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Warren County board approves juvenile intervention hires, wastewater associate status, claims and other routine business
Summary
At its Dec. 16 meeting, the Warren County Board of Supervisors approved $735,340.52 in claims, hired additional victim services staff for a juvenile intervention program, approved associate membership in the Des Moines WRA, accepted ARPA-funded building and camera projects, approved fuel quotes and a vehicle title transfer, and adopted a county signage policy.
The Warren County Board of Supervisors, meeting Dec. 16 in Indianola, approved a series of staffing, procurement and administrative measures in addition to adopting zoning ordinance updates.
Claims and personnel: Supervisors approved claims totaling $735,340.52 and voted to hire a driver’s license specialist for the treasurer’s office. The board also approved a request to hire an assistant director of victim services and to convert a legal assistant position from part time to full time in the county attorney’s office, to support a newly described juvenile intervention program.
Juvenile intervention program: County Attorney Doug described the program’s screening-based approach aimed at addressing underlying issues for juveniles (housing or food insecurity, bullying, family needs) rather than relying solely on traditional diversion letters. The county will use a screening tool and weekly team meetings to assess candidates; staff identified partners such as "Sunday Smith" (director of victim services in the county packet) and Kyla Rupiger (assistant director) and community partners (including Sue Wilson) to provide family support and referrals. After discussion and endorsements from local police chiefs who attended a work session, the board voted to approve the staffing changes.
Regional wastewater: County staff recommended joining the Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority as an associate community member; staff said the status carries minimal financial liability, does not make the county responsible for WRA capital contributions or bonds, and allows coordination for possible future wastewater service expansion tied to Greenfield Plaza. The board approved joining as an associate community.
Other actions: The board approved a title transfer of a 2020 Ford F‑150 from the sheriff’s office to maintenance; authorized Secondary Roads’ 2026 fuel quotes (noting vendor margins increased roughly one cent per gallon in several categories); and approved two ARPA-funded projects — tuckpointing at the administration building and camera installation at the County Yard and Conservation areas. A new Warren County signage policy was adopted (approved with one recorded nay). The board received and filed reports from the humane society and recorder.
Supervisor reports and public comment: A supervisor reported on veterans services funding and verification efforts and noted that funeral payments for veterans are capped at $1,900 under state code; a member of the public from Carlisle clarified that historically veterans funds had been used for cemetery stone repair and asked how the changes will affect that practice.
The board set its next meeting for Jan. 6, 2026 in the Indianola boardroom and adjourned.
