[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,73,85,97,109],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":55,"_67":68,"_69":55,"_70":71,"_72":71},"mediaId",6358680,"mediaKeyId","2211894-f8cd462c67b66eecac99dcaac5eedbec","parentId",2211894,"title","Conservation board presents budget and annual report; Willow Creek work and Hawkeye Point projects highlighted","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5754910,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2211894-f8cd462c67b66eecac99dcaac5eedbec&start=5754&end=5754","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2211894-f8cd462c67b66eecac99dcaac5eedbec/thumbnail_5754910.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358680/Osceola-County/Iowa/Conservation-board-presents-budget-and-annual-report-Willow-Creek-work-and-Hawkeye-Point-projects-highlighted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358680-c6fa2bdd88fb10d8a132bc3ca560b6eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165627&Signature=e9zy8jPL9HMMBGMSYSWg-6oBa1mM6TGQq241f-NuVduRPoec0KGu2xwTfn~oe1bos~kjZ3Z-KpYb7rWHl~0GG4HS6v3lkq0o6ISH8t0x0y-loVzUUvgBWJ4rUSrP6giVA3m-RHlfJQ6IV02s~u~Hlw~tAD4cmmYM6pIQOkTbSmdyxzygioBNlTUbSs3qL061MV3UOzRUuBDEjCxy6ftNd50JJ1yroT2VN0W5uieQq-ozNAuTdz0Q12vRKkPvLrmUDMiokbwVo83~6uts8uPzHEMKObDgwG4kt7OUYrhC5FSsRCMOGxrI2k0b8qJjZF8ikNbpnXGYza722~sTLGTjRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Osceola County, Iowa","date","2025-01-31T18:09:16Z","article","The Osceola County Conservation Board presented its budget and annual report to the board of supervisors, detailing operational line items for the coming fiscal year and summarizing projects completed in the reporting period.

The presentation described one main capital project — Willow Creek — where engineering and site work required additional coordination and weather-related delays; the engineer’s work was completed and staff are focused on finishing construction of a new cabin at the site. At Hawkeye Point the old house was removed by controlled burn with utilities disconnected; the Hawkeye Point Foundation has purchased fire rings and other campground equipment for installation. At Low Farm staff planted approximately 29 acres of native prairie and wildflowers as part of habitat restoration work.

The conservation budget lists wages, part-time seasonal staff, operating supplies, utilities for new campsites and a cabin, small equipment and a shop repair allocation for a replacement or repair of a garage door and header on the shop building. The director said the county expects lower revenue from grant and one-time sale receipts that were received in the prior year (for example, a previous gravel royalty payment and ARPA revenue), and noted the REIT (state allocation via DNR/gambling dollars) and other revenue lines used to offset capital spending. The board asked questions about revenue and timing for the cabin’s opening; staff said cabin revenue is uncertain because it will be the county’s first cabin offering.

The conservation board also reviewed educational programs, volunteer and outreach activities, and routine habitat management including burning and planting. The supervisors accepted the report; budgetary amounts will be reflected in the county budget process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOS Meeting 1/28/2025 Part 1","oneSentenceSummary","The Osceola County Conservation Board presented its annual report and next-year budget, describing completion of the Willow Creek project work, Hawkeye Point campground changes, prairie plantings at Low Farm, new campsites and cabin construction, and revenue projections tied to campground and REIT funds.","taxTitle","taxId",52056,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":74,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":75,"_41":76,"_43":77,"_45":78,"_46":79,"_48":80,"_50":81,"_52":82,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":55,"_67":68,"_69":55,"_70":71,"_72":71},6358685,"County attorney urges board to consider higher salary and staffing to maintain prosecutions and collections",1770,3718370,5488530,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2211894-f8cd462c67b66eecac99dcaac5eedbec&start=3718&end=5488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2211894-f8cd462c67b66eecac99dcaac5eedbec/thumbnail_3718370.jpg","/articles/6358685/Osceola-County/Iowa/County-attorney-urges-board-to-consider-higher-salary-and-staffing-to-maintain-prosecutions-and-collections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358685-f87b778fb5819ec0d835c9958e32955a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165627&Signature=QjAZwbM1GE4h5NlbBTlqx4xl07CQAHSwjTUOcOgDkG1~hAWrQocRgr10PWj7e036BpzKnqsmr~q201zxfr4QY65ZBYFgt9v7PDizGQSXXk-s5QQJ6f8vJdywrP9XcBbL0-PsZf3bjJ23MXr3bb7thHF45Xk1eiBDE5CduU9A1uuNPeePpWNP0ZgUMmnOHLxrmnL3d2bUTs0E4Jy~jra-J0i25ufrrpYT4x7B2Kby1oMJPqQSdItGUtqKGUNn1LGOJ0L3InzR7wRkTFRwc-V2EgrjoD3Bb-l9iN-YmXFVeCGiloxh0dkw5oCH8av89Th9tjG-fVcVmeB1bx6uwqIJ6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Osceola County interim county attorney addressed the board at length about the county attorney’s office budget, staffing and strategy for collecting fines. The attorney said hiring and retaining experienced staff — including a legal assistant who has taken on large responsibilities — is critical to maintaining prosecution capacity and collecting fines that can support county operations.

