Take Action!
Community members can help by demanding that the City of West Liberty immediately stop stalling and negotiate a fair and updated 28-E agreement that creates a joint agency to oversee fire and EMS services. ​Public pressure is the only way to hold the City accountable for its actions and ensure resources are managed fairly.
Make a Call
Call the city office and City Council members to advocate for the updated 28-E agreement. Be direct, direct, emphasize urgency, and ask for fairness and transparency.
City of WL Administrative Offices:
319-627-2418
Send Emails
Use THESE TEMPLATES to email the City Manager, Mayor, and Council Members. Make it your own by adding notes about your personal experiences or support for the volunteer Fire Department and/or services in the rural townships.
Attend Council Meetings
Attendees not listed on the agenda may address the City Council during the "Public Comments" portion of the meeting. City Council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm at 1204 N. Calhoun Street.
Who to Contact
City of WL Leaders
City Manger: Lee Geertz - lgeertz@cityofwestlibertyia.org
Mayor: Mark Smith - mayorsmith@cityofwestlibertyia.org
Mayor Pro Tem: Cara McFerren, cmcferren@cityofwestlibertyia.org
City Council Representatives:
Josh Shiltz, jshiltz@cityofwestlibertyia.org
Dana Dominguez, ddominguez@cityofwestlibertyia.org
Omar Martinez, omartinez@cityofwestlibertyia.org
Tim Parizek, tparizek@cityofwestlibertyia.org
Council Meetings
What To Expect
The City Council meetings are held every First and Third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. The City Council Agenda’s are posted 24 hours prior to the Council Meetings at City Hall and Council Chamber entrances and will state the location of each meeting. For questions regarding the agenda, please contact City Clerk Shari Hoffert at 319-627-2418 or at shoffert@cityofwestlibertyia.org.
Attendees not listed on the agenda may address the City Council during the "Public Comments" portion of the meeting. You get 2 minutes to speak in front of City leaders. Council cannot take action on items during Public Comment but it's a valuable chance to speak up and demand accountability.
Example #1
If you're not sure what to say...
Subject: Urgent Request for Fair and Transparent 28-E Agreement Update
Dear [City Council Member/Mayor/Manager],
I am writing as a concerned community member of West Liberty about the ongoing delays with the 28-E agreement for emergency services between the West Liberty Fire Department and the Rural Trustees.
The current situation leaves our community at risk, and the lack of progress is troubling. It is essential that the city and rural areas reach a fair and transparent updated 28-E agreement as soon as possible. We need a collaborative solution that ensures the safety and security of everyone, and the the City's pace only serves to deepen the divide and delay much-needed action.
I urge you to work with all involved parties to prioritize this issue and move forward with a solution that benefits both city residents and those in the rural areas, and formalizing the joint agency partnership that has served our community well in the past.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I look forward to seeing progress on this front and hope the city will take swift, transparent action.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address or Neighborhood]
[Your Contact Information]
Example #2
If you're not sure what to say...
Subject: Immediate Action Needed on 28-E Agreement for Emergency Services
Dear [City Council Member/Mayor/City Administrator's Name],
I am writing as a deeply concerned member of the West Liberty community regarding the unacceptable delays in finalizing the updated 28-E agreement for emergency services. This agreement is long overdue, and the constant stalling is putting both city and rural residents at risk.
The West Liberty Volunteer Fire Department and EMS services are doing an outstanding job, but they cannot continue to operate effectively under the current circumstances. These volunteers are the backbone of our community’s safety, and it’s shameful that their efforts are being hindered by a lack of decisive action from city officials. We need a fair and transparent 28-E agreement that supports the needs of the entire community—no more delays, no more excuses.
The people of West Liberty and the surrounding rural areas deserve better. I’m calling on you to make this a priority and stop stalling. It’s time to come to the table to finalize a Joint Agency and do what is right for the safety of everyone involved. If action is not taken swiftly, I—and many others in the community—will continue to hold city leadership accountable.
Please take immediate steps to finalize this agreement and show the community that our safety matters to you.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address or Neighborhood]
[Your Contact Information]
Example #3
If you're not sure what to say...
Subject: Urgent Need for Updated 28-E Agreement
Dear [City Council Member/Mayor/City Administrator's Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a concerned community member. I’m writing to express my frustration with the ongoing delays surrounding the updated 28-E agreement for emergency services between the West Liberty Fire Department and the Rural Trustees.
This issue is critical for the safety of our community. I urge you to stop stalling and ensure a fair and transparent updated 28-E agreement that benefits both the city and rural areas.
Please prioritize this matter and work with all parties involved to resolve this as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address or Neighborhood]
[Your Contact Information]