Area residents filled the Shiloh chapel as Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh gave an update on where annexation discussions are with the Shiloh Church. Wednesday evening, Schlabaugh explained that initial dialogue began in 2016 regarding Shiloh connecting their water and sewer supply to Kalona’s municipal service. The thought process was if either entity had an emergency where services were shut down, they could fall back on one another. Conversations stalled, and then ramped up again in 2018. From there, the conversation transitioned to the city absorbing 200 acres of Shiloh’s property into city limits.

Over the last couple of weeks, a committee has been formed including representatives from the church, the city, Washington County Board of Supervisors, Washington County Public Health, Mid-Prairie School District, and YMCA of Washington County to oversee the situation. Schlabaugh made it clear that this does not mean Kalona would take control of all of Shiloh’s land and assets, “The city is not buying Shiloh, and annexation does not mean ownership. Annexation is just the process of which a voluntary group can bring land into the corporate city limits, but that doesn’t mean ownership.”

Schlabaugh added that the city would be interested in seeing some of the land go towards housing development, while exploring how some of the assets that Shiloh has would benefit Kalona residents. Shiloh’s property includes a 90,000-square foot building that houses business offices, apartments, a chapel, restrooms, and kitchens. The property also has a 150,000 gallon water tower, outdoor amphitheater, maintenance facilities, and a water treatment plant. As of right now, Schlabaugh says that discussions have not progressed to the point of negotiating what, if any, of Shiloh’s assets would be deeded over to the city. Once the briefing had concluded, committee members broke out into groups to discuss their thoughts.