The Dallas County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday.
At the meeting, payroll change notices were approved to move part time correctional officers to full time, leaving one spot still available.
Next was a presentation from Habitat for Humanity. Two gentlemen were in attendance to talk about their goals to reignite and generate interest in the Dallas County area. They stated that there are thousands of people in the area that can benefit from their programs and they want to help those in need. Habitat’s two programs include the home ownership program, along with the Rock the Block program that helps people stay in their homes. The introductory presentation outlined the things Habitat does and what they want to see happen here locally. 2015 goals for Dallas County include building a steering committee to get people to buy into the concept and want to help. The first two projects will take place in Perry and the other two they want to happen elsewhere in the County before the end of the year. County Attorney Wayne Reisetter said he served with the former Dallas and Guthrie County Habitat for Humanity group. He said he appreciates the effort to bring it back to Dallas County and it is a valuable asset to communities.
Next on the agenda was a resolution calling for a special election on the issuance of $16.8 million in general obligation bonds to build a new public safety building. The proposed resolution is similar to the one considered during the last bond resolution, but only addressing the law enforcement side of the project rather than that and the administrative building. This is for the design, construction, erection and equipping for the facility.
The Supervisors then approved a resolution in regards to a drainage district assessment in the amount of $46,100.
An amendment and restatement of the electronic transactions clearinghouse 28E agreement between the County and Iowa State Association of Counties was then discussed. The amendment provides more flexibility and reflects the broader activities of the entity. It also changes the entity’s name to Iowa Counties Technology Services, removes the cap on the number of members of the advisory committee, allows a fee schedule and allows the option to have Mental Health and Disability Sservices Regions and other non-county entities to be members. The Board wanted more information on the agreement and the issue will be revisited at a future meeting.
A public hearing in regards to the Conservation department’s mowers lease was then set for 9am on June 2nd. Conservation Director Mike Wallace says this is a budgeted item that comes up every four years.
Next was a public hearing in regards to a Cintas mat contract for floor mats in County buildings was held. The cost of the contract is around $3,000 per year. Facilities Director Eric Rose says the replacement cost for all of the mats would total $2,730. The County currently owns mats and they are not changed out like they would be with a service such as the one offered through Cintas, instead they need to be cleaned by County staff. Rose said he was asked by the Sheriff’s office to look at options, especially considering the chemical dispersion system that needs to be regulated at the jail. The County previously had a contract with Cintas. The contract with Cintas was then unanimously approved.
A bond issue informational campaign funding request was then discussed. Sheriff Chad Leonard has requested $20,000 to print literature and purchase ads in local media to notify the public about the upcoming special election. Supervisor Mark Hanson said he’s not sure the County has done a good job of presenting the story and sharing the case as to why this new facility is needed. He said it’s the responsibility of the County to provide the court system and sheriff’s office with the proper facilities. Hanson said the factual information needs to point out the constitutional responsibilities they have to provide facilities to the citizens of Dallas County. He worries that because of the short timeline before the August election, it might be difficult to share the story with voters. He said this is a matter of a need and not a want. Hanson encouraged the Sheriff to get all information on the deficiencies to share the facts with the people of the County. Supervisor Kim Chapman disagrees and said the County did do a good job of getting the word out before the last election. He said there will be people that vote no regardless of what they are told because they do not want their taxes raised or are against the project for another reason. After the discussion the Board approved the campaign funding request.
The Board then discussed needed plaster repairs to the 303 courtroom. Plaster on one wall of the third floor courtroom needs to be replaced due to water damage. Rose said the one bid received is from ABC Plastering and Stucco company for a cost of $1,400. The Supervisors approved the bid for the project.
The heating ventilation and air conditioning system at the 902 Court building was then discussed. Rose said offices along the north wall are often so cold in the winter that employees have been seen wearing fingerless gloves to type on their computers and the offices are hot in the summer. The Board discussed the matter and the desire to fix the issue but no action was taken on the issue.