[{"_1":2,"_85":-5,"_86":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,73],{"_32":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":55,"_67":68,"_69":55,"_70":71,"_72":71},"mediaId",6270871,"mediaKeyId","3031686-6b286d4424b1f7a27e9b707c0fbdc0a1","parentId",3031686,"title","Woodbury County approves $150,000 to cap LEC well and budgets for interim morgue services","audioSeconds",350,"startMs",3780000,"endMs",4130000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031686-6b286d4424b1f7a27e9b707c0fbdc0a1&start=3780&end=4130","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031686-6b286d4424b1f7a27e9b707c0fbdc0a1/thumbnail_3780000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6270871/Woodbury-County/Iowa/Woodbury-County-approves-150000-to-cap-LEC-well-and-budgets-for-interim-morgue-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270871-0b2f53408bbbf40a535150e55a8adaa3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770014952&Signature=nc2bTmNNPYhbDNB-kBlvamuOpHw8RbG5kqlIZAtYzFl097rKmhgaKfyiwLXs0NG9bXbs46ZtYecw1HN-DXB7UeQEPJdW5GwCxdNDcdZaGUE8zNtU0QGulUBGlWOO1Lrs9itJAUdJqTQrvCGhS2qTORgpCKFsSl9dMOxAi4SbOz8yDHfsrdSnFvHKFAo49HKUA5uOdVTQbrNeao3VjCR4e3fn4RTeHN2Helj6t-eccPYvqT2MENZnVYT5pHviynhvkqNSUJo7T9g8LDG3e17J3yiKG1tla7EUR858XQ5xkKFr5WrCHLBKkajpeiacKwF9VO9vuab2pMIIRSH4RXSmeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Woodbury County, Iowa","date","2025-04-17T03:17:55.513Z","article","The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors approved a $150,000 transfer to Building Services to pay for capping a well at the county’s Law Enforcement Center (LEC) and discussed next steps for demolition preparations and interim mortuary services.

Why it matters: County staff said capping the well now will avoid long‑term monitoring fees that could add up to several times the one‑time cap cost. Building Services staff and the board said the cap could clear a regulatory requirement and reduce future monitoring obligations that would otherwise continue to accumulate costs.

Kenny, a county staff member overseeing the LEC demolition work, explained to supervisors that DNR monitoring requirements would remain until a nearby well is terminated. He said the one‑time cap cost of $150,000 is likely to be less expensive than ongoing monitoring fees; per the presentation to the board, 10 years of monitoring alone could cost about $250,000 and 15 years about $375,000 if the wells remain active. Supervisors voted to add $150,000 to the Building Services budget with details of the exact general ledger (GL) line to be assigned by staff.

The board also discussed demolition planning and three outstanding items that affect the removal schedule: capping the LEC well, removal of a diesel fuel tank subject to DNR oversight, and abatement of window glazing that tested slightly above 1% asbestos and therefore needs separate abatement bids.

Morgue services: County staff told supervisors that the county’s current option for body storage will end on Dec. 31 and the county must arrange alternatives. The board included two line items in the FY26 budget to cover interim costs: $100,000 for medical services and transportation (for autopsies at Ankeny or other facilities) and $75,000 for rental of space to hold decedents pending funeral home transfer. Staff said they are pursuing potential grants for a cooler and equipment, and exploring 28E‑style agreements with local funeral homes as a lower‑cost alternative to running a county morgue.

Kenny told the board that, if the county caps the identified well, the DNR may allow the county to terminate annual monitoring and remove other wells from the LEC site as part of demolition. \"Ten years of the monitoring fee is $250,000; 15 years out, it's $375,000 just to monitor that well,\" he said.

Next steps: Building Services will identify the GL line for the $150,000 allocation and report back to the board with vendor and timing details. County staff will continue to pursue grants and funeral‑home agreements for temporary morgue services and return to the board with cost estimates and options.

Ending: The board approved the $150,000 increase for the well cap and directed staff to finalize the GL assignment and keep the board informed of grant progress and demolition timing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-04-15 Board of Supervisors Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Supervisors approved a $150,000 increase to Building Services to cap an old well at the Law Enforcement Center and added budget lines for temporary morgue needs while staff pursue grants and agreements with funeral homes.","taxTitle","taxId",3851,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":74,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":75,"_40":76,"_42":77,"_44":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},6270874,"Woodbury County approves 3% wage increase, union contracts and equipment purchases amid budget shortfall",2431,976000,3407000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031686-6b286d4424b1f7a27e9b707c0fbdc0a1&start=976&end=3407","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031686-6b286d4424b1f7a27e9b707c0fbdc0a1/thumbnail_976000.jpg","/articles/6270874/Woodbury-County/Iowa/Woodbury-County-approves-3-wage-increase-union-contracts-and-equipment-purchases-amid-budget-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270874-c858b4e19e4a779389698d5a62ff7f4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770014952&Signature=DakKP-AmfEfdDj1hGBcK8zeu6Pl1SRG338GBHzyuibPUsq5cqG0UOfUVZkaqAhPjjDJkzwOpvAWGElh46Ere3d3dlOS8IzrCzj-70ThW9OvLhQCEVZ9n8jsUq-IMOgvM8VMHMYlvgb6n8ucxJygAoB~sECTdk2CbY~zaxQYZyX1rU9pu92Pu8SR8eu5RSznqQ4SXgUlwnhCXbeM0dGQaby6E7lS1gI4C2jI~GvSDvPKz1-8k-1VoIQqX4QpwRgbempQViVJauP1AYpDruFJaZptX56WC2fRnKcyLG~18kS6vy73MkeXubOp3b5GU~zTjgwuVW~KmL2lc8R5XMOyOJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a 3% across‑the‑board wage increase for fiscal year 2026 and several related budget and staffing measures during a regularly scheduled meeting. The board also approved union contract actions, the purchase of squad‑car tablets for deputies, and authorization for an additional sergeant in the sheriff’s office.

