(Radio Iowa) – A three-member state panel agrees the Iowa economy is headed in a positive direction, but the group cautions state tax revenue won’t quite rebound to pre-pandemic levels over the next three quarters. Holly Lyons of the Iowa Legislative Services Agency says the pandemic and damage from the derecho as well as uncertainty about the election and another federal stimulus payments are all a drag on the Iowa economy. “How do you adjust to an ever-changing situation where the new normal seems to be indefinite uncertainty?” Lyons asks.

Lyons and two other members of the Revenue Estimating Conference predict state tax collections will be down two-tenths of a percent in the current state fiscal year. David Roederer, the governor’s budget director, says there are modest signs of strength in Iowa’s economy, helped by the unprecedented six BILLION dollars in direct federal aid to Iowa businesses. “I think the key is at what pace will the economy reenergize and rebound from a pandemic that refuses to leave us or be vaccinated away,” Roederer says. “All wonder when our lives are going to get back to normal, but maybe better yet how are we even going to define normal.”

David Underwood, a C-P-A from Clear Lake, says there’s reason for optimism. “The adaptability of Iowa’s businesses and non-profit organizations to adapt to the new abnormal has just been tremendous,” Underwood says. The group acknowledges losses in the restaurant, bar and hospitality industry, but cites increases in e-commerce and spending to outfit home offices. The panel predicts state tax revenue will surge four percent higher in the NEXT state fiscal year.

Officials with the Creston Police Department Wednesday (today), report the arrest at around 5:40-p.m. Tuesday, of 32-year old Corry D. Johnston, from Creston. Johnston was arrested in the 800 block of Laurel Street, on the charges that include Driving While Barred and Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense. He was later released from the Union County Jail on a $3000 bond.

The Atlantic School Board will hold their regular monthly session in-person this (Wednesday) evening, in the High School Media Center. The session begins at 6-p.m., and will include a Special Presentation from ACSD Technology Coordinator Roger Warne, with regard to a Connectivity Update for the District’s online students and others. The Board will also receive an update on the District’s Athletic Facilities.

Superintendent Steve Barber said Tuesday that because construction work continues on the all-surface four-lane track that surrounds the playing field in the Trojan Bowl, the Bowl will be closed to the public from today (Wednesday, October 14), to Tuesday, October 20th. The new asphalt has cured, and now it’s up to crews from Midwest Tennis and Track to finish the work. Construction continues as well on the baseball and softball fields, the soccer field, and track at the high school.

The Atlantic School Board will also consider and act on the purchase of an Summer/Winter Operations and Maintenance vehicle from Deter Motor Company. The one-ton pickup will support the district’s snow plow and salt/gravel applicator. The truck comes with a price tag of $29,165. Superintendent Barber says if the Board approves the truck purchase, the District will need to purchase a flatbed that would support the salt applicator as well as grounds work in the summer.

In other business, the Board will discuss and act on:

• SBRC (School Budget Review Committee) Modified Supplemental Amounts for a Special Education Deficit ($639,584) and LEP (Limited English Proficiency) Excess Costs ($71,601).
• Appointing a representative for the IASB Delegate Assembly on Nov. 17th
• A pay application for work completed on the Atlantic Athletic Facilities Project ($613,816.55).
• Proposal requests with regard to the Athletic Facilities Project (credit for not installing a conduit for internet connections [wireless will be used instead]; changes required for the USTA grant (re: tennis courts)
• and, 13 TLC Facilitator contracts (@ $2,500 stipend per employee, plus FICA/IPERs). According to Mr. Barber, approving the contracts would allow the district to meet its goal of having 25% of the teaching staff serve in a leadership position.

Montgomery County Auditor Stephanie Burke, Tuesday, released information with regard to applicants to be considered for the District 1 Montgomery County Supervisor’s seat. Burke says according to the Code of Iowa, the Montgomery County Auditor, Recorder and Treasurer (Supervisor Appointing Committee) intend to make an appointment to fill the vacancy in the office of Montgomery County Supervisor District 1 at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, in the basement meeting room at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Red Oak.

Burke says the following candidates will be considered, as they submitted all the requirements by the deadline of 4:30 p.m. on October 13th:

• Steven Berendes
• Steven Masters
• Troy Preston
• Charla Schmid.

Interviews of all eligible candidates will be conducted by the SAC 5:30-p.m. October 20th,  in the courtroom at the Courthouse in Red Oak. The meeting will be open to the public and also available via Zoom.

The appointment made by the committee on October 21st, will be valid until January 1, 2023. The citizens of Montgomery County may request a special election to fill the vacancy by filing a petition with the Montgomery County Auditor containing 80 signatures of eligible electors within 14 days after the publication of notice, or within 14 days after the appointment is made.