The county attorney recommended the board consider increasing the salary offer for the county attorney position beyond a standard percentage raise to remain competitive with neighboring counties. The attorney cited examples in nearby counties where county attorney pay was substantially higher (examples given from adjacent counties) and said that attracting a qualified candidate could take time; Lyon County took six months in a recent search, he said. The board was reminded that the compensation set at this time will establish the salary for any candidate hired before July 1.

The attorney also urged the board to explore hiring a part-time or full-time fine collector and/or victim-witness coordinator — potentially funded in part by grants such as Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) resources — to increase fine collections and victim services. The office’s limited staff time was identified as a reason collections have declined; the attorney said a dedicated fine-collection position in a nearby county collected nearly $1 million over several years and that the county receives a portion of collected fines that can be used for law-enforcement related purposes.

The board discussed compensation-board timing, moving expenses, benefits budgeting and whether county attorney candidates or part-time arrangements must be county residents. No formal changes to compensation were adopted at this meeting; the attorney suggested the board set a salary that would be competitive in the region and consider other recruitment incentives.

The attorney also recommended reviewing the county attorney incentive fund (reported in the meeting as $1,600,845 as of June 30) to determine permissible uses for recruitment or retention, but said he would research legal constraints before proposing use of those funds for compensation.","Osceola County’s interim county attorney briefed supervisors on staffing needs, recommending consideration of a higher salary for the incoming county attorney to attract candidates and suggesting investment in a fine-collection/victim-witness role to increase recovered revenue and support prosecutions.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_46":91,"_48":92,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":55,"_67":68,"_69":55,"_70":71,"_72":71},6358687,"Supervisors review EMS budget shortfall, levy and proposed full-time director role",292,1860135,2152805,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2211894-f8cd462c67b66eecac99dcaac5eedbec&start=1860&end=2152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2211894-f8cd462c67b66eecac99dcaac5eedbec/thumbnail_1860135.jpg","/articles/6358687/Osceola-County/Iowa/Supervisors-review-EMS-budget-shortfall-levy-and-proposed-full-time-director-role","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358687-a528525460c86f32f55c43efec42e21b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165627&Signature=ms3vfUPHlula3vTwKP48i~BSB2UTVwGIDRID0m5QoVY4MUTMTOJqA8JKkVmod~LTbxZJYYhWbI3qU-~ywhWhO7KuaWykVFDJmQy6s1xYUTireZAPSkkcRPcUPXVIH5HuZwnrHTgVvSKDXoq9960fxYR33Y2Q43kWc-OmXP7~yyfOpZhVaCHrJKYPQj00ej1jhQRhgLaNlwRA80y4hYy4sHrXAnhIur7joiAnjlt5zf4f7Oxwi-ho6zUGu~nztIRIJzCgNXqyr4myuRFvcxKAiwwPUF2DMV0Drvc-M7Ae~oPWLmnSAsfQFI6dXTq1UWSqjNYppqnqOgTQiTi9YBvNFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County financial staff and EMS leadership reviewed the Osceola County Emergency Medical Services budget with supervisors, reporting a projected EMS fund budget of $293,153 for the next fiscal year and a projected EMS fund shortfall that showed the EMS fund “in the red” by $32,197 in a preliminary fund-balance calculation.

Auditor/finance staff explained that the county’s EMS payroll and benefits have increased — including a 3.5% wage increase for staff and higher on-call pay — and that a $130,000 ambulance payment is scheduled in the budget year. The staff noted the EMS payroll items (including an increase in on-call pay from about $1.72 to $2.50 per hour and a weekend on-call rate of $5) and that last year the service ran 571 calls, figures used to project costs.

