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Residents urge Webster County to address homelessness, report suspicious property solicitations
Summary
Public commenters at the Oct. 21 Webster County meeting thanked election staff, raised concerns about a suspicious property solicitation and pressed the board to act on growing homelessness in Fort Dodge; officials pointed speakers to community resources and recommended law‑enforcement follow up for suspected fraud.
Multiple residents used the public‑comment period at the Webster County Board of Supervisors meeting Oct. 21 to both thank county staff and press the board on community problems.
Jesse Ulrich, president of Iowa Central Community College, thanked Shawna Abrams and the auditor’s office team for running a satellite campus election the prior day and said the staff’s work helped reduce pressure on precincts. "...Shawna's team was proficient professional polite and a well oiled machine," Ulrich said, praising the long hours the team worked.
Janice Link, a Fort Dodge resident, said she received a mailed photo of one of her houses and an unsolicited offer of $5,030,000. Link asked whether property can be taken from an owner without their knowledge. County officials, including the county attorney, advised that property cannot be taken absent fraud or unpaid taxes and suggested checking the Recorder's Office and contacting law enforcement if fraud is suspected. The chair offered to provide a printed list of local resources and pointed Link to the assessor and Recorder offices for follow‑up.
Eugene Newsome told supervisors he is concerned about increasing homelessness in Fort Dodge, reporting people sleeping in downtown areas and empty buildings and warning of exposure risks as winter approaches. Newsome asked whether the board had funds or could coordinate assistance. County officials and the chair replied that multiple community resources exist, including the SALT Center at First Baptist Church (a winter warming center), local shelters and the Fort Dodge Community Foundation resource list; they encouraged donations and volunteering and said they would make a printed list of resources available to Newsome.
None of the public speakers requested formal board action during their comments; board members provided referral information and directed residents to local organizations and law enforcement as appropriate.
What’s next: Residents were advised to contact the Recorder's Office or law enforcement regarding suspected property fraud and to reach out to local shelters or the Fort Dodge Community Foundation for assistance or volunteer opportunities.
