[{"_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",6061115,"mediaKeyId","3286746-be9a3282c9ae4b3306a04f3a510120f8","parentId",3286746,"title","Des Moines County approves multiple personnel actions including corrections hires and step increases","audioSeconds",205,"startMs",992000,"endMs",1197000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3286746-be9a3282c9ae4b3306a04f3a510120f8&start=992&end=1197","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3286746-be9a3282c9ae4b3306a04f3a510120f8/thumbnail_992000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6061115/Des-Moines-County/Iowa/Des-Moines-County-approves-multiple-personnel-actions-including-corrections-hires-and-step-increases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061115-74ea1302fbe633795a317b2bc7dce0e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775062860&Signature=ij8JGPnum7yurqRwY60PVPTOcrnS-JFpCTKhGIBspK4hdujJ9GmrucgmRUl3ps1Kf51TlUMpSjC6nOvee4dz2oCvrqgWUlzlWbIVES7PIBvkZYiEO5Z3EhJ0ysQN~A-U7Is9L0uR~rG-H-zvoGmZGHblsChjXG1XLXGiljH5zssmVTMouH8XO88zpIqpkdVQ2CvAvAILLL9ytz3ujXI3RIXsZPQYl4ISbGAbLcV8R~m-vR7UQcejZqhHgtEZYBZfjRqZ9KKcEY9QHrO1rW12LMmpsIOEXTQdZmvXeP2MbyD8s4-c6ZyGw2Jcd8GHaa~oPAT-ZA0aKbm~g9szwRzVTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Des Moines County, IA","date","2025-05-13T13:12:35Z","article","The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors approved multiple personnel actions at its May 13 meeting, including hires, resignations and step or anniversary pay increases in the sheriff’s office and other county departments.

County staff presented eight personnel items, which the board approved by motion. Actions included the hire of Mitchell Houston as a correctional officer (effective May 2, 2025) with a listed annual rate of $48,614.34; the resignation of a correctional officer who left after one day; anniversary and step increases for correctional officers and part-time cooks; and a promotion in the conservation department.

The nut graf: the personnel approvals update staffing and pay steps across county departments and formalize several hires and personnel-status changes. The board recorded roll-call affirmative votes for the package.

Among the items read into the record were: Brianna Teal, correctional officer, two-year anniversary step increase (new salary to $53,287.41); part-time cook Jessica Cahoon, hourly rate increase from $16.28 to $16.58; a new hire Roy Cochran, correctional officer (new rate $49,868.07); promotion of conservation technician Brian Havner with a listed new annual rate of $42,806.40; and adjustments in the auditor’s office, including a first-deputy adjustment to $67,091.06.

Supervisors moved to approve the personnel slate and recorded affirmative votes. The board did not attach additional conditions or direct supplemental budget approvals during the meeting; all items were processed as administrative personnel actions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Des Moines County Board Meeting 05/13/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Supervisors approved a package of personnel actions May 13, including new hires, resignations and step increases across the sheriff’s office and other county departments.","taxTitle","Des Moines County, Iowa","taxId",68487,"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},6061120,"Des Moines County schedules evening wind-energy work session; supervisors debate how to handle public correspondence",1670,1448000,3118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3286746-be9a3282c9ae4b3306a04f3a510120f8&start=1448&end=3118","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3286746-be9a3282c9ae4b3306a04f3a510120f8/thumbnail_1448000.jpg","/articles/6061120/Des-Moines-County/Iowa/Des-Moines-County-schedules-evening-wind-energy-work-session-supervisors-debate-how-to-handle-public-correspondence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061120-65e7a3d9f149ac444e55c52d971c222d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775062860&Signature=TqySIZWrSf3ibNiuvQfm9Ej~4g9GBlYVLUEygL55fnEwEgbEMVG-yIL0JO-hywQBxWgCMWTGh0oXlr90OrDUt4cxWaMV2R3soc6Yk2WAErL~GmP0V~iKwCefix-UC~klpayxydt04F7E~3NLB~GNLGGppDFFnnI2IB1WJVgJ1uuff5Tg7of8Z5UX4eCYyyBUFosWYwCnTjpyEuMIx~zllKf3mxhV61-57wbxZo4YPfGsvyQCSl7EXeFXugLifl5tIW6Kwrp5cyGbtRAeersmOa8Z344IWOIcCqC-NoOWAHX~asF2ko4sNoTS8lCPhQSmXj5nhY0j9uI4rwu0WmqquQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors agreed May 13 to schedule an evening work session on wind energy so more residents can attend, and during the meeting engaged in an extended discussion about public correspondence, open-records obligations and how the county should handle emails and texts it receives on the topic.

