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Des Moines County supervisors approve $3.3M in claims, $12,500 housing match and federal bridge agreements
Summary
At their Sept. 17 meeting, the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors approved $3,298,148.56 in accounts‑payable claims, certified a Burlington school election canvass, authorized a $12,500 contribution to the Great River Housing Trust Fund, approved federal aid bridge agreements and handled several personnel and appointment items.
The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 17 approved routine financial claims, a county contribution to a regional housing nonprofit and federal aid agreements for bridge projects, while accepting a resignation and confirming appointments.
Accounts payable claims totaling $3,298,148.56 were presented and approved by the board. The board also approved payroll reimbursement claims of $689.94. The board took those votes by roll call, with each named supervisor recorded as voting in favor.
Auditor Sarah Doty presented the canvas of the Burlington Community School District special election. "Out of 974 votes, 538 voted yes, 436 voted no. So it passed with a 55.24% yes," Doty said; the board moved to certify the canvas and will sign the documents after the meeting.
On housing, the board approved Resolution 2024‑46 authorizing Des Moines County to contribute a $12,500 cash match to the Great River Housing Trust Fund for fiscal year 2026. County staff and supervisors discussed local match strategies and fundraising options; Zach James, Land Use, noted the county has used creative local matching approaches in past years.
Transportation items included approvals of federal‑aid agreements for two bridge projects (a North Gear bridge deck and a Danville Road bridge deck). Brian Carter, Des Moines County engineer, said crews poured a second bridge deck that day and described both projects as roughly "million‑dollar jobs" that will be bid in January.
The board also approved a request from the city of West Burlington to abate 2023 property taxes on several parcels acquired by the city; staff described the request as procedural because the city is not generating income from the parcels.
In personnel and appointments, the board accepted a resignation letter from longtime conservation board member James Garnos, who cited a leukemia diagnosis and hospice care; supervisors expressed appreciation for his years of service. The board appointed Lindsey Freeland to a three‑year term as Concordia Township trustee. The board approved a 30‑month step increase for Marcus Nack, environmental education manager, increasing his salary from $55,036.80 to $56,259.84. Jackie Myers announced she has left the clerk of court post after accepting a district position and introduced Sarah Maddox, who was sworn in Aug. 30 as the new clerk of court.
At the meeting's end, a supervisor requested a closed work session with department heads to develop procedures for handling Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests; county attorneys were asked to review whether a specific requested FOIA closed session would meet legal criteria. The board closed the meeting after a brief public comment period and noted an upcoming work session and project tour with the county engineer.
The board scheduled routine follow‑ups: signing canvass documents, obtaining required signatures on federal aid agreements, and further discussion of FOIA procedures at a future work session.
