[{"_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",6250762,"mediaKeyId","3198587-ca4e72dc168bf3b0856decae4024abc9","parentId",3198587,"title","Supervisors renew employee assistance program, set budget hearing, approve support letter and move to closed session","audioSeconds",1188,"startMs",2706000,"endMs",3894000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3198587-ca4e72dc168bf3b0856decae4024abc9&start=2706&end=3894","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3198587-ca4e72dc168bf3b0856decae4024abc9/thumbnail_2706000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6250762/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/Supervisors-renew-employee-assistance-program-set-budget-hearing-approve-support-letter-and-move-to-closed-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250762-4c64b6af7ff449709a44c33e968f0008/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170159&Signature=SLuk3jwCmdPRkAMEFTYjUBL3fZCf95MSmBhxLCV5efxLVY1EJZECSmTmxKhTSpBwtXZW8RGNiFj8fExZy~vVE5Q5j8vUViZScGCScGwqWUogVnRkv6Yn-so-ennCFoNLsBl-ZbB3uYFnajs2VR-vbJJPlylbvphyXAxvOptwsMFYy73JDo7tmiPtkYlQnmP5x5lFnmFNF29WybCmyjrG5nI4VaXRSpbU22wyy6-wsFiiEQ0pUYkfdX~Lp8gmiaC0xZjoINm6iph0xkc7ej3bPvIdpm6kvAi-zjIkWGu8DvS6Gr3j8xZ5X-krSokI8mOn1yZFYfJ2LJxbpG43johloA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Winneshiek County","date","2025-05-05T17:53:09Z","article","Winneshiek County supervisors voted to renew the county’s employee assistance program (EAP), set a public hearing date for the FY25 budget amendment, approved a letter of support requested by a community contact, and then moved into closed session to meet with the Department of Homeland Security on a security matter.

A county staff member described the EAP as a low-cost counseling and support benefit for employees, “a few bucks an employee a month,” with reminders and communications sent by the county’s HR contact, Lynn. Supervisors moved to renew the contract; the motion carried by voice vote.

The board set a public hearing for the FY25 budget amendment for Tuesday, May 27 at 9:30 a.m. and approved placing the resolution on the calendar. Supervisors also approved a letter of support for a community designation request (described in the agenda as the “course driving communities designation”) after a staff contact, Stephanie, asked the board to forward the letter; the motion was approved by voice vote.

Near the end of open session, the board voted to enter closed session under Iowa Code Section 21.5(a) to discuss security and to conduct a joint meeting with the Department of Homeland Security; the chair announced the statutory citation and the purpose before the room was cleared and the closed session began.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors Meeting 20250505","oneSentenceSummary","Winneshiek County approved renewal of an employee assistance program, scheduled a public hearing for the FY25 budget amendment, approved a letter of support requested by a community contact, and voted to enter a closed session to discuss security with the Department of Homeland Security.","taxTitle","Winneshiek County, Iowa","taxId",55663,"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},6250767,"County planners flag potential zoning questions over subterranean hydrogen and large energy users",279,3384000,3663000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3198587-ca4e72dc168bf3b0856decae4024abc9&start=3384&end=3663","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3198587-ca4e72dc168bf3b0856decae4024abc9/thumbnail_3384000.jpg","/articles/6250767/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/County-planners-flag-potential-zoning-questions-over-subterranean-hydrogen-and-large-energy-users","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250767-436f358a49f0413903618580bd77064c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170159&Signature=LR9Mk7j~H9OLk9Hnh38wu4atNMGZAKCmNUsGWFrt~5wpBXN7ha0fiQgulTZNGNvVM3ccqr-~MUTip2TRI4v1ANwdu8SxIGepl5OLQngfSuxkJOGarWs1tOYLoynqZeuN-L5ys5XzzG3ovpHLqfyFdwT41D96uowGJtoGjtFGFSVS4ODwxqH7nJ9vCV2APbwtdThdiOpTrRRXOAM9IJ4CivFaH708vFSxX7hX4dLDx-LmQwE2h5PMm63qhtUUZ3Q7ZWnhAO4fRgJ~VGPLTwBvLX5hLjGlOYfBLH6LBuD4AXMevQqy1~GcL9RQwcLaX6KpRQV56LvOUiVy1bvZvIsAZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff raised concerns about recent reporting on subterranean hydrogen deposits and asked supervisors whether zoning or other county-level rules should be reviewed to address drilling, pipelines or related infrastructure.