Supervisor Paul (first name not provided) suggested an evening meeting to allow greater public attendance; the board asked staff to check courtroom availability and to publish the session on next week’s agenda and social media. The board discussed holding the session Tuesday of next week at about 5:30 p.m.; staff were directed to confirm room availability and post the time and location.

The nut graf: the board moved from preliminary outreach and information-gathering into planning public engagement while also debating transparency: whether emails and other communications received by supervisors are automatically public records and how to balance transparency with protection for individuals who request anonymity.

Public commenters and board members raised questions about what constitutes “correspondence.” A resident asked whether the work session would allow public interaction; a supervisor clarified it would be a work session and not a formal interactive hearing. The county attorney and staff then outlined how Iowa open-records law and the county’s discretion apply: some communications received on county-funded email servers are public record under Iowa Code chapter 22, but certain personal information can be redacted and there is discretion where disclosure would discourage private communications (for example, crime tips).

The board referenced guidance from Erica Equin, executive director of the Iowa Public Information Board, who told supervisors that correspondence is public under chapter 22 but that personal information can be redacted. County attorneys said the office will consult the Public Information Board on specific requests and review records before release. Supervisors agreed to be more mindful in future: when citizens email or text supervisors, staff will ask senders whether they want their correspondence published as part of the public record.

Separately, supervisors discussed the county comprehensive plan’s age — adopted in 1997 — and noted that updating the plan is an option but would be a substantial project. The board reiterated that any amendment to county ordinances (including wind-related rules) would require additional public hearings if the board moves to amend the ordinance following the work session.

The decision items from May 13 were directional: schedule the evening work session, have staff publicize it, confirm room capacity and ask correspondents whether they consent to publication. No ordinance changes or votes on wind permits occurred at the meeting.","Supervisors agreed to hold an evening work session on wind energy to allow more public participation and discussed how county emails, texts and other correspondence should be handled under Iowa open-records rules.",{"_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},6061125,"Des Moines County asks Burlington to address planter sidewalk after fatal fall near sheriff's office",66,708000,774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3286746-be9a3282c9ae4b3306a04f3a510120f8&start=708&end=774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3286746-be9a3282c9ae4b3306a04f3a510120f8/thumbnail_708000.jpg","/articles/6061125/Des-Moines-County/Iowa/Des-Moines-County-asks-Burlington-to-address-planter-sidewalk-after-fatal-fall-near-sheriffs-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061125-27aec239750a00755310f7096f447a1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775062860&Signature=Hafshxw2E6pei88a~rw4r~bB3IeRw8YzabFITNV~qgJWlQwMiL4auL3EAHHtlpAwWKnyXT52Itg-zGnxvXwHEcSbBvLU39DzHrCxwLmERi9ilLrxUYr3JorLU1ArMWTKctmUPum1qPUfxuSlrhNCAu4aknbZ~D3sfmAmC6eEuKJMY6tDxrEpbtu0gsOJoKkuyppmuqX2fxYDMhEsapdxT~xXLFzj~8kPCS-zIDe5Xg-ZlS29bTLdosaqRbMTOK6eY~sf2-j8N81Y8gNCQaBpvu51HKfnbePxB-IAHP-UvCRDZtVe8ddaECWutJco~riR-SujT6TxSYSAggZTIp1xrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors voted May 13 to send a letter to Burlington officials requesting immediate action to address safety hazards in the planter area in front of the sheriff’s office at 512 North Main Street following a recent fatal fall.

Board correspondence, as read at the meeting, said the county “is requesting immediate action…to ensure the safety of those using the sidewalk in front of Des Moines County Sheriff's Department, 512 North Main Street.” The board acknowledged the sidewalk is city property and stated it lacked authority to alter the sidewalk itself, so the letter asked the city to take measures to alleviate the safety issues.

The nut graf: the action puts the county on record asking Burlington to respond after officials and citizens expressed concerns during the sidewalk’s design, construction and after installation. The meeting record also noted the family of the person who fell has submitted a public-records request for video of the incident.

