IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa public health officials have selected Microsoft to develop an online vaccine scheduling system as they seek to improve the state’s low national rankings for the rate of doses administered. The Iowa Department of Public Health on Monday posted notice online that it intends to award an emergency contract to the well-known software company. The agency told bidders that it would award a separate contract to run a vaccine call center later this week.

The selection of Microsoft came after the agency last week gave potential bidders one day to respond to an emergency request for proposals seeking work.

The Audubon City Council held their regular monthly meeting, Monday evening. City Clerk Joe Foran says they held a Public Hearing on the Maximum Tax Levy, during which there were no comments from the public.

Foran said the maximum amount is $928,324. That breaks down to an overall levy of $20.63 per thousand dollars valuation. He said also, the City of Audubon is looking at changing its ordinance and setting fees for fire service charges.

The fees will help to pay for bunker gear and other necessary equipment. The fee will based upon a schedule that covers the type of service provided.

The Council set their next meeting on March 8^th as a Public Hearing on the FY22 Budget. Joe Foran says in other business, the Council approved the bid letting for the water project, awarded the mowing and cemetery contracts that were coming due, and passed a Resolution setting the policy and fees for Police information. And, the Audubon City Council appointed Tracey Armentrout to the Board of Adjustment.

Creston Police say a woman reported Monday morning, that sometime overnight Sunday into early Monday morning, someone broke the door handle off of her vehicle, while it was parked in front of the woman’s residence, located in the 1500 block of N. Lincoln Street. The damage was estimated at $70.

The Atlantic Public Library’s Board of Trustees met via Zoom Monday evening. During their session, the Board reviewed and approved the library’s revised “Sex Offender against Minors Policy”. According to State law, a sex offender is not allowed on the property – period. The only change to the local policy, was removing the word “Loiter,” because it is redundant.

The Board also discussed future capital improvements. Library Director Michelle Andersen said she thought of some more items to put on their list, as money allows.

(The meeting room, and window shades to eliminate glare on the computer screens are some of the top 5.)

Andersen said she asked her staff what their Top 5 items they’d like to have done, and prioritize their lists. She told them in advance not to include computer cables, because she has already written a grant for that. The big 3 include redoing the OPAC [Online Public Access Catalog] station, a new circulation desk, paint and flooring. A drinking fountain replacement will eventually be in the operating budget – just not this year. The fountain in question has a bit of “Constant dribble.” It doesn’t run onto the floor, but it does tend to run to the drain.

Andersen is applying for various grants to help with some projects, such as the paint and flooring. She told the Trustees that even with generous donations from local organizations, funding is being reduced for their summer programs. She says they will try and live with just a little slimmer budget. She said also Cass County Libraries are exploring together, is the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which sends an age appropriate book each month to children, until their 5^th birthday. The program will cost an estimated $1,000 to $2,000 the first year. By the time they been in it for 5 to- 6 years, the cost will likely be around $10,000-$12,000.

The program is not to be ready ready until sometime next year.