[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6321590,"mediaKeyId","2349730-919def7b1b4b1441a888cfe9288c216c","parentId",2349730,"title","Supervisors begin FY26 budget work session; Soil Conservation asks for $10,000 and staff outline options to close gap","audioSeconds",418,"startMs",3096000,"endMs",3514000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2349730-919def7b1b4b1441a888cfe9288c216c&start=3096&end=3514","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2349730-919def7b1b4b1441a888cfe9288c216c/thumbnail_3096000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6321590/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Supervisors-begin-FY26-budget-work-session-Soil-Conservation-asks-for-10000-and-staff-outline-options-to-close-gap","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321590-47972d994d18b53f9d9a4c1e8fe7dcf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221117&Signature=QqEI-w9OBXMOBIhtrtKGacld3~s04xjIGHDJ-bjxKw9-mQWGTCaMT8FmalUik784pcpoNLU3yWhcg9adb0CQPFWHC9wJAU8pIKVLndBXeGfTjBf--k0-74A1RF3SOgcBbOIPpJYyq4-VWAS3Gn6WbtffudJpNC4USzfO8b0yO-zW~lt5LagFtIQWN2bPzoJEFdQcTSC0MQva4f8ZKONXl6dDJV0FnxBTpcUVtJPqlZtdvk8WttSY~Yf1QXq2kA8UTMyk~dG0yVTT~HtUSq2rec0ApiOjEaiXMvk4dxzNB3Kc7w3Oz~D7dEzIQJKDxUbVgeAJxKDvhInb1nNory-e9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Black Hawk County Iowa","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Board of Supervisors spent a large portion of its Feb. 18 meeting in a budget work session on the FY26 draft county budget, hearing a $10,000 request from the Black Hawk County Soil Conservation District and reviewing staff proposals to narrow a shortfall.

Terry Thornsberry and Vern Fish, representing the Soil Conservation District, asked supervisors to increase annual support to $10,000. Thornsberry said the district leverages small local funding to secure matching federal and institutional funding for practices including cover crops, a rain-barrel demonstration and internship programs tied to Hawkeye Community College and Upper Iowa. \"One of the beauties of what we do is, you give us a nickel, we'll rub it together and we'll come up with a dollar,\" he said. The district said it logged nearly $966,000 (speaker attribution noted) in conservation-practice value in a recent year and emphasized continuing partnerships and outreach.

Auditor and budget staff presented a draft showing a general-fund gap; the administrator said a draft gap figure stood at about $463,325. The board discussed multiple levers to reduce the gap: shifting a portion of patrol deputy costs to the rural levy, adjusting transfers to the secondary roads fund, rethinking library funding levels, using reserve dollars for one-time items, and trimming professional-fee and training budgets in departments.

Sheriff's office staff outlined roughly $100,000 in potential operating savings through modest cuts and timing changes (training reductions, fewer vehicle replacements this year, equipment reclassification to capital items), and said some of those savings could be achieved by delaying vehicle purchases and converting certain operating items to capital funding. The sheriff's presentation also noted that planned rotations and accidents affected vehicle-replacement timing.

Supervisors discussed courthouse security and staffing options. Currently the county uses an outsourced security contractor to staff the courthouse entrance; the board discussed adding a third armed position or alternatives such as hiring county deputies, using civilian detention officers trained to carry, recruiting retirees, or offering overtime opportunities for off-duty deputies. Board members asked staff to return with cost scenarios: the county's outsourced security contract and a Pinecrest facility security line item were discussed (county staff referenced an approximate $47,000 annual cost for Pinecrest security). The sheriff said he lacked staffing immediately to provide a full security detachment but said civilian detention officers with firearms training could be an option.

County staff also briefed the board on attorney-office space options. A properties scan included the annex/library building across the street and the Walsh building; staff noted square footage needs of roughly 3,300 square feet for a fully staffed county-attorney office and provided a rough cost estimate for renovating the annex/library if the county pursued a move. The board asked for a follow-up walkthrough and a deeper third-party review before any property purchase or lease decision.

Other items discussed: township trustees' meeting pay (a board option to raise the per-meeting rate from $10 to $20 was already reflected in planning figures), community-funding scenarios (the board asked staff to model 6%, 7.6% and 10% scenarios for library funding), and the effects of House File 17/18 (state-level changes that will reduce county revenues in coming years). Budget staff reported a recent improvement from grant and interest revenue but cautioned that CD rates and ARPA drawdown will reduce near-term interest earnings.