The board discussed options to restore the EMS fund to a positive balance: reduce expenses, transfer funds from the county’s general fund to cover the shortfall, or consider a higher levy rate in future elections. Staff said the board routinely transfers funds annually to cover cash-flow timing and that a transfer or budget amendment could be used to balance the EMS levy fund for the fiscal year, but the board must weigh how much of general fund money to use. The board also discussed whether making the director position full time (with a proposed salary figure in the presentation of about $53,000) would reduce operational risk by stabilizing coverage, or whether alternative approaches such as hiring additional paramedics or increasing part-time/on-call staffing would be preferable.

No formal levy rate change or budget amendment was approved at the meeting; supervisors instructed staff to review levy scenarios, balance projections and possible transfers and to return with options.","County staff and board members examined Osceola County’s EMS budget, noting a projected EMS fund shortfall, higher personnel costs and the prospect of making the EMS director role full time. Options discussed included reducing expenses, transferring general-fund dollars, adjusting the levy rate and exploring alternative staffing models.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_46":103,"_48":104,"_50":105,"_52":106,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":107,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":108,"_66":55,"_67":68,"_69":55,"_70":71,"_72":71},6358689,"Veterans service officer outlines limitations on $10,000 state allocation and outreach plans",160,914090,1074590,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2211894-f8cd462c67b66eecac99dcaac5eedbec&start=914&end=1074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2211894-f8cd462c67b66eecac99dcaac5eedbec/thumbnail_914090.jpg","/articles/6358689/Osceola-County/Iowa/Veterans-service-officer-outlines-limitations-on-10000-state-allocation-and-outreach-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358689-374982cca6b4511e633a85e1a578fd27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165627&Signature=egCKryPcZDmOWYJlrhbcC-~9zYNmw~ybEVpz5WJbkSXu1hjS6oT2amU1vk9IW8nFfTTfi5EdRo-u0b7XI6EC~cX1NykemzCoGS7KCwR-Y5lxTMsmEOflcKlptskqoEXUxxZOeFsEjJXDhoc3VEYzRY4cfB7X55A8J6bu4dLO62~XEf~7rWYIyIv-ccLHEtmqxxOHv8m6i38LAFnaRomPYk8Dybc35M1X~kLdYmNNSAkIMg2MKAFmNzAjy2P0C82Lujsa62lpiTc6tixcpGpBnJXMXoTTn0dwj8HQ98mneA3xh4BOiwb0tR0qdThppuhT1X-uukBg87gZq4aukDU1pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The veterans service officer told the Osceola County Board of Supervisors that the state of Iowa provides $10,000 annually to each county veteran service office but that the allotment is restricted to expenses that directly support veterans services in an allowable manner, such as outreach and office equipment, and generally cannot be used to pay groceries or other direct emergency assistance for individual veterans.

The presenter said commissioners approved a 3.5% pay increase for staff that matches courthouse raises; otherwise the Veterans Affairs budget remains largely unchanged. The officer reported handling 17 claims last year, enrolling seven people in VA health care, and receiving eight new veteran clients over the previous year. The officer said outreach experiments such as morning “veterans coffee” had limited success and noted the newsletter and other promotional work have produced positive response.

The officer asked for guidance about allowable uses of the state allocation and said they will explore events and partnerships — including working with local American Legion posts and regional veteran organizations — to increase engagement. The officer noted small-county constraints: promotional spending can be hard to spend fully and must be used in ways that tangibly support veterans; county funds must be used for direct emergency assistance when needed.

Board members asked whether the allocation could cover training, events, or membership costs; the officer said the state rule generally disallows using the $10,000 for training unless it directly helps veterans and reiterated that purchases must be justified as veteran services.

