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Atlantic School Board holds 1st hearings on School Budget & Calendar; Proposed Tax rate declines slightly

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education held the first of two hearings on both the 2024-25 Proposed District Budget, as published, and the proposed 2024-25 School Calendar.

During the Budget Hearing, only one Atlantic resident, Barbara Stensvad spoke in opposition to the proposed budget. Stensvad said she’s lived in Atlantic for nearly 35 years, and owns two properties, including a B&B. “I consented, however many decades ago, to have my taxes increased for the building of [the High School]. I also agreed to have my taxes increased for our new quarter-of-a million dollar fire engine, so I’m not always ‘anti-tax.”

She said however, “I significantly protest an increase in ANY of this property tax, starting for the Fiscal Year of July 1, 2024. My property taxes have already been escalating over the decade. I feel that there are already too many taxes burdening the residents of Atlantic: The State Sales Tax; The Local Option Sales Tax; The Lodging Tax; The Department of Transportation Tax; Fuel Taxes; Utility Taxes; Storm Water Tax; Employment Tax; Death and Inheritance Taxes.”

Stansvad said “Once taxes are instituted, they are always increasing and never retired. The policy of ‘Tax and Spend’ must stop. The rational of living within your means must be observed.” She concluded by saying, “It’s saddens me that nobody else is here” (to voice their concerns and opinions).

Atlantic resident Barbara Stensvad objects to the proposed ACSD Budget.

Board President Kristy Pellett reminded patrons of the District that there will be a second hearing on the Budget before it is passed.

There were no public comments during a hearing on the school calendar. Following the hearings, the Atlantic School Board went into a Work Session, during which they heard from District Maintenance Director, Russell Peck, with regard to Summer Projects. The Board discussed Summer Programs, and heard information with regard to the District’s Management, SAVE, PPEL and Debt Service Funds, and their respective functions.

Director of Finance/Board Secretary Lisa Jones reported that, as a result of a 2.5% increase for schools approved Wednesday by the Iowa Legislature, the District’s Property Tax asking (Levy) will be down slightly from the previously published rate of $12.92538/$1,000 assessed valuation. The new proposed rate is $12.91524/$1,000, a difference of $5,700.

The Board’s next REGULAR meeting is at 5:30-p.m. on April 10th, in the High School Media Center.

Panel urged to investigate alleged open meetings violations by City of Davenport

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Two private citizens and the Iowa Freedom of Information Council are asking the legislature to investigate Davenport’s refusal to provide information about settlements with three city employees. Davenport is suing to prevent the State Auditor from getting access to documents related to the nearly two-million dollars worth of settlements agreed to before the Davenport City Council met in public to approve the payouts. Michael Meloy is an attorney for a Davenport man who’s also being sued by the city over his attempt to obtain public records.

“Something doesn’t smell right here, ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “Why is the city fighting so hard to keep these matters from the public eye?” This past fall, the city attorney signed off on settlements with two city employees in September and another settlement in October for the city administrator. All are related to alleged workplace harassment, but the settlements were not announced by the city until late November.

Iowa Freedom of Information Council executive director Randy Evans says these details should trouble every Iowa citizen — and every legislator. “In the city election in November, Davenport voters reelected the incumbent mayor and two incumbent members of the city council,” Evans says. “We will never know if the results of that election would have been different had voters know before they went to the polls that their city council had supposedly consented to these $2 million in lucrative settlements.”

David Sidran, of Davenport, is being sued by the city for asking for a document written by the city administrator that’s related to her settlement. “I just had the audacity to legally request a document and I was sued by the city where I live,” he said.

Members of the House Oversight Committee say these alleged violations of Iowa’s open meetings and open records law are horrific, disgusting and disturbing and the panel will decide later whether to launch an investigation. A spokesperson for the City of Davenport declined to comment.

Fertilizer killed more than 750,000 fish in Nishnabotna

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – A fertilizer spill this month in southwest Iowa killed nearly all the fish in a 60-mile stretch of river with an estimated death toll of more than 750,000, according to Iowa and Missouri conservation officers.  That is the biggest fish kill in Iowa in at least a decade and the fifth-largest on record, according to state data. And it could have been worse: Fish populations were likely smaller than normal when the spill happened because of cold water temperatures and low river flows.