During discussion supervisors confirmed they had raised concerns about the planter during the design and build phases through verbal conversations and some correspondence, but that the project proceeded as the city saw fit. A county representative said the sheriff’s office had been contacted by the decedent’s daughter, who had submitted a records request for video of the incident and had dropped off a thank-you to staff.

The board moved to approve the letter; roll-call votes recorded affirmative responses from supervisors present. No ordinance or county-directed construction action was approved—because the sidewalk is city-owned, the board’s step was to request city action and await the city’s response.

The letter was sent to Burlington city manager and mayor; the board said it looks forward to hearing what steps the city will take to address the safety issues.","The Des Moines County Board approved a letter to the city asking for action to improve sidewalk safety at 512 N. Main St., noting the county’s concern after a recent fatal fall and acknowledging the sidewalk is city property.",{"_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},6061130,"Des Moines County OKs resolution to terminate Southeast Iowa regional mental health agency effective Nov. 30, 2025",232,522000,754000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3286746-be9a3282c9ae4b3306a04f3a510120f8&start=522&end=754","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3286746-be9a3282c9ae4b3306a04f3a510120f8/thumbnail_522000.jpg","/articles/6061130/Des-Moines-County/Iowa/Des-Moines-County-OKs-resolution-to-terminate-Southeast-Iowa-regional-mental-health-agency-effective-Nov-30-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061130-a5c494fc4fcb5f875a963bf69e00b84d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775062860&Signature=oQcv1GXsll0MIN50-bHnQn671nq7IYRGlZf4cbMZBQIHikLCIg2jRoOrEkIIFMxBzGi7iwopWCepfmfgF6UNBInR8fTBsKVYTnLhjdS0RzMZZqdgkF1SjbGHUIfkkzlrUPC0LaKUmLa3~CuN~fbUNLUDfIZdrPLP0tQCODvKpS4so64MVGc17nxx3IGoCFo~fVLkIcuBzIhlVmyGKi6B9TlU3bFKaD-dY3MEwDjwOxs7EznhT73nVqP1wzY1tI1b9m3rWsgkgdF-T827m8GuyM8RgRCc0iM68QQGGUjfWe4k9Tpc~knsR9M1duaN6~ExZQAE2YREBIulJWSfO9EyFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a resolution recognizing changes enacted in House File 2673 and acknowledging regional counties’ decisions to terminate the Mental Health Agency of the Southeast Iowa Region, with the agency’s closeout effective on Nov. 30, 2025.

The resolution, read at the board’s May 13 meeting, cited enactment of “House File 2673, an act related to the state behavioral health, disability and addictive disorder services” and noted the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services’ role in approving the regional closeout. A staff member reading the resolution said the agency would “terminate effective 11/30/2025.”

The nut graf: the vote formalizes the county’s recognition of state-level restructuring of behavioral health services and a coordinated regional decision to end the Southeast Iowa mental health agency. That change follows state legislative action and state agency direction referenced during the meeting.

In discussion before the vote, the resolution text read aloud listed member counties that had voted to approve the termination. The board then moved to approve the resolution; roll call recorded affirmative responses from the supervisors present. The board did not adopt additional implementing language during the meeting, and no amendments to the resolution were proposed on the floor.

The action formally places Des Moines County in step with other member counties responding to the state’s reorganization of behavioral health and disability services. The board did not on May 13 specify follow-up tasks, departmental assignments, or a timetable for transition activities beyond the stated termination date.

Officials at the meeting cited the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services as the state agency overseeing aspects of the transition; the resolution text referenced the enacted House File 2673 as the legislative basis for the changes. The board’s approval is administrative: it recognizes the regional decision and records the county’s position rather than adopting new county-level service structures at this meeting.

Looking ahead, county staff and the Department of Health and Human Services will be responsible for finalizing administrative closeout steps tied to the Nov. 30, 2025 effective date.","The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution acknowledging legislative changes and authorizing termination of the Southeast Iowa regional mental health agency, with the county listing an effective close-out date of Nov. 30, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Des Moines County approves multiple personnel actions including corrections hires and step increases

Des Moines County schedules evening wind-energy work session; supervisors debate how to handle public correspondence

Des Moines County asks Burlington to address planter sidewalk after fatal fall near sheriff's office

Des Moines County OKs resolution to terminate Southeast Iowa regional mental health agency effective Nov. 30, 2025