Des Moines County supervisors set hearing on up to $4.23 million GO loan; approve bridge design work and bond‑counsel engagement
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Summary
The board approved engagement of bond counsel and set an April 7 public hearing on a proposed general‑obligation loan not to exceed $4,227,000 to fund sheriff facility remodels, parking improvements, building repairs, IT and election equipment, insurance and other projects; the board also approved a bridge final‑design supplemental agreement and a bridge‑naming resolution.
Des Moines County supervisors on March 24 approved retention of bond counsel and set a public hearing April 7 on a proposed short‑term general‑obligation loan with an aggregate principal amount of approximately $4,227,000 to pay for parking improvements and a sheriff’s facility remodel, county building repairs, information‑technology and election equipment, insurance and other projects.
The board reviewed a letter from Dorsey & Whitney LLP describing the firm’s role as bond counsel for two proposed notes (series 2026A and 2026B). Chair (reading counsel’s letter) said the “approximate aggregate, principal amount of $4,227,000” and that bond‑counsel fees were expected not to exceed $17,000. The board moved, seconded and approved the engagement.
Why it matters: the loan, if approved following the public hearing and required notices, will provide county cash for a set of capital and operating items the county listed in the draft resolution. The resolution cites Iowa Code sections 331.402, 331.411 and 331.443 as the legal authority for a county‑purpose loan and sets April 7 as the date for a hearing and public notice to be published as required.
Other actions: supervisors also unanimously approved a resolution to memorialize the north‑ and southbound Flint Creek bridges on State Highway 61 in honor of former Iowa Transportation Commissioner Dan Wiedemeyer and approved Supplemental Agreement No. 1 for final design work on a Des Moines County bridge (FHWA project D‑02‑FHWA‑143270). County engineering staff said the supplemental covers roughly $27,800 of remaining engineering work and noted the county has applied for a federal grant that, if awarded, would fund construction; if the grant is not awarded the county will retain final plans for future applications.
What supervisors said: County Engineer Ryan Carter described the bridge work and the grant application, and thanked staff and consultants for moving plans forward. On the loan, the chair read the proposed purposes and asked for motion to approve the bond‑counsel engagement and to set the hearing; motions were moved and seconded and approved by voice roll call.
What’s next: publication of the statutorily required notice and the board’s April 7 public hearing on the loan. If the board moves forward after the hearing, specific loan documents and timing will be determined through the bond‑counsel process.