Worth County discusses possible K-9 hire and routine administrative approvals; several motions approved by voice vote

Worth County Board of Supervisors spent part of its meeting on departmental business including an exploratory discussion about hiring an officer who would bring a certified police canine to the county and several routine approvals.

A department head described an applicant who is a certified K-9 handler and asked whether the board would consider providing county funds to bring the canine to the department. The board discussed operational questions including vehicle kennels (the speaker said a kennel installation could cost about $5,000), cage availability in existing vehicles, camera costs and training/buyout possibilities. The board asked staff to research costs, possible contract terms (including any buyout for a dog supplied by another agency), and any options such as repurposing an existing cage. That discussion was exploratory; no hiring decision or funding commitment was made at the meeting.

In routine business the board approved claims, drainage claims, quarterly reports referenced in the record, and a payroll change for Chief Deputy Dave Ryerson. The board also approved the county’s 2025 ISAC State Association county wellness agreement (described in the record as the same arrangement done annually). Each motion was made and seconded and carried by voice vote; no roll-call tallies or recorded negative votes appear in the meeting transcript.

Other administrative matters discussed included building maintenance items (a thermostat/heater and lighting issues) and a short information exchange about Windows operating-system updates, where staff advised waiting at least 48 hours after update release if users had urgent work scheduled.

Separately, a supervisor reported on a meeting of the North Iowa Children’s Alliance and said the alliance has unused funds earmarked for family-connections work; the board discussed possibly supplementing pay for childcare workers in Worth and Hancock counties similar to a program Mason City had implemented. Board members said they would continue that discussion at a later meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve the agenda and minutes — approved by voice vote. - Motion to approve claims — approved by voice vote. - Motion to approve drainage claims — approved by voice vote. - Motion to approve quarterly reports — approved by voice vote. - Motion to approve payroll change for Dave Ryerson, chief deputy — approved by voice vote. - Motion to approve 2025 ISAC State Association county wellness agreement — approved by voice vote.

No formal votes in the transcript showed recorded “no” votes; motions were carried after members present said “aye.”