The wage decision came as County Auditor Michelle Scapp and department leaders briefed supervisors on the county’s projected reserves and staffing needs. Scapp told the board that, as currently proposed, the county faces roughly a $2.1 million shortfall across funds and will need about $414,000 more to preserve two months of operating funds at the end of fiscal 2026.

Why it matters: Supervisors said the pay decision recognizes county employees’ workload and recruitment pressures but acknowledged the board must make additional cuts or find new revenue before next year to avoid drawing down reserves long term.

Board discussion centered on recruitment and revenue. Sheriff Chad Sheehan told the board federal inmate revenue is exceeding the original budget estimate and said that if current numbers hold, county receipts tied to housing federal inmates could be substantially higher than budgeted for FY26; combining current‑year receipts with projected FY26 receipts, Sheehan said the county could see roughly three‑quarters of a million dollars more than anticipated. Woodbury County Attorney James Loomis urged the board to keep the 3% increase as budgeted, saying it would reward work already done. Melissa Thomas, the county’s HR director, warned that withholding raises would raise turnover and increase recruitment and training costs.

The board also voted on a package of related actions the same night. Those included approving a three‑year collective bargaining agreement with CWA Local 7177 covering civilian jailers, a wage reopener for deputy sheriffs, authorization to hire an extra sergeant to cover a one‑year military deployment, and a purchase of new squad‑car tablets to avoid an October network cutoff.

Quotes: \"If we just maintain where we're at right now, that revenue increase will be\" higher than budgeted and \"we're 2 months, 2 and a half months ahead of the start of the fiscal year,\" Sheriff Chad Sheehan told the board when describing federal inmate revenue. County Attorney James Loomis said, \"I'd ask the board to keep the 3% in the budget.\" HR Director Melissa Thomas said, \"When staff is not compensated... they might start looking for new jobs. Recruitment costs money. New training costs money.\"

Votes at a glance
- Wage plan: Motion to approve a 3% wage increase for fiscal 2026 (motion by Bittinger; second by Nelson). Outcome: approved, vote recorded four‑zero.
- CWA Local 7177 (civilian jailers) collective bargaining agreement (three years, wages restructured on a 6% basis in year 1; wage reopeners in years 2 and 3): approved, vote recorded three‑zero.
- CWA Local 7177 deputy sheriffs wage reopener (one year; 5%): approved, vote recorded three‑zero.
- Additional sergeant in sheriff’s office to cover a one‑year military deployment: approved, vote recorded three‑zero.
- Workers’ Compensation High‑Level Risk Management Action Plan agreement with the insurer (IMWCA): approved, vote recorded three‑zero. Board discussion noted the county faces a workers’ compensation premium increase that the auditor (Michelle Scapp) identified as approximately $160,000 in increased premium this year.
- Squad‑car tablets: purchase of 22 (quoted as 22–23 during discussion) tablets for the sheriff’s office at $85,234.38 from gaming funds: approved, vote recorded four‑zero.
- Increase in projected inmate revenue: motion to increase the budgeted federal inmate revenue estimate by $600,000: approved, vote recorded four‑zero.

Details and context: Auditor Michelle Scapp walked supervisors through budget scenarios. She said a combination of adjustments already made and proposed budget moves could leave the county with a roughly $2.1 million gap between revenues and expenses across funds unless reserves are used or further cuts/revenues are identified. Scapp quantified one planning metric: to have two months of operating funds available at the end of FY26 the county had an estimated shortfall of about $414,000 under current expense assumptions. Scapp also noted an error that had placed a workers’ compensation liability amount in the wrong fund and said the number would be corrected to reflect a roughly $160,000 premium impact in a supplemental fund.

Supervisors and department leaders argued the 3% increase would help recruitment and retention in hard‑to‑fill roles such as jail staff and secondary roads. Michael Andreessen, district 5 foreman in secondary roads, and Dan Heisel, conservation director, urged supervisors to keep the scheduled wage increases for staff who worked long response hours during recent storms. Sheriff Sheehan told supervisors recent increases in federal inmate counts and reimbursements had improved the sheriff’s office revenue outlook for FY26 compared with the amount that was originally budgeted.

What’s next: Supervisors said they will continue budget work over the summer and fall to identify cuts or revenue options to avoid drawing reserves below target levels next year. The wage action and the other votes passed carry into FY26 budget documents and will be reflected in the final budget adopted before certification deadlines.

Ending: The board completed other routine business in the same meeting; multiple supervisors said they expect more detailed follow‑up work on staffing, departmental reserves and potential legislative impacts on county funding over the next months.","The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors approved a 3% across‑the‑board wage increase for fiscal 2026 and a package of related staffing and budget actions, while staff detailed a multi‑million dollar shortfall and contingency steps to cover two months of operations.","actionData","errors"]

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Woodbury County approves $150,000 to cap LEC well and budgets for interim morgue services

Woodbury County approves 3% wage increase, union contracts and equipment purchases amid budget shortfall