The spill originated at NEW Cooperative in Red Oak, where a valve that either malfunctioned or was not properly closed leaked about 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer, most of which went into the nearby East Nishnabotna River. The leak happened on a weekend from March 9 to 11 in an area where the fertilizer is distributed to customers of the farmers’ co-op. That area is not required by state rules to have barriers that would prevent a leak from reaching the river. The result was a widespread annihilation of aquatic life.

A DNR investigation found dead or dying fish for 50 miles of river — beyond where the East and West Nishnabotnas meet — all the way to the Missouri border. There were also numerous dead frogs, snakes, mussels and earthworms. The DNR will return in late spring to note whether the fertilizer killed turtles that had buried themselves in the river bottom for winter. Their bloated carcasses will float to the river surface.

The carnage continued into Missouri, where the unified Nishnabotna River flows for about 10 miles before it meets the Missouri River. Matt Combes, a science unit supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said there was “a near total fish kill” in that state. The department surveyed one bank of the river for about two miles and counted nearly 4,000 dead fish. It will use that sample to estimate the total number of fish that were killed, which will likely be in the tens of thousands. The department is continuing to monitor the Missouri and Nishnabotna rivers for additional effects from the contamination. It’s possible NEW Cooperative will face sanctions in both states.

NEW Cooperative spill

The size of the fish kill in Iowa was estimated to be about 749,000, said Chris Larson, a fisheries supervisor for the DNR. Small fish such as minnows and chubs account for the vast majority of those fish, but among them were also about 7,700 channel catfish that anglers target.

Those who are responsible for fish kills typically pay restitution to the state based on the number and types of fish that die. Larson said a total restitution amount has not yet been solidified, but that the estimated value of the small fish is about $85,000. The value of the catfish would be about $115,000. Those two figures combined would be the largest valuation for a documented Iowa fish kill, according to DNR data.

Others that have caused recent fish kills have typically paid fish restitutions and a fines of up to $10,000 — the maximum the DNR can order administratively. The department has the option to seek higher penalties in district court.

Governor signs AEA overhaul, teacher pay raises into law

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that raises teacher salaries, increases general state spending for schools and overhauls Iowa’s Area Education Agencies.

“Some schools haven’t used some of the AEA services, despite being forced to pay for them,” Reynolds said. “Others have felt that they didn’t receive the quality that they expect.”

The new law puts local districts in control of some funding that currently flows directly to the AEAs and gives state officials more authority to oversee special education. Schools will still be required to use the AEA’s special education consultants, but districts will be able to spend 10 percent of their special education allotment elsewhere, plus districts will have the option of redirecting money that currently pays for other AEA services, like teacher training.

“Since 2018, the U.S. Department of Education has designated Iowa as ‘needs assistance’ to meet the requirements of federal law related to special education,” Reynolds said. “…This legislation intends to resolve these issues.”

Reynolds held a ceremony in her capitol office and was surrounding by Republican legislators and key staff as she signed the bill into law. House Education Committee chairman Skyler Wheeler, a Republican from Hull, helped lead House negotiations with educators, parents and advocates for both large and small schools that resulted in changes to the governor’s original bill.

“We held numerous meetings with everyone and worked with all sides to come to an agreement that is a win for education in our state,” Wheeler said.

Senate Education Committee chairman Ken Rozenboom, a Republican from Oskaloosa, said the fee-for-service model in the new law provides accountability and transparency and gives schools a way to judge the value of AEA services.

Governor Reynolds signs HF2612 into law on March 27, 2024. (RI photo)

“The AEAs have done a tremendous amount of good for many, many years in Iowa and all of us are appreciative of that,” Rozenboom said, “but the world has changed since the AEAs were created in 1974 and reform is needed.”

House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst said the new law is universally unpopular and it will be an issue for voters in November. “Think about the fmailies who have so much uncertainty now as they’re wondering about what will happen to the services in their communities,” Konfrst said. “What will happen to their kids who are getting AEA services? There are so many questions.”

