Des Moines County supervisors approve bond request for new voting machines, several routine county measures

DES MOINES COUNTY, Iowa — The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors on March 25 approved a request to buy new election equipment using bond funding and cleared several routine county items, including a final subdivision plat, a tax abatement for a West Burlington property and multiple personnel actions.

The board voted unanimously to place an order for replacement voting machines and related equipment as part of a bond project. County election staff told the board the county’s current voting equipment is nine years old, was slow at recent elections and suffered mechanical jams; the replacement package quoted $137,070 for 17 new OBOs and 15 OBIs, with a three‑year no‑interest payment option and annual maintenance/licensing estimated at $14,001.65.

The board also approved: - Resolution 2025‑17, final plat approval for a one‑lot parcel in the Rainside subdivision (a grain‑bin/agricultural access parcel). County staff said the lot does not meet standard lot‑size and width requirements but the health department cleared an exception because the lot will host grain storage with no septic needs. The City of Minneapolis submitted a written waiver of formal review under the two‑mile review process. - A tax abatement request from the City of West Burlington for a partial parcel identified as 1035252‑12 (Westland Mall property). The county approved abating the second half of the 2023 real‑estate tax installment and the city asked that 2024 taxes be abated; county staff presented a warranty deed and noted the city acquired the land for a street and expects no income from the parcel. - Personnel and pay‑step items across the correctional center and conservation departments, plus approval of the regular meeting minutes.

Motions were moved and seconded as shown in the meeting record; roll call responses recorded Supervisor Sarah Doty, Supervisor Tom Broger and Supervisor Jim Carrey voting in the affirmative on the listed items.

Why it matters: Replacing the county’s voting equipment is a capital decision carried in the bond program; final plat approvals and tax abatements alter property status and can affect local tax rolls and land use. The actions taken were routine for the board but include a higher‑cost procurement that will be financed over multiple years.

Votes at a glance - Purchase of voting equipment (bond project): outcome — approved. Price quoted $137,070; three‑year no‑interest payment option; annual maintenance/licensing $14,001.65. (Mover/second: not specified in transcript; roll call: Doty — yes; Broger — yes; Carrey — yes.) - Resolution 2025‑17, final plat (Rainside subdivision): outcome — approved. Conditions: lot‑size/width waivers tied to non‑residential grain‑storage use and health‑department concurrence. (Mover/second: motion and second on record; roll call: Doty — yes; Broger — yes; Carrey — yes.) - Zoning amendment request for 10673 Memorial Park Road (rezoning from R‑1 to C‑1): outcome — motion to deny recommended by county planning commission; supervisors moved to deny; motion carried. (Roll call: Doty — yes; Broger — yes; Carrey — yes.) - Tax abatement for parcel in West Burlington (partial 1035252‑12): outcome — approved. (Roll call: Doty — yes; Broger — yes; Carrey — yes.) - Personnel items (correctional center leaves; conservation step increases): outcome — approved. (Roll call: Doty — yes; Broger — yes; Carrey — yes.) - Minutes of the regular meeting: outcome — approved. (Roll call: Doty — yes; Broger — yes; Carrey — yes.)

Document references: the staff report on the rezoning request; the county staff report and conditions for Resolution 2025‑17; warranty deed for the West Burlington parcel; vendor quote and maintenance totals for the election equipment.

Ending — The board did not take any additional, non‑routine policy actions at the meeting; the replacement voting equipment will be included in this year’s bond request and financed as presented.