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Polk County supervisors reject RFP authorization for seven new county-built homes; approve emergency refugee funding and land conveyance
Summary
The Polk County Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 against approving plans and estimated cost to issue an RFP to build seven single-family homes, while separately approving land conveyance to Bondurant and emergency one-time funding to help resettlement agencies serve incoming refugees after a federal stop‑work order.
Polk County supervisors on Monday narrowly declined to authorize the county to issue bids to build seven single‑family homes, but approved a series of other measures including a land conveyance to the City of Bondurant and emergency funding to support refugee resettlement organizations.
The split vote came after a public hearing and extended discussion about whether the county should directly build units or distribute funds more broadly. The motion tied to Resolution No. 6 — approving plans, specifications, form of contract and an estimated cost to construct seven homes on county-owned lots — failed 3–2. Supervisors Holm, Altringer and McCoy voted no; Supervisors Hawkinsmith and Connolly voted yes.
Advocates urged the board to move forward. "We had more than 1,000 people knocking on our door last year," Lance Henning of Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity told the board during the public hearing, urging supervisors to expand housing supply to address cost burdens and overcrowding.…
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