A staff speaker said recent articles and a mapping effort suggest concentrations of so-called liquid hydrogen or hydrogen-bearing formations under parts of Iowa and that some proposed uses could include power generation. The speaker asked whether the county treats such facilities as utilities—like electric utilities—or whether zoning or state preemption would apply.

Board members discussed several possible components that could require review: deep drilling activity (one number mentioned was roughly 15,000 feet deep in media reports), compressor or processing equipment that operates continuously and creates noise, and pipelines or other transport infrastructure. Supervisors asked staff to reach out to state agencies, relevant technical experts and the county engineer for more information on regulatory jurisdiction, likely approvals and any definitions that might be needed in local zoning ordinances.

The discussion also referenced recent questions about large electricity users such as data centers and whether county regulations should address siting and electric demand; supervisors noted any county action might be limited by state authority. Planning staff said they would gather additional information and report back to the board for consideration in zoning amendments or other action.","Planning staff told supervisors about reporting that maps possible subterranean liquid-hydrogen deposits in parts of Iowa, including Winneshiek County, and asked the board whether the county should examine zoning and regulatory responses for hydrogen production, drilling, pipelines and large electricity users such as data centers.",{"_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},6250772,"Supervisors OK FY25 amendment, approve hires and multiple road projects",527,1178000,1705000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3198587-ca4e72dc168bf3b0856decae4024abc9&start=1178&end=1705","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3198587-ca4e72dc168bf3b0856decae4024abc9/thumbnail_1178000.jpg","/articles/6250772/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/Supervisors-OK-FY25-amendment-approve-hires-and-multiple-road-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250772-5cd47e6451a45ce1ddcd89e7968667ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170159&Signature=h6WK8TfGXBZHJzt-CH0voPHHQpHuQ6T8wLHfhraxpy6P39SnJgsNmEvztpUf8dlm8zOAVta-w4bHSOrjSwYAJ8hODD3-h0BIU5ouLDUl~HsUXY-WFHuFBIi5tgsXHjkas19hIrhGceLzxBMXi~Z6ndBTvmPF6yKBVsJDX8H~Q60EdNHLSNDyJWoQKlPdyE2H7zjT4ffb9gCox2utEAL36iHWub3UI1-IqkarTeqrL8aEWCRR5XMof5r01zcc8-0V9HiEGrrEmebmMxs4Y85XevhebLiEFDPI-ng3qerfh1eKzWsMzJCXQRoU0Z5vl-OhQdwWNbGaSP-dpD6dqFryVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Winneshiek County supervisors approved a FY25 budget amendment needed for the county’s Department of Transportation submission and took several personnel and project actions after the county engineer’s weekly report.

County Engineer Michael (surname not stated in transcript) told the board the DOT version of the FY25 budget amendment must be approved for inclusion in the county’s published budget. Supervisors moved to approve the amendment by voice vote; the motion carried unanimously. The engineer also said the certified five-year plan will be updated next week to add the Neste Valley project as a construction item.

The board approved hiring two road-maintenance employees—John Bogstetter for the bridge crew and Alex Kennan for the operator 2/scoop position—pending standard pre-employment screening. The motion to hire was approved by voice vote.

Engineer updates included ongoing culvert replacement work on B32 and a road closure for a local event on Steiner Road that supervisors approved; P32 sealcoat work between Fort Atkinson and Thessina is planned for late July or early August. The engineer said Denco Incorporated is coordinating county seal projects and that some roads will receive cold-in-place recycling with a 4-inch overlay. He also reported that fence installation and initial earthmoving have begun for the Neste Valley construction and that Bridge 32 superstructure repairs are near deck completion.

