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Polk County approves $298,000 for Central Iowa Shelter safety upgrades as shelter caps overnight capacity
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved $298,000 in ERA2 funds for Central Iowa Shelter & Services to address urgent electrical, safety camera and fire-panel repairs. Shelter leaders announced a temporary cap of 150 overnight residents and changes to day services amid rising operating costs.
Polk County supervisors voted to approve $298,000 in ERA2 interest-earning funds to Central Iowa Shelter & Services for immediate safety and code-related repairs, and shelter leaders told the board they will cap overnight capacity and change day-service operations to contain costs.
The approval, listed as Resolution 38a, covers “critical safety infrastructure related to lighting, security cameras and a fire panel” that Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS) said is out of code. The board approved the measure by roll call vote. No public opposition was recorded during the hearing on the item.
CISS representative Melissa said the $298,000 will pay for the three immediate priorities and described why the organization is tightening operations. “Due to financial concerns [we] cap our facility at 150 lives in our building — 100 for men, 50 for women,” Melissa said. She added CISS will maintain an overflow of 20 additional cots for communities with standing agreements: West Des Moines, Clive and Waukee.
Melissa described rising operational costs that factored into the decision. She said in a 10-day winter weather period the shelter incurred $100,500 in extra expenses and that off-duty officers, hired to address behavior and safety, now cost more than $100 per hour. “Escalated costs, escalated need for security as we continue to be here to serve the residents of Polk County,” she said.
Supervisor Angela Connolly said she supports the funding but expressed concern about long-term sustainability and the need for broader contribution from cities. Melissa said the board of directors weighed the decision heavily and that the organization is pursuing both local partnerships and state-level conversations to seek more durable funding. Melissa also said CISS has spent $250,000 year-to-date on prevention, diversion and rapid-resolution funds outside Polk County, including $75,000 in Poweshiek County and $25,000 in Warren County.
CISS detailed program-level costs for supervisors: “Our cost per person is $66 per day,” Melissa said, defining that as the full package — overnight shelter, three meals, case management, job training, laundry and utilities. She said day-service hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free lunch and showers available to unsheltered individuals during those hours; breakfast and dinner will no longer be broadly provided to everyone who is unsheltered.
County staff told the board this is the first phase of capital needs for CISS; supervisors asked staff to return March 25 with cost estimates for a second funding phase covering remaining work. The resolution passed by roll call shortly after the presentation.
The board’s action provides immediate funds for safety-related work but does not commit the county to future phases; supervisors and CISS repeatedly described the matter as an ongoing discussion with further requests possible.
