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Dallas County abates Van Meter school taxes, approves geothermal consulting contract and awards opioid funds to WesleyLife
Summary
At its May 19 meeting Dallas County’s Board of Supervisors abated $6,587 in parcel taxes for the Van Meter Community School District, approved a geothermal consulting agreement with Afton Energy (success fee 15%), and authorized opioid settlement funding of $58,116.43 to WesleyLife for end-of-life disposal and education programs.
The Dallas County Board of Supervisors on May 19 approved several administrative resolutions: a tax abatement request from Van Meter Community School District, a geothermal consultation services agreement with Afton Energy, and a funding recommendation from the Opioid Settlement Oversight Committee for a WesleyLife program.
Tax abatement: The board voted to abate real estate taxes and penalties totaling $6,587.00 for parcels associated with the Van Meter Community School District under Iowa Code §445.63 after staff documented the district’s ownership and a request from Van Meter city officials that they would not pay. Tax Administrator Nolen Schultz’s memo itemized amounts per parcel and recommended abatement; County Auditor Todd Halbur attested to the resolution.
Geothermal consulting agreement: By Resolution 2026-0066 the board authorized entering a Geothermal Consultation and Services Agreement with Afton Energy, LLC to pursue federal funding and provide grant-application and IRS Section 48 guidance for a geothermal system at the Secondary Roads Administration addition. The contract text included services such as cost‑schedules, Section 48 compliance review and grant application support. The agreement carries a stated initial fee of $0 and a success fee equal to 15% of any total award when grant funds are received.
Opioid settlement funds: The Board accepted a recommendation from the Opioid Settlement Oversight Committee to fund WesleyLife’s Home and Community Based Services proposal with $58,116.43 from the county’s opioid settlement account. The appropriation is to support safe disposal of unused opioid prescriptions at end of life and provider education to reduce prescriptions in palliative care; the Oversight Committee will provide quarterly expenditure reports to the Board.
What this means: The tax abatement clears outstanding taxes on school-owned parcels per the county treasurer’s and tax administrator’s documentation. The Afton agreement authorizes staff to pursue renewable-energy grant opportunities but ties payment to the county’s success in receiving awards. The opioid settlement award funds a health‑program pilot aimed at prevention and safe disposal.
