Belle Plaine Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
James
Evans
James Evans, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Belle Plaine in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Dale Loudermilk.
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The race · Mayor
- 01James EvansYou’re reading
- 02Dale Loudermilk
Background
- About
- James Evans owns the James Evans Farmers Insurance Agency in downtown Belle Plaine. He was elected to the City Council in November 2022 and stepped into the mayor's position in February 2026 after Ryan Ladd's resignation.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Nonpartisan
The council appointed James Evans as mayor on Feb. 20, 2026 and declared a vacancy in his council seat. City of Belle Plaine · Feb 20, 2026
On the record: James Evans
14 sourced01Public Safety Facility1 sourced position
Voted to award the $3,463,827.22 Public Safety Facility Renovation and Expansion bid to KUE Contractors (passed 4-1, Aug. 2026).
Council voteCity of Belle Plaine · Aug 17, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02City budget and levy5 sourced positions
Voted to adopt the preliminary 2027 tax levy, preliminary budget and 5-year capital plan (passed 4-1, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Belle Plaine · Sep 21, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted for a motion to deny the final 2026 tax levy, 2026 budget and capital improvement plan (motion carried 3-1, Dec. 1, 2025).
Council voteCity of Belle Plaine · Dec 1, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Moved to reconsider and approve the final 2026 tax levy, 2026 budget and capital improvement plan, with further work on budget cuts in January (passed 3-2, Dec. 15, 2025).
Council voteCity of Belle Plaine · Dec 15, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted to approve city employee wages and salaries for 2026 (passed 3-2, Dec. 2025).
Council voteCity of Belle Plaine · Dec 15, 2025Link
Says that if elected he will keep focusing on lower taxes and fiscal responsibility.
If elected, I will continue to focus on lower taxes and being fiscal responsible, transparent leadership, and thoughtful decision-making while listening to residents”
Own statementHenderson Independent · Aug 13, 2026Link
03Street projects2 sourced positions
Voted to order the 2027 Improvement Project and direct the city engineer to prepare final plans and specifications (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Belle Plaine · Sep 21, 2026LinkHow the council voted
as reported by the Henderson Independent
Voted against approving the Wm. Mueller & Sons bids for the 2026 street projects (passed 3-2, April 2026).
Council voteHenderson Independent · Apr 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Growth and development1 sourced position
Moved and voted to approve the final plat for Valley Business Park Fourth, which combines four city-owned parcels (passed 4-0, April 2026).
Council voteCity of Belle Plaine · Apr 20, 2026Link
05Police and fire drone1 sourced position
Voted to authorize buying a drone for the police and fire departments (passed 4-1, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Belle Plaine · Sep 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Parks spending3 sourced positions
Voted against using Parks Commission funds for dugouts at Meadow Park (passed 4-1, Jan. 2026).
Council voteCity of Belle Plaine · Jan 20, 2026Link
Voted to advertising for bids for the Prairie Park Shelter Renovation (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Belle Plaine · Jul 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
as reported by the Henderson Independent; not a direct quote
Said Prairie Park needs running water and that there were "more important things" there than a new parking lot.
Own statementHenderson Independent · Apr 9, 2026Link
07Transparency and city government1 sourced position
Says he started a Mayor's Corner and restarted the Message from the Mayor in the city's monthly newsletter.
When I became mayor, I introduced the Mayor’s Corner, where I sit down with a council member or city staff member to discuss current projects, important issues, and other topics affecting our community.”
Own statementHenderson Independent · Aug 13, 2026Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
James Evans: their words and their votes on the same issue
City budget and levy
In their words
Says that if elected he will keep focusing on lower taxes and fiscal responsibility.
Aug 13, 2026 ·Henderson Independent · Aug 13, 2026
On the record
Voted for a motion to deny the final 2026 tax levy, 2026 budget and capital improvement plan (motion carried 3-1, Dec. 1, 2025).
Dec 1, 2025 ·City of Belle Plaine · Dec 1, 2025
Moved to reconsider and approve the final 2026 tax levy, 2026 budget and capital improvement plan, with further work on budget cuts in January (passed 3-2, Dec. 15, 2025).
Dec 15, 2025 ·City of Belle Plaine · Dec 15, 2025
Voted to approve city employee wages and salaries for 2026 (passed 3-2, Dec. 2025).
Dec 15, 2025 ·City of Belle Plaine · Dec 15, 2025
Voted to adopt the preliminary 2027 tax levy, preliminary budget and 5-year capital plan (passed 4-1, Sept. 2026).
Sep 21, 2026 ·City of Belle Plaine · Sep 21, 2026
Parks spending
In their words
Said Prairie Park needs running water and that there were "more important things" there than a new parking lot.
Apr 9, 2026 ·as reported by the Henderson Independent; not a direct quote ·Henderson Independent · Apr 9, 2026
On the record
Voted against using Parks Commission funds for dugouts at Meadow Park (passed 4-1, Jan. 2026).
Jan 20, 2026 ·City of Belle Plaine · Jan 20, 2026
Voted to advertising for bids for the Prairie Park Shelter Renovation (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Jul 20, 2026 ·City of Belle Plaine · Jul 20, 2026
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