[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6559591,"mediaKeyId","3199403-f198003e1d611af3e044b5af53b8591c","parentId",3199403,"title","Votes at a glance: Wapello County supervisors approve property purchase, EMS essential-service declaration and a package of routine resolutions","audioSeconds",4135,"startMs",57000,"endMs",4192000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3199403-f198003e1d611af3e044b5af53b8591c&start=57&end=4192","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3199403-f198003e1d611af3e044b5af53b8591c/thumbnail_57000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6559591/Wapello-County/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-Wapello-County-supervisors-approve-property-purchase-EMS-essential-service-declaration-and-a-package-of-routine-resolutions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559591-b970f61faf37d413f0d88a36da55e8fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136587&Signature=E06CHiayrvDj9LhBWapF1frstPQ0n0AmkR5dHbpX8UfKUQVzbcO6NDjjpkWbxFQy9kMZyjFHyqaOwrQSK9ooD14Nt6Mf4iCfj3~KcgjTl7v3eLoHc0QAfLV~XJO4I2TsylLnwVEERdy8D~r6ThnT2RKguSbl3utv2clAVKHp4roneAn-Qj-aNMiT~XApCRAqs1pZdI9wCJkGLgTtsZ0koPQcgn-B9Bf0n9yeaEkvZ9ihcxdLmMk3o009B0naRAR6bfV27nsz7V2KgqOfbM4YGyiOjTsq5rTFqEIXDJCG6wSenu-o6CVm~cai7Wg5kxevH1Pv5LuPgGl-oU9rozxopA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wapello County","date","2025-05-06T15:46:22.41Z","article","The Wapello County Board of Supervisors took a series of votes on administrative, audit and capital items during its meeting. Key outcomes:

- Resolution 26Dash2025: Approved purchase/acquisition of real property located at 123 East Third Street (former U.S. Bank) for $250,000 with a 30-day due-diligence period and a $20,000 option fee (approved by voice vote).

- Resolution 17Dash2025: Declared emergency medical services an essential county service under the statute cited in the meeting as \"Iowa code section 4 22 d 0.1\" (final reading approved by voice vote).

- Resolution 21Dash2025: Created a Wapello County Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council and listed appointees; board tabled finalization of appointments to allow organizations/time to review the list (motion to table carried).

- Resolution 19Dash2025: Noted termination/closure of the Southeastern Iowa regional mental-health agency effective June 30; board approved related housekeeping resolution (approved by voice vote).

- State audit resolutions: Board approved multiple audit authorizations including Resolution 23Dash2025 (State Auditor audit for fiscal year 2024-25 — approved), Resolution 24Dash2025 (audit of Veterans Affairs FY24-25 — approved), and a resolution to perform an audit of the IT department (approved).

- Bridge/road actions: Approved detour resolution for closure/replacement of the bridge on Lake Road with a proposed detour route (approved). Board discussion noted a probable four-to-six month construction window and contractor incentives to accelerate work.

- Other administrative approvals: renewal/insurance proxy and financial signings for Iowa Communities Assurance Pool (ICAP), a building-permit fee waiver for Wapello County 4-H Expo Incorporated, a retirement-release agreement for Dan Terrell, vehicle transfer of a 2018 Chevy Cruze to Gothic House, personnel hiring and payroll approvals, a Nationwide 457(b) plan adoption agreement, various fund transfers, and formation of an EMS advisory process. Several routine motions were approved by voice vote and recorded as \"Aye.\" A proposed IT license/support agreement with Solutions was tabled pending review of modified contract language.

Ending

Most actions were approved by voice vote; the board tabled the advisory-council appointments and the IT contract to allow further review. Staff will return with follow-up items and required reports.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors","oneSentenceSummary","At a regular meeting, supervisors approved the acquisition of 123 E. Third St., adopted a final reading declaring EMS an essential service, approved multiple audit and administrative resolutions, and tabled advisory-council appointments and an IT contract for further review.","taxTitle","Wapello County, Iowa","taxId",68477,"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},6559598,"Economic development group asks Wapello County for increased funding; supervisors take no immediate action",942,897000,1839000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3199403-f198003e1d611af3e044b5af53b8591c&start=897&end=1839","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3199403-f198003e1d611af3e044b5af53b8591c/thumbnail_897000.jpg","/articles/6559598/Wapello-County/Iowa/Economic-development-group-asks-Wapello-County-for-increased-funding-supervisors-take-no-immediate-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559598-81cef326868b3c8438d6e47c23fcc36f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136587&Signature=Qdv1ZZtQYYWbMsUMPKDmHanYG21KO0fiwPKkP3YJirQKaWg~Nr-DBLEB8gZ8xpkZ4Rn3Ms9QI4fWMmu7duRoyrbfpZmFwD6PmbbJzTyLm-zSS71wYJkp42irMhEBoXno9zKuiov5YIgyAXs-8BwXivL1R6-3dOnnJxuyM7YrOAUL4V1vFA6DhWyWJftCDT50V8mGPrANhQiaZUPopGfu5QfWlOKk2WjXWR48EsoFRITlpCJ9cdKGlxEMRDb9LeyiN-cPfuEyAL1cRjQqzEYp4XS4HUxHV-hjLPRN3i1NEEq99pnAY7WFGlA6fiihU7GB5~0WmSG3PwaiqcxMbGqRzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leaders of Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress (GoPIP) asked Wapello County supervisors to increase the county's annual contribution for economic-development work and discussed measurable deliverables, but supervisors did not act at the meeting.

