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KCED: Keota daycare advances; Sigourney explores options as city eyes reduced wastewater testing
Summary
Keokuk County Economic Development told the Sigourney council that Keota is moving toward opening a daycare in its elementary school and that Sigourney faces higher overhead; Public Works reported reduced wastewater sampling starting in May to lower costs.
At the April 16 Sigourney City Council meeting, Council member Iosbaker, speaking as KCED Director, reported progress on a Keota community effort to open a daycare in Keota Elementary School and said stakeholders plan fundraising activities for late May. “Keota is very committed now to opening up a daycare center in the Keota Elementary School... I’m very optimistic that things are going to move forward,” Iosbaker said. He added that Sigourney faces greater financial and overhead challenges and that KCED will explore alternative approaches and reach out to nearby districts and potential partners.
Iosbaker also said KCED is planning informational speakers for local businesses on using artificial intelligence for marketing and business development, citing contacts at William Penn and Iowa State University.
Public Works Director Don Northup reported that the city’s wastewater sampling regime will change; Northup said monthly sampling "has been cut in half" and that the city will move to testing once a week beginning in May 2025, a change the minutes say will reduce monthly costs. The council did not record further discussion on the technical details in the minutes; the change was presented as a routine operational adjustment.
Separately, the HR committee recommended cutting the office assistant position from full-time to part-time (16–20 hours per week) because of reduced workload; the council approved the change and retained a city contribution of 80% toward dental and vision insurance.