Why it matters: supervisors must balance statutory levy limits, budget reserves and service levels. The work session began the process of narrowing the gap and prioritizing projects and staffing in advance of required state filings in early March.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors Meeting - 02-18-25","oneSentenceSummary","At a Feb. 18 work session, supervisors heard a $10,000 request from the Soil Conservation District, received savings proposals from the sheriff and facilities, discussed library funding and trustee pay, and reviewed security staffing and attorney-office space options as part of budget planning.","taxTitle","Black Hawk County, Iowa","taxId",3693,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6321595,"Public Health reports avian flu guidance, launches adult vaccine access and seeks overdose-prevention partners",164,955000,1119000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2349730-919def7b1b4b1441a888cfe9288c216c&start=955&end=1119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2349730-919def7b1b4b1441a888cfe9288c216c/thumbnail_955000.jpg","/articles/6321595/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Public-Health-reports-avian-flu-guidance-launches-adult-vaccine-access-and-seeks-overdose-prevention-partners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321595-c695cec0c34fca5e30adfda1a0252fd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221117&Signature=XJDrSEFOjfzRvuYjZ2PrAZsuvvuEwOrZF00RhKTiLGpJvt~x8SSOSFUe8~fr-n2XaTyUf~BFbcBX6ETZcp1kGGgO76kxa0PKmiJkdX-J~anD110-5YgkJCKYMK3qJPV2KStOpTPHm8Hi88HR2eB8CKjO43K20nhjsibctgU~lpu-ZViExYdk6sBm2NJZWj1ySxLeae~EnPXR47MBH5huD1J5Egn0C-J4jmg~5QuHg7fXDJWgcyAogvSP9njhJ11BwjvPjGaVOJaUEQ1DNDPhQOtufHW3XhL1RAEWJwO1zD1nljgt4BrKLEBEEzIt7Z4R~mnEJ~MK6THRmLgUdDo4ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Caitlin Emmerich, public health director, briefed the Board of Supervisors on public-health work during the Feb. 18 meeting, focusing on animal-borne influenza guidance, newly available adult vaccine services, overdose-prevention planning and local child-health efforts.

From communicable-disease surveillance, Emmerich said the state reported renewed avian influenza updates and cautioned that migratory-bird activity could increase risks again in spring. She reminded the public not to handle dead birds and said the department will provide guidance as needed.

The health department has launched a new vaccines-for-adults campaign, supported by the state of Iowa, to provide vaccines to uninsured and underinsured adults age 19 and older. Emmerich said eligibility details and a list of covered vaccines are posted at bhtpublichealth.org.

Emmerich also said the department is implementing an overdose-prevention \"data to action\" grant and is seeking two leadership partners to serve as champions for a public-health/public-safety partnership: one representing health and one representing public safety. She asked supervisors and partners to forward nominations to the disease-surveillance manager.

On community health, Emmerich reported strong participation in a community-health-improvement meeting that included 73 partners, and she said the department's First 5 peer-coordination program scored well on a recent HHS audit. The department reached roughly 50% of newly Medicaid-eligible families this month through a child-health outreach program, above the state average.

The director also noted ongoing radon outreach and that kits remain available from the health department for $12. She said the department is tracking federal funding prospects but had received no new pass-through notices affecting county programs as of the meeting.","Black Hawk County Public Health updated supervisors on avian influenza guidance, an adult vaccines program for uninsured adults, an overdose-prevention grant seeking two champions, and outreach and audit results for child and community health programs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6321600,"County rolls out roadside prairie, living snow-fence pilot and seeks grant support for wood chipper",884,1608000,2492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2349730-919def7b1b4b1441a888cfe9288c216c&start=1608&end=2492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2349730-919def7b1b4b1441a888cfe9288c216c/thumbnail_1608000.jpg","/articles/6321600/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/County-rolls-out-roadside-prairie-living-snow-fence-pilot-and-seeks-grant-support-for-wood-chipper","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321600-ff0f21c9076684f6b702943a5163ab10/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221117&Signature=Q3nJIHDX3AWFzYqsOtgEDsYR~1~fUi49laV8iWU2UmlqL8MdOvVK7jUV2X6foLniFuZncXLVwAnoS8wC~CZn7YC00LibnTfdFKv1f0RKi6Dx~vnH7YuTvjA9VC2yg5geMs2krxrvAzk78c-RbklcFRpBtfCCQ95nELvyHIaX9ADIZqlaUCTb6j9KIhWUrnWH2qyoIzsfx92NR4MaUQ2o3KTnnbARjUX~F283~hibOxkJ4AIXODdd-bZsA38GHp-8QDuiUTQNjGoGlzGx9nxs7muWhwRqWg1qaeRHxnoFi7Av4qJ55k4ATQyGe6T34sROEmVQBTjyzZPvc4hXqWDMiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Black Hawk County Board on Feb. 18 approved a package of programs the secondary-roads and integrated roadside vegetation management (IRVM) teams say will expand roadside habitat, reduce snow drifting and refresh equipment.

