Resident tells supervisors the Elevate group home in Indianola has caused safety concerns; board invites follow-up

During the public input portion of the Jan. 8 meeting, resident Kurt Robertson urged the Warren County Board of Supervisors to reconsider a request to allow a fifth occupant at a residential facility in the 700 block of S Y Street operated by Elevate.

Robertson said he and neighbors have observed repeated emergency responses to the facility since September 2025, including incidents where residents banged their heads on a light pole, refused to leave public areas and required ambulance transport. He read employer qualifications and hiring posts he said were from Elevate that list minimal qualifications (driver's license, GED/diploma, and one year of experience in mental health or work with challenging behaviors).

Robertson acknowledged he is not "against the business model" but said residents did not request the facility in their neighborhood. The board chair noted the three-minute public-comment limit and invited Robertson to a work session following the meeting for an informal, time-unlimited discussion.

No formal action was taken on the matter during the regular meeting; the concern was referred to the scheduled work session.