Staff discussed new equipment coming into service—a mulcher and a machine intended to improve shoulder work and rock retention on county roads—and said crews will rotate the equipment among districts as operations require. Supervisors approved a temporary road closure for a July 4 event and carried votes related to budget-processing timelines. Several project lettings were noted for later in 2025 and 2026, and the engineer said more detailed schedules will be available after pre-construction meetings.

Supervisors said they will consider the certified five-year plan amendment at a future meeting after DOT sign-off and noted routine reporting on construction and maintenance activity will continue.","Winneshiek County approved a FY25 budget amendment for DOT submission, hired two road crew members, and advanced several road and bridge projects including culvert replacements and the Neste Valley construction entry.",{"_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},6250776,"Winneshiek County approves $19,000 to sustain Decorah opioid treatment site",225,408000,633000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3198587-ca4e72dc168bf3b0856decae4024abc9&start=408&end=633","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3198587-ca4e72dc168bf3b0856decae4024abc9/thumbnail_408000.jpg","/articles/6250776/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/Winneshiek-County-approves-19000-to-sustain-Decorah-opioid-treatment-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250776-92c4bfd1f2ffbdfb2ff54133de24b666/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170159&Signature=Mt-mnbNLbP~toSPBDetbRG13u8vX2V0~un51CqBUd3cn1IHR59z9BeZO0Dq1osE9em2om7~WKtDcvu~6mJsmNKStSlGkVq0R7GHy-07v079mQGdUjD46GUBK0dM627ajpW0ONWQbOyfjg2Oo9RACIzNm~gc8LT7YVmCtlGQmOuDgTg0sUSWF4L7bnsqSvjJqkc2~~SBMbnsSTIRvYmvIAnI4J~kREpc5VB3l96rjYZE5R8eMNxItFiRQva59K-sF3chmDybqUlYLD7CTPlb8r6KWmaYHTGpvkdrmbs6Xq8zTXQzJQfEr0wEpwqup75immErh4AZbOCQZ5XK4lcdjgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Winneshiek County supervisors voted to approve a $19,000 allocation from opioid-settlement funds to UCS Healthcare to help sustain the clinic it operates in Decorah.

The county’s opioid task force recommended the award after surveying residents; John Botts, co-chair of the Winneshiek County Opioid Task Force, presented the recommendation at the meeting and said the group sought proposals that matched community preferences. Detective Chris Webber of the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office described the UCS program as “something that really helps local law enforcement to be able to have an actual resource to go, that we know works.”

Jen Pearson, representing UCS Healthcare, told the board UCS is a “specially licensed opioid treatment program” that provides FDA-approved medications to reduce withdrawal and cravings. She said the Decorah site has served about 40 patients over five years and that sustaining the local clinic avoids hours-long travel for residents who might otherwise need daily medication doses. Pearson asked the board to consider a one-time allocation to cover operating shortfalls and outreach that the task force had recommended.

The task force proposed stipulations with the award: part of the $19,000 is to cover operating costs including staff salaries and part—about $4,000—is earmarked for outreach to increase local patient volume. The task force also asked UCS to provide quarterly reports on client counts and program metrics. The board approved the request by voice vote; the motion passed and was recorded as carrying unanimously.

Board members and presenters emphasized that the award is a one-time request for now, that the task force will evaluate sustainability over time, and that quarterly reporting will allow the board to track whether outreach improves enrollment and financial stability.

The board’s action makes state-settlement dollars available to maintain a local opioid treatment option in Decorah while the task force monitors outcomes and sustainability.","The Board of Supervisors voted to allocate $19,000 in opioid-settlement funds to UCS Healthcare to help sustain its opioid treatment program in Decorah, with reporting conditions and outreach funding included.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Supervisors renew employee assistance program, set budget hearing, approve support letter and move to closed session

County planners flag potential zoning questions over subterranean hydrogen and large energy users

Supervisors OK FY25 amendment, approve hires and multiple road projects

Winneshiek County approves $19,000 to sustain Decorah opioid treatment site