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Pottawattamie County board approves WIDA funding, veterans aid changes, development incentive and several appointments
Summary
The board approved a funding allocation for Western Iowa Development (WIDA), a $35,000 forgiveness tied to Stony Brook East Phase 1, updated veterans assistance guidelines allowing up to $1,000 per year, dissolved the county's 28E administrative agreement for the Southwest Iowa MHDS region effective Dec. 31, and appointed Kim Preston to the civil service commission.
The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors approved a series of funding and administrative actions, including a WIDA funding allocation, a development incentive forgiveness, changes to veterans assistance and several administrative appointments.
In a vote taken after a presentation from Stacy Kinney, executive director of Western Iowa Development (WIDA), the board approved a funding request intended to support WIDA’s countywide programs, including marketing, professional photography, the Passport program and small-business outreach. The funding amount was discussed as $60,000 in presentation materials; during the meeting a speaker read the figure as $60,008.08 and indicated the funds would come from gaming revenue. The motion to provide the funding was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.
The board also approved a developer-related action for Stony Brook East Phase 1. Matt Wyand, director of planning and development, said 9 of 12 lots are sold and one certificate of occupancy was issued for 15050 Stone Ridge Lane; under the developer agreement the certificate triggers forgiveness of $35,000 of a forgivable note. The board moved and seconded approval for the auditor to sign off on that forgiveness and approved it by voice vote.
Suzanne Watson, director of community services, briefed the board on the dissolution of the 28E regional agreement that formerly created the Southwest Iowa MHDS region. The region’s governing board dissolved the agreement last month and Watson asked the county to dissolve the administrative agreement effective Dec. 31, 2025, noting two outstanding audit bills for FY24 and FY25 and that remaining state funds will be returned to the state when accounts are closed.
Peggy Becker, administrator of veteran services, and Commissioner David Hazelwood presented an update to veterans assistance guidelines that raises the office’s short-term assistance limit to $1,000 per year for rent or utilities, including past-due amounts, to help prevent service shutoffs. Presenters said the change aligns with Iowa Code requirements and will allow the office to help more veterans.
The board also approved the appointment of Kim Preston to the three-member civil service commission for a six-year term following a prior interview of the candidate.
What this means: The WIDA allocation and marketing initiatives are intended to bolster small rural businesses and tourism across the county; the Stony Brook action finalizes a previously negotiated forgivable loan tied to homebuilding; the MHDS dissolution begins an administrative wind-down with state reporting and transfer of residual funds; and the veterans policy change expands short-term financial assistance available to veterans.