County engineer and IRVM staff told supervisors the roadside prairie pilot has enrolled roughly eight or nine landowners covering about 2.5 acres to date; the board approved a $50 initial permit fee that covers two signs and posts and $25 for each additional sign. The county will spray, till and seed roadside prairie plots for landowners who lack equipment, and landowners will be expected to mow and follow an establishment plan that may include prescribed burning in year four or five.

The board also approved a living snow-fence pilot program aimed at problem corridors, naming Independence-to-Holgate and Osage Road as early targets. The pilot pays participating farmers the Sept. 1 market price plus $1 per acre as a small incentive to leave rows of standing corn (the program suggested six to 16 rows, with 6 being common) and the county budgeted an initial $5,000 as a start-up line item. County staff said the program can reduce drift, cut plow hours and reduce the need to rent heavy equipment at problem corners.

IRVM staff requested a letter of support to apply for an Iowa Living Road Trust Fund grant to buy a new wood chipper; supervisors approved the letter and directed staff to submit the grant before the June 1 deadline. The IRVM coordinator said the county's current chipper dates to the 1990s and lacks modern safety and power features.

Why it matters: the suite of programs combines habitat goals with road-safety and maintenance savings. Roadside prairie adds pollinator habitat and reduces herbicide needs over time; living snow fences aim to lower plow time and fuel consumption at chronic drift locations.

Details presented to the board include seed options (from a clean-out mix to a high-diversity mix of 70-plus species supplied through a Tallgrass Prairie Center purchase program), an estimate of initial enrollments (8'9 landowners, ~2.5 acres established), and a timeline for the chipper grant (application by June 1; awards in August; purchase after release of funds in early September).","Supervisors approved a roadside prairie permit fee, a living snow-fence pilot and signed a letter supporting an IRVM grant application for a wood chipper; county staff described pilot enrollments and program details.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6321604,"Residents urge investigation into alleged threats and criticize TIF spending during public comments",280,75000,355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2349730-919def7b1b4b1441a888cfe9288c216c&start=75&end=355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2349730-919def7b1b4b1441a888cfe9288c216c/thumbnail_75000.jpg","/articles/6321604/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Residents-urge-investigation-into-alleged-threats-and-criticize-TIF-spending-during-public-comments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321604-aede6ef5c4e403ed4b3409a6f722b215/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221117&Signature=CqAzVz9Lt7j4KpFB5J-yFKbpS7xWTtQ1Bi~YQpNqzPpO0FKuS~Z5-9T6CdKef4nTdZaPv63-XRL9qmwu53K0gosY1EBuxNyyBEbE-QDyUgGJNK4fMfbFV~2mscppI3QqywrmhLPU1JpyuruunOhjObHiny2AznqfqeegYMBbyd30t4X3VdDTrqlirBXqtzLlP3QhEovkSxNTXTOKc6CcgEyiz41K63cJq8Rc-whVGF~YVUdAxUO-b3Awew-BW0HQW-7EZxfUj~pB2uw4GDev2VZ6bx9s72V1x29BGTap52OIEoYgYmF8X2m02r31o51qKH9Fr61nmgp-g37buI7OQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two residents raised sharply different concerns during the Board of Supervisors' public-comment period on Feb. 18.

Aaron Stacy Roberts of Palmer Street told the board he has experienced threatening text messages and threats to his family and asked county law enforcement to investigate what he described as sustained wrongdoing. Roberts compared his situation to historical corruption cases and said previous efforts to report the incidents led to his being referred for a mental-health evaluation. \"I didn't own the gun, still don't,\" Roberts said, and he asked the board to direct someone to look into his allegations.

Lifetime Black Hawk County resident Forrest Delabue addressed the supervisors about tax increment financing (TIF). Delabue criticized recent downtown incentives and said developers had received large taxpayer-backed incentives that he sees as taking money away from schools and other taxing bodies. He cited a $6.2 million bond-backed incentive to a developer for a conversion of the city hall property and a $2.5 million nonrefundable incentive for a grocery store that later closed, leaving the county with little return. \"Please take care of our tax dollars,\" Delabue told the board.

