Story County environmental health staff report pool inspections, tattoo enforcement and $18,000 private-well grant reallocation

Laura, Story County environmental health staff, told the Board of Supervisors on May 13 that staff are preparing for the summer pool season, continuing enforcement of the county's tattoo program and have received a reallocation of $18,000 for the county's private well grant program.

The quarterly report, presented during the board's agency reports segment, said a hotel pre-opening pool inspection with the state engineer was scheduled this week, indoor pool inspections were underway and outdoor pool inspections would start immediately after Memorial Day. "The outdoor pool in Ames is opening on the 24th," Laura said, adding that the county prefers pools to be open about a week before inspection so staff can confirm chemical reporting and balancing.

The report also described enforcement work around unregistered tattoo artists, especially microblading. Laura said staff had worked with a local business that advertised "mini tattoos" for an anniversary event and helped clarify the distinction between temporary and permanent tattoos so the business would not proceed without permits. "We've been really busy with our tattoo program," she said, noting follow-up at regional tattoo conventions to improve program practices.

Laura told supervisors Story County received a reallocation of $18,000 for its private well grant and emphasized that the county had not previously received reallocated funds for that program. "Story County has never been reallocated money before. That's great. So really excited about that," she said.

The presentation closed with an invitation for questions; no formal board action was recorded on the environmental health items.

The county's environmental health office also noted ongoing work to review potential new land-application sites for DNR approval and plans for regional collaboration on tattoo-program inspections.