The officer left copies of the newsletter and offered to work with the board on outreach ideas.","The county’s veterans service officer reviewed the Veterans Affairs budget, explained state rules restricting the annual $10,000 allocation to promotional and office expenses (not direct emergency assistance), and described outreach efforts to bring more veterans into the office.",{"_33":110,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":111,"_41":112,"_43":113,"_45":114,"_46":115,"_48":116,"_50":117,"_52":118,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":119,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":120,"_66":55,"_67":68,"_69":55,"_70":71,"_72":71},6358691,"Osceola County supervisors approve agenda changes, appoint deputies, OK gravel-extraction agreement and claims",7147,260030,7407849,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2211894-f8cd462c67b66eecac99dcaac5eedbec&start=260&end=7407","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2211894-f8cd462c67b66eecac99dcaac5eedbec/thumbnail_260030.jpg","/articles/6358691/Osceola-County/Iowa/Osceola-County-supervisors-approve-agenda-changes-appoint-deputies-OK-gravel-extraction-agreement-and-claims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358691-922464583a2b0ddf553d5ac573a85076/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165627&Signature=TH1C1BTORgmTOmKV5in1h~xMsdjREpY82pdS5voY--40~F2~~oqefmqRpV7UahkcMxNuzkILTqDXVemjdBfP40hRkbsc6jXDEvPahwA0FsJb9r7mfmqgnjess8eXDlG7sgUihDES6y-kxVYwjH632sG0ROD8lds0YNLfCoW8ax0IMqGquunTrEtXo~dXSNsNMQ11thOG9mlP3Cl9NonByYmBsBpA~m-2ms-ptAzsbYiTX6hSg~PBNQrEwYd-gq3saZUK2WGYb8VUGg871e2y3dYtInca3tpJZ~FBRzyOREqaKIgDmgJY1Kf9zX4RHfxTp-BCvFh3YjgZSy5jGkT9TQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Osceola County Board of Supervisors on an early voice vote approved changes to the meeting agenda, passed Resolution 25 appointing a chief deputy and deputies for the county sheriff, accepted a gravel extraction (pit mining) agreement and approved the listed claims, including check number 1239 to Bosman Water Service (listed in the packet with an alternate spelling). Later the board voted to enter a closed session under Iowa Code 21.5 for a requested personnel/engineer discussion.

The board approved the agenda after removing the engineer contract and engineer department review; the motion to adopt the amended agenda was made by Mister Helmers and seconded by Mister Loring and carried on a voice vote. The board then approved minutes from Jan. 21 by motion of Mister DeBoer (second by Scholte).

On Resolution 25, which the clerk presented as appointing a chief deputy and deputies for the county sheriff and county auditor, Mister Helmers moved for approval and Mister Scholte seconded; the chair called roll and recorded aye votes from Helmers, Scholte, Loring, Mister Gore and the chair, and the resolution passed. The board accepted the county’s gravel-extraction (line and pit mining) agreement by motion of Scholte with board support and recorded the motion as approved on a voice vote.

The claims docket included check number 1239 for Bosman Water Service (the packet and minutes display a second spelling as “Boswell Water Service” in places; the board approved the claims by motion of Helmers with support from Loring). At the end of the public meeting the board took a motion from Scholte, seconded by Helmers, to enter closed session under Iowa Code 21.5; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Votes at a glance
• Approval of amended agenda — Motion: Helmers; Second: Loring; Outcome: approved (voice vote).
• Approval of Jan. 21 minutes — Motion: DeBoer; Second: Scholte; Outcome: approved (voice vote).
• Resolution 25 (appoint chief deputy and deputies for sheriff/auditor) — Motion: Helmers; Second: Scholte; Outcome: approved (ayes recorded: Helmers, Scholte, Loring, Gore, chair).
• Gravel extraction (pit mining) agreement — Motion: Scholte; Second: board support; Outcome: approved (voice vote).
• Claims docket including check #1239 to Bosman/Boswell Water Service — Motion: Helmers; Second: Loring; Outcome: approved (voice vote).
• Motion to enter closed session under Iowa Code 21.5 — Motion: Scholte; Second: Helmers; Outcome: approved (voice vote).

The board did not take additional formal actions on the items that were removed from the agenda; the chair noted the engineer contract would be considered at a later date. The closed-session request was made during the meeting and approved by motion; details of the closed session were not disclosed in the public record.","The Osceola County Board of Supervisors approved the amended meeting agenda, passed Resolution 25 appointing sheriff deputies, accepted a gravel-extraction agreement and approved claims including a payment to a water service provider. A motion sent the board into closed session later in the meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conservation board presents budget and annual report; Willow Creek work and Hawkeye Point projects highlighted

County attorney urges board to consider higher salary and staffing to maintain prosecutions and collections

Supervisors review EMS budget shortfall, levy and proposed full-time director role

Veterans service officer outlines limitations on $10,000 state allocation and outreach plans

Osceola County supervisors approve agenda changes, appoint deputies, OK gravel-extraction agreement and claims