Why it matters: public comment gives residents a formal opportunity to raise concerns to elected supervisors. The board and staff may choose to respond by directing investigations, requesting reports from law enforcement or referring policy questions to future agendas.

Board response: The supervisors acknowledged the speakers and moved on with the meeting; no formal motions were recorded to initiate investigations or policy changes during the meeting.","Two residents used public comment time to ask supervisors to investigate alleged corruption and threats, and to criticize tax increment financing and downtown incentives.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6321609,"Supervisors approve $509,324.84 in payments and award road-marking contract",885,528000,1413000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2349730-919def7b1b4b1441a888cfe9288c216c&start=528&end=1413","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2349730-919def7b1b4b1441a888cfe9288c216c/thumbnail_528000.jpg","/articles/6321609/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Supervisors-approve-50932484-in-payments-and-award-road-marking-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321609-cb854694f89fb63635af0b865a684c2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221117&Signature=iPXqocGAivN-G5WxDZchFKPOnLqWMbnP~TSQj2moEmOnuy6EnBsTOzIU0ONTlNwMfCeU961wGUC6uI9XLvKD212g8~NaMfbUOu9VHwr5yIUVU9zRD7iCTI-9dXHYxAnw~6temykeXG9dcSzc9fQ~i~cL9dJhRXGKUVBMeMIYX-GVHBlamChYGs4lQHbalT6NcoLCoOfUKa4g6-rD9ULKL5TN~z0Cq8RzZQNp4zWr2J5~gzthP-Aih4yi5Xz93Pq2cbIfLeUdEsEmnNVxTZOf3Z8lpB~0Htd8w1PnIyGVZ~HelX3MG4dg6PodKdBBoTXDt51KrLZWLJoeAEh4ZvfX4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 18 approved $509,324.84 in county payments and a set of project contracts and change orders covering road markings, courthouse renovations and building controls.

The county auditor told supervisors the total bill payment for the meeting was $509,324.84, including $21,683.43 for election workers and $185,307.65 in ARPA-funded work such as Cedar Valley Nature Trail and courthouse upgrades. The board then approved a series of resolutions and contract actions by recorded vote.

Why it matters: routine claims, contract awards and change orders authorize work and release funds for projects the public will see this year, including spring pavement markings and continuing courthouse upgrades.

Most significant actions taken: the board awarded the county's annual pavement-marking contract (project L7625K) to Mobile Traffic Services of Orange City, Iowa, for a low bid of $185,437.52 (engineer's estimate $204,421.20). Supervisors also approved a small change order to Peters Construction to adjust a service counter wall ($1,906.40 increase net, with a $205 credit for cable removal) and accepted a $2,972 decrease in the Young Plumbing and Heating contract after the contractor removed an unneeded variable frequency drive.

The board approved the claims-and-payments resolution authorizing the auditor to issue checks, with the auditor noting only a few large items on the list: election worker payments, ARPA-funded courthouse work, and small renovation draws to contractors and architects.

Other items the board adopted included:
- Resolution establishing a roadside prairie permit and a $50 fee (covers signage and posts) and $25 for each additional sign beyond two.
- Resolution authorizing a living-snow-fence pilot program and allocating startup funds in the secondary-roads budget.
- A letter of support to apply for an Iowa Living Road Trust Fund grant for a wood chipper, and authorization to submit other IRVM-related grant applications.
- A travel request for a marketing staff member to attend a July professional program (cost $4,070) and a depository resolution updating approved financial institutions and maximum balances.

All resolution votes were recorded by roll call and carried. The claims-and-payments resolution passed by unanimous vote of the board; the pavement-marking award and all change orders likewise passed on recorded roll calls.

Looking ahead: the paving vendor will begin pavement-marking work in spring to maximize service months before winter. Renovation-related change orders are small dollar adjustments to previously approved courthouse remodeling contracts.","At its Feb. 18 meeting, the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors approved the county's claims and multiple project items, awarded a spring road-marking contract, and approved small change orders for courthouse renovations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Supervisors begin FY26 budget work session; Soil Conservation asks for $10,000 and staff outline options to close gap

Public Health reports avian flu guidance, launches adult vaccine access and seeks overdose-prevention partners

County rolls out roadside prairie, living snow-fence pilot and seeks grant support for wood chipper

Residents urge investigation into alleged threats and criticize TIF spending during public comments

Supervisors approve $509,324.84 in payments and award road-marking contract