Story County supervisors approve $5,000 to start dehumidification work at shelter; warming center planned in Ames

The Story County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 approved a $5,000 unbudgeted request to begin installing permanent dehumidification in a county shelter’s HVAC system and discussed plans to open a temporary warming center in Ames this weekend.

County staff member Joby told the board the request responds to unusually early and prolonged humidity last year that “created some issues inside the facility” and required extra cleaning. Joby said the county has two units that draw the most outdoor air and asked to start the dehumidification project before the next fiscal year; if approved, he said his FY27 budget request would be reduced by $5,000 for that line item.

The board moved and seconded the item and recorded ayes; the presiding official announced the request was approved. No detailed vendor, timeline or contract information was provided during the meeting.

In other business, the presiding official described coordination among county, city and nonprofit partners to stand up a warming center at First United Methodist Church in downtown Ames for people experiencing homelessness and residents with home heating problems. The presiding official said it “looks like we’re gonna stand up the warming center this weekend” and directed interested volunteers and donors to a landing page, Ameswarming.place, where agencies and the nonprofit Merrill House have posted information.

The board also entered a closed session under Iowa Code §21.5(1)(c) during the meeting; when they returned to open session at 11:04 a.m. no public details were disclosed about the closed session.

Votes at a glance - Agenda adoption: approved (ayes recorded). - Minutes (Jan. 6) approval: approved (ayes recorded). - Personnel actions: approved (ayes recorded). - Claims: approved (ayes recorded). - Consent agenda: approved (ayes recorded). - Dehumidification request: approved (ayes recorded). - Motion to enter closed session under Iowa Code §21.5(1)(c): approved (ayes recorded).

What’s next The dehumidification approval authorizes the county to begin the project; Joby stated the FY27 budget request will be reduced by $5,000 to reflect the work started now. The warming center effort is organized by multiple government and nonprofit partners and, per the presiding official, may be activated this weekend depending on weather and partner readiness.