Mark Rowe, speaking for GoPIP, said the organization seeks more county support to expand economic-development activities countywide and proposed a draft contract for $50,000 per year for three years with CPI-based increases. Rowe said the organization had previously received an incremental increase and that GoPIP would accept accountability measures tied to deliverables. \"We're not going to be the organization that comes and asks for money without having some accountability attached to it,\" Rowe said.

Rowe noted comparable county contracts in other Iowa counties and said GoPIP's lower threshold to earn a board seat would be $35,000; the draft contract given to county staff suggested $50,000 per year for three years. County board members asked how the increased contribution would be paid and whether the general-basic fund or local-option sales tax would be appropriate. County accountant/auditor Kelly said prior payments classified as local-option sales-tax expenditures had been reviewed during an audit and required recalculation; she said general-basic is the typical funding source for a membership-type contribution. Kelly also said the county's general-basic revenues and expenditures have constraints and that the board might need to amend the budget if it approves additional recurring funding.

Several GoPIP board members and local partners, including David Will of John Deere and Phil Rath of the City of Ottumwa, spoke in favor of the organization and described deliverables such as housing work, agricultural economy initiatives and shared regional projects. Rowe also reported a Phase II environmental survey for a county investment at 312 East Alta Vista produced no contaminants in the report.

Supervisors said they would continue the discussion and that no formal action would be taken at the meeting; they asked staff to draft potential contract language and to check budget options for the next fiscal year.

Ending

The board did not vote on funding. Supervisors asked staff to review funding sources and to return with a resolution or contract language for future consideration.","Representatives of Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress asked supervisors to increase county funding from about $13,000 to a proposed $50,000 per year (three-year proposal) with accountable deliverables; board members discussed funding sources and budget process and agreed to continue the conversation later.",{"_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},6559601,"Wapello County approves purchase agreement for former U.S. Bank building at 123 E. Third St.",181,96000,277000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3199403-f198003e1d611af3e044b5af53b8591c&start=96&end=277","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3199403-f198003e1d611af3e044b5af53b8591c/thumbnail_96000.jpg","/articles/6559601/Wapello-County/Iowa/Wapello-County-approves-purchase-agreement-for-former-US-Bank-building-at-123-E-Third-St","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559601-8452eb03cdf6d72a98aec84aa253b506/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136587&Signature=VXOXVnc4laT4SO0dwegqNCRYJcabCuFDpWWcu3rJD7TaLh-ouNNqVlItvUG44J0VHATwQ5Mr4jFAEQ4ehvI7bT51vVeoAaQ2qTga0TccVcl8D6AV0UoG~WPz8brilnFrZGX~Q0W1dq38Es1Bw-9hLHLdukRDODa4xqRdm2jDW0H7byl2py-4oKQSUMqfkxMNURRmErwMiRxNGFfeFy7XkkCuAIAM87O2Ot5~KsdUzkGkWUjoxqKUKuO9s7FguLbWw27VDuO8MJOYTLhT5Tvfvqd11BmsalxBow~qQgBPKTEKuxQyM64e-JLIJjdnYaEldzLdldGPFm1irvyJJAu84Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wapello County supervisors approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of real property at 123 East Third Street, the former U.S. Bank building in Ottumwa, following a short public hearing.

The agreement approved as Resolution 26Dash2025 includes a 30-day due-diligence period, a $20,000 option fee that will apply to the purchase price and is refundable if the county elects not to proceed within the due-diligence period, and a stated purchase price of $250,000. County staff said the purchase would let the county consolidate services currently spread across four buildings into two and would allow the county to sell one or two other properties with portions of the proceeds offsetting relocation and acquisition costs.

The public hearing produced one verbal comment in support of the acquisition. A resident who spoke during the hearing said the county would face similar costs keeping the existing buildings and that the consolidation would \"move us forward and ... be a good win for the community overall.\" The board closed the hearing and approved the resolution by voice vote.

