Supervisors discuss 2025 community guide advertising; department heads report on elections, FEMA projects and Alert Iowa sign-ups

The Osceola County Board of Supervisors discussed whether the county should place an informational advertisement in the 2025 Osceola County Community Guide and received routine department-head updates at its Sept. 9 meeting.

On the community guide, board members said any county-funded advertisement must identify a public purpose. Supervisor Corey said he plans to place a small ad in the guide; a supervisor suggested the county could provide an opening welcome letter "coming from the supervisors" rather than pay for an ad. Jeff (staff) offered to draft or revamp that welcome letter. The transcript does not record a final decision or vote on spending for the community guide; the outcome of the advertising discussion was not specified.

Department reports and items of operational note included:

- Elections: Officials reminded the public that the filing deadline for city and school candidates is Sept. 18 and that city elections are upcoming; local polling places and senior center locations were noted.

- Emergency management/FEMA projects: Two FEMA projects have been obligated and are moving through the system; the Oakville culvert project was reported complete and open to traffic. One road remained closed because of a washed-out bridge near Poe. An asphalt paving project south of Sibley is expected to start in October, though the contractor had not committed to that start date.

- Public works and equipment: The county took possession of a new maintainer budgeted in the current fiscal year. The county's annual report was accepted by the state Department of Transportation, the report said.

- Planning/Zoning: Staff noted a rezoning request (west of Harris) will be before the planning commission to rezone a parcel from agricultural to rural residential to allow a lot split.

- Parks and conservation: Hunting seasons and campgrounds were reported active and busy; the Hawkeye Point silos painting project was reported as starting.

- Staffing and training: Departments reported progress on backlogs and plans to hire a part-time staff person by the end of the week; several staff members will attend training in October and November. Emergency management staff reported outreach events and an active-shooter training scheduled with outside assistance.

- Alert Iowa and taxes: Emergency management reported 174 public sign-ups for Alert Iowa and said county staff were distributing flyers to increase participation. County tax collection staff reminded residents that taxes are due Sept. 30.

The board approved routine meeting business earlier in the session, including the agenda and the Aug. 26 minutes by voice vote. The transcript records motions to approve the agenda (moved by Supervisor Deborah, supported by Supervisor Lawring) and to approve the minutes (moved by Supervisor Helmer, supported by Supervisor Deborah); both were recorded as approved by the board in open session.

No formal policy decisions, budget appropriations, or ordinance adoptions relating to these departmental items were recorded in open session at this meeting; where next steps or formal votes are required (for example, any purchase or advertising expenditure), the transcript does not record the final action.