Pottawattamie County moves to issue up to $6 million in bonds for emergency communications upgrades
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Summary
The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 24 instituted proceedings and authorized the issuance of up to $6 million in general obligation capital loan notes to fund peace officer equipment and emergency communications systems, with a multi‑year levy schedule. Supervisor Tim Wichman cast the lone dissent on both measures.
Pottawattamie County supervisors on Feb. 24 moved to finance upgrades to county emergency communications by instituting proceedings and authorizing the issuance of up to $6,000,000 in general obligation capital loan notes.
Supervisor Susan Miller moved to open a public hearing on the proposed loan agreement and note issuance; Supervisor Tim Wichman seconded and the hearing was closed after no substantive public objections. The board then approved Resolution No. 18‑2026 to institute proceedings and later approved Resolution No. 15‑2026 to authorize issuance of $6,000,000 General Obligation Capital Loan Notes, Series 2026.
The resolutions state the funds will be used to pay costs of acquisition, construction and installation of peace officer equipment and other emergency services communication equipment and systems, including new towers, equipment, microwave links and consoles. The measures cite Iowa Code Sections 331.402 and 331.443 and Iowa Code Section 76.2; the instituting resolution also references Treasury Regulation 1.150‑2.
The board recorded roll‑call votes on the measures. On final passage of the authorization (Resolution No. 15‑2026) the roll call was recorded as AYES: Brian Shea (Chair); Susan Miller (Supervisor); Keith Jones (Supervisor); NAY: Tim Wichman (Supervisor); ABSENT: Jeff Jorgensen (Supervisor). The same voting pattern was recorded for the instituting resolution. Motion to institute proceedings was moved by Miller and the authorization motion was moved by Keith Jones; both carried despite Wichman’s opposition.
The resolution establishes an annual levy schedule to provide funds for principal and interest, with specific levy amounts listed per fiscal year in the resolution; the published levy amounts include $1,210,000 for fiscal year 2026–2027, $1,192,000 for 2027–2028 and smaller levies in later years as set in the resolution. The county auditor will levy, assess and collect the tax under Iowa Code Section 76.2, and the board noted it will file an amended resolution after the terms of the eventual note sale are finalized.
Board Chair Brian Shea signed the resolutions and Deputy Auditor Jamie Behrends attested the record. Next procedural steps include completing the sale of the notes and filing required documents with the County Auditor; the resolutions allow the board to advance general fund moneys for capital expenditures with reimbursement from the note proceeds within the regulatory reimbursement period.
Why it matters: The measures fund upgrades to communications and officer equipment that county officials describe as essential to emergency services. The financing will be repaid via an annual tax levy established by the board and collected through the county auditor under state law.
What’s next: The board authorized filing of the necessary resolutions and will proceed with the sale of the notes; the levy schedule may be amended once sale terms are set.