Other elements of the new law will raise beginning teacher pay to $50,000 within two years and veteran teachers must be paid at least $62,000 a year if they’ve been teaching for at least 12 years. Paraeducators are to get raises as well.

Donations today can help the Red Cross aid disaster victims

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Today marks the tenth annual American Red Cross Giving Day, where the agency recognizes people who make its mission possible — volunteers, blood donors, people trained in lifesaving skills, and supporters.

Emily Holley, spokeswoman for the Red Cross’ Nebraska-Iowa Region, says they’re also asking for donations in order to continue offering help to people who urgently need it.

“The money that we’re raising today is going into the disaster fund which is going to help support those who are affected by disasters,” Holley says. “Every eight minutes, Red Cross volunteers respond to a disaster here in the United States and their support is critical.”

Home fires are the most common disaster in Iowa and nationwide. In 2023, Holley says the Red Cross responded to 662 home fires throughout Iowa and provided assistance to 2,275 people.

(Red Cross photo)

“We give all sorts of assistance to those who are affected by home fires,” Holley says. “We make sure that their immediate needs are being met by ensuring that they have a safe place to stay and food to eat.”

She says any size of gift is welcome and it will help to provide emergency shelter, hot meals, relief items, emotional support and other assistance to people in need.

“$150 provides a full day of food and shelter for three people,” Holley says. “$200 will cover the daily cost to deploy an emergency response vehicle to a disaster scene.”

All gifts are tax deductible and she notes the Red Cross is 90-percent volunteer run.

Appeals Court rules man accused of pork plant murder not competent to stand trial

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Court of Appeals says a man accused of murdering a coworker at a packing plant in Wright County is not yet competent to stand trial. Lukouxs Brown was charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing co-worker, Wayne Smith at the Prestage pork plant near Eagle Grove in 2021. He was treated for schizophrenia at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center, but after several months was declared still not competent for trial.

The state brought in an outside expert for a second opinion, and the expert found Brown was competent. The Iowa Court of Appeals ruling says opinions of the experts at the classification center hold more weight, and the district court erred in determining that Brown’s trial could proceed.

The ruling says Brown is making progress in regaining competency and the criminal proceedings are suspended indefinitely.

Wastewater discharge in Jones County reaches Wapsipinicon River

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a wastewater discharge at the City of Anamosa in Jones County.  On March 27, the DNR Manchester Field Office was notified by the City of Anamosa of a wastewater discharge due to equipment failure at the wastewater plant lift station.  The discharge was discovered at approximately 8:15 a.m. It is estimated that up to 50,000 gallons of untreated sewage flowed into a storm drain leading to the Wapsipinicon River. City officials say the bypass has been corrected, and cleanup efforts have begun.

Any downstream recreational users should take caution and stay out of the river at this time. No dead fish have been observed at this time. The Iowa DNR will follow up with the city for further assessment.

To report a release after hours, please call the DNR’s emergency spill line at (515) 725-8694. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of an incident. The DNR website has more information about spill reporting requirements.

Three Iowa tickets were one number short of Mega Millions jackpot

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – One of the big lotto jackpot runs has ended after a ticket bought in New Jersey had the winning numbers for the one-point-one BILLION dollar Mega Millions drawing. Iowa Lottery spokesperson Mary Neubauer says three Iowa tickets were one number away from getting a share of that prize. The Powerball jackpot for tonight’s (Wednesday) drawing is estimated to be 865 million for the long-term annuity payout, or 416 million dollars for the lump sum option. Neubauer says the two payout options are often misunderstood. “One of the urban myths associated with the jackpots in Powerball and Mega Millions is that the cash amount is the jackpot amount minus taxes. And that’s definitely not the case,” Neubauer says. She says the amount of the jackpot does not immediately include the subtraction of taxes.

“The cash amount, if you take that option, is the amount that’s on hand in the jackpot pool from the sale of tickets at the moment that the jackpot was won,” Neubauer says. “If you take the annuitized payments over time, you get that cash amount that was on hand from the sale of tickets, plus all of the interest that