County counsel noted the agreement is subject to delivery of a clear title and an abstract-of-title examination by the county attorney. The county also has an option to inspect the property during the 30-day due-diligence window.

Ending

With the vote, the board authorized staff to proceed with closing steps subject to due diligence and title review; county officials said any proceeds from later sales of other county buildings could be used to offset acquisition and relocation costs.","After a public hearing, the board approved Resolution 26Dash2025 to acquire the former U.S. Bank building at 123 East Third Street for $250,000 with a 30-day due-diligence option and a $20,000 option fee.",{"_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},6559606,"Wapello County declares EMS an essential service; advisory-council appointments tabled after public objections",2729,773000,3502000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3199403-f198003e1d611af3e044b5af53b8591c&start=773&end=3502","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3199403-f198003e1d611af3e044b5af53b8591c/thumbnail_773000.jpg","/articles/6559606/Wapello-County/Iowa/Wapello-County-declares-EMS-an-essential-service-advisory-council-appointments-tabled-after-public-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559606-3a0c19aa53428f8a8bab3ca1bc75ecdd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136587&Signature=YJ0Ab1q9RCz5CUGD-Z4H-MQ~XMtIde2CQanjXjAP4ugLezCQ3JoancPx~nWQMCnAfYJcsgf~lL9l39QhuB3Cyk3Pd86-0oQBuLz7sHqwm2erJSdW0ETgUdZ9TQhfSPwtpl2mOt-dwgmBLJySWbxXMJk6B9EHpKxw7kY5oWmxAr9DADyQRpYjIhEWySsVw3HtY14~ZR0mtQBX~n9NT13rkO1aHWYzt1HjGMBdHrklsiSXxDVgFK27CK-BGiutdlsI7Ou4BsNs0xM76xSeQlCxodENjjaT-9k--lhyAinJS~HrN70v~MP7OC24RGAGI--dAhYFSfB1al49fkuT9Uz82A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wapello County supervisors voted to adopt a final reading declaring emergency medical services an essential county service, then paused appointments to a newly created Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council after several public speakers raised concerns about the selection process and representation.

The board approved Resolution 17Dash2025, declaring emergency medical services essential as authorized by \"Iowa code section 4 22 d 0.1.\" Board members said the declaration is intended to open a path to examine system standards, funding options and structural changes for countywide EMS delivery.

The vote came amid more than an hour of public comment focused on the advisory council listed in Resolution 21Dash2025, which outlines a 14-member core committee and allows ad hoc participants. Fire chiefs, union leaders and residents urged the board to reconsider appointments and broaden representation. Sean Canton, chief of fire and emergency services for the City of Ottumwa, said the selection process gave the appearance of favoritism and risked excluding frontline perspectives. \"Where transparency is lacking, service delivery is subpar,\" Canton said.

Troy Pilcher, captain with the Ottumwa Fire Department and president of the local IFF 395, urged the supervisors to include more union fire-based EMS professionals. \"Union fire based EMS professionals bring critical experience and insight, and their absence leaves a significant gap in perspective,\" Pilcher said.

Supporters of a county-level EMS approach said a working advisory group is needed to design standards and funding proposals. County staff described the advisory panel as a starting point and emphasized that organizations named in the resolution may appoint designees and that additional ad hoc members could be added.

After the public comments, a supervisor moved to table the appointments to the council so organizations and proposed appointees could review the list; the motion passed. The board left intact the emergency-service declaration it had just adopted and said it would revisit the advisory-council appointments at a later meeting.

The board and presenters discussed potential funding tools described under state law, including options that combine a property-tax levy (up to 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation) and/or an income surtax (up to 1 percent), and emphasized that final figures would depend on decisions about the scope of services and voter approval. County staff said it is possible the process will identify solutions that do not require a new levy, but that the advisory work must precede funding choices.

Supervisors said advisory-council meetings will be public once scheduled and that the resolution allows organizations to substitute designees. The board instructed staff to post membership information and an interest form on the county emergency-management web page and to return the item at the next regular meeting for any final adjustments to appointments.

Ending

The board adopted the essential-service resolution and tabled the specific advisory-council appointments for further review. Supervisors said they expect continued public engagement and that next steps will include clarifying committee membership, schedule and the funding analysis that will inform any future ballot proposals.","The Board passed a final reading declaring emergency medical services an essential county service, then tabled appointments to a new EMS advisory council after firefighters, union leaders and residents raised concerns about representation and transparency.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Wapello County supervisors approve property purchase, EMS essential-service declaration and a package of routine resolutions

Economic development group asks Wapello County for increased funding; supervisors take no immediate action

Wapello County approves purchase agreement for former U.S. Bank building at 123 E. Third St.

Wapello County declares EMS an essential service; advisory-council appointments tabled after public objections