 years, and they have two boys, Brady, who is a senior, and Sullivan, who is in sixth grade. Welsh works for Smitty’s Oil and Tire, and has been employed there for nine years. He has been a fireman for the Monona Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years, along with being a driver for the MFL Ambulance Service. 

Q: What motivated you to run for council and what are your primary goals if elected?

A: I had a few people contact me with the open positions, and with working for a small business in Monona, along with being a part of the fire/EMS services, I’ve gotten to know so many people in our community along with surrounding communities and thought I’d take a chance and see if I could bring to the table.  

Q: What do you view as the most pressing issue(s) facing Monona?

A: Keeping businesses open and bringing new business to our community. I also would like to see our community grow with new families to help our school district thrive. 

Q: Like many small towns, Monona faces budget pressures. What are your priorities for the city budget?

A: I’m new to this, so I’m sure there is a learning curve to what the city’s needs and wants are along with the city’s budget. 

Q: Many local services/activities are run or advised by volunteers. How will you support those groups and their efforts?

A: With my background in the emergency services here in Monona, I’m always willing to help out where needed. 

Q: What is your vision for economic development in Monona, and how do you think the city should support that?

A: If elected, I would like to go into the meetings open minded and learn a little more about what our city needs to grow economically.