Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand today (Thursday), released a report on a special investigation of the City of Hastings (in Mills County), for the period covering December 1st, 2018 through May 31st, 2020. The special investigation was requested by City officials as a result of concerns regarding certain financial transactions processed by the former City Clerk, Darren Gray. Sand reported the special investigation identified more than $8,400 worth of improper disbursements and over $3,470 of unsupported disbursements.

The improper disbursements identified include nearly $4,900 worth of unauthorized payroll to Gray and the related City share of the payroll costs. The improper disbursements identified also include over $1,730 worth of improper reimbursements to Gray, and about $1,684 worth of late fees and interest. Auditor Sand says the $3,472 of unsupported disbursements identified includes $1,966 in payments to Darren Gray’s wife, for training she provided to her husband.

Sand reported it was not possible to determine if additional amounts were improperly disbursed or if any collections were not properly deposited because adequate documentation was not available.Sand recommended City officials implement procedures to ensure the City’s internal controls are strengthened, including segregation of duties, performing independent reviews of bank statements, reviewing payroll records, and ensuring all disbursements are properly supported, approved, and paid in a timely manner.

Copies of the report have been filed with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Mills County Attorney’s Office, and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. A copy of the report is available for review on the Auditor of State’s web site at https://www.auditor.iowa.gov/reports/audit-reports/.

(Atlantic, Iowa November 5, 2020) The Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund has awarded $81,500 to demolish six dilapidated houses in three Southwest Iowa communities. The grants include one property in Griswold, two in Red Oak, and three in Villisca. The awards will pay for up to 50% of the actual cost of asbestos testing and removal and demolition, up to a maximum grant of $15,000 per property. In order to qualify, those cities had to take ownership of the property and demonstrate that removal of the property is the best option for the improvement of the neighborhood. The application process is highly competitive as there is a large need throughout the region to remove houses that are beyond repair. Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) administers the housing trust fund.

SWIPCO Executive Director, John McCurdy said “There is a huge unmet need in our region for new and rehabilitated housing, but on the flip side there are many situations where the best thing for a neighborhood is to demolish a dangerous eyesore and move on to better things. We’re proud to have one of the few programs in the state that sets aside funds to do this unglamorous but needed work.”

The Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund serves the counties of Harrison, Shelby, Cass, Montgomery, Page, and Fremont. It is supported by membership dues paid by the participating
counties, by grant funds including from the Iowa Finance Authority, and by revenue generated from loans made to first time homebuyers. The main programs the trust fund carries out include new homeownership grants and loans, housing rehabilitation, and dilapidated property removal. Information about trust fund is available at www.swipco.org under the “Housing” tab.

Police in Creston cited the driver of an SUV, following an accident Wednesday night in the 800 block of Abell Street. Authorities say 17-year old Angel Eduardo Medina, of Creston, was cited for Failure to provide proof of financial liability (insurance), after the 2007 Ford Edge he was driving left the road and struck a dumpster on the Fastenal property. The dumpster was shoved into a parked Fastenal delivery truck. The accident happened at around 10:15-p.m.

Medina told Police he was unable to slow down as he negotiated the curve, which caused him to lose control. Damage from the accident amounted to $5,000 for both the SUV and the Fastenal Company’s 2016 Dodge RAM pickup.

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following a rollover accident Wednesday afternoon, southwest of Panora. Authorities say 17-year old Robert Nathan Martinez, of Jamaica, was traveling west on Soldier Trail at around 4:45-p.m., and was blinded by the sun. The glare caused him to miss a southerly curve in the road. The 2005 Jeep Cherokee he was driving rolled into the north ditch and crashed into a fence, causing $6,000 damage to the SUV, and $350 damage to the fence, owned by John Fisher, of Bayard.

The Audubon Community School District’s Board of Education, Wednesday night, approved, during a Special Session, the Project Plans, Specifications, and Form of Contract (FOC), for the District’s Middle School/High School Renovation Project.

Superintendent Eric Trager…

(Said their action followed a public hearing on the matter, and means the District can put out a Request For Bids. The bid documents will be published and sent out next Tuesday (Nov. 10th). Bid proposals will be due on Dec. 8th.)

This past Spring, District patrons approved a $7.5-million bond issue for the entire project. Mr. Trager said the portion approved Wednesday night (including Design and Engineering) amounts to about $6-million of the total project cost.

He said there were no comments from the public during the meeting, and both he and the Board is happy to keep moving forward with the project.