The Walnut City Council, Thursday, approved the adoption of a Resolution Amending the current Budget for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2020. The amendment calls for a $10,000 increase each in the General Fund and Public Safety Fund.

The Council also agreed to keep all City properties closed until their meeting in June. And, they approved a request from the Walnut Community Center Foundation to apply for an AARP Grant to upgrade the parking lot. The Council decided to cancel this year’s Walnut Antique Show, that was set to take place June 19th-through the 21st. They’ll try to hold it again June 18-20, 2021.

The governor of Iowa recently put issued new guidance with regard to opening restaurants and service businesses, but large gatherings are still restricted. The Governor is expected to revise her guidance on May 15th. Mayor Gene Larsen said the City Council had only two options to consider – Cancel the show, or defer the decision until Monday May 18th, after the new guidance is issued.

The event typically draws a large crowd of vendors and visitors from all over. Larsen said he’s not aware of any COVID-19 cases in Walnut, but if there were confirmed cases, and assuming the peak had passed, the decision would be easier to make. He said also, the show cannot be postponed. He said also the Walnut AMVETS’ recommendation was to cancel the show, due to the uncertainty associated with COVID-19. On their social media page, organizers said the chance of having COVID-19 present, is “Not worth the risk,” The event is sponsored by the Walnut AMVETS. The organization says it will contact their vendors and offer either a partial refund or a paid-up space in the 2021 show.

The Council did, however, approve certain street closures for the Optimist’s Antique City Car Show, even though the fate of the show has not yet been decided for this year.

In other business, the Council approved building permits as presented. They also approved the renewal of a Law Enforcement Services Contract with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office. Mayor Larsen said there is a 3% increase in cost over last year, but since the City cannot afford a separate police department, the agreement is well worth it.