Matt McCoy was elected chair of the Polk County Board of Supervisors for calendar year 2025, and Altringer was chosen as vice chair, the board announced during its organizational meeting. The board approved both leadership resolutions by recorded roll calls.

In extended inaugural remarks, the newly seated chair laid out a series of priorities for the year, emphasizing transparency and fiscal accountability. “Effective immediately, all attachments will be included in our public agendas,” the chair said, adding the board will pursue mechanisms for county employees to offer suggestions and possible incentives for adopted ideas. He framed the move as part of restoring public trust and complying with Iowa’s open meetings law.

The chair also acknowledged recent national events and thanked outgoing chair Angela Conley and re-elected officials Jamie Fitzgerald and Kevin Schneider. He said pandemic-era federal aid — described in the meeting as “nearly a quarter of a $1,000,000,000” — had financed many one-time programs and warned the county will face future budget pressures as that funding wanes.

On routine business, the board approved minutes, the auditor’s bill list and a package of resolutions including a FY2027 service transportation block grant application to the Des Moines Area MPO, agreements related to stream restoration projects with the City of Altoona, lead-hazard repair agreements, and a contract with Iowa Department of Health and Human Services for syndemic prevention outreach and testing services. Item 23, appointing individuals to various boards and commissions, was tabled at a supervisor’s request so nominees could be reviewed.

The meeting closed with thanks to guests and an invitation for coffee and pastries; the chair moved to adjourn and the board approved on a recorded roll call.

Why it matters: Leadership choices set the board’s agenda and procedures for 2025. The chair’s immediate commitment to post attachments to public agendas and to encourage employee-suggested savings signals a push for more openness and fiscal oversight amid shrinking one-time federal resources.

What’s next: Item 23 (appointments to boards and commissions) was tabled and will return at the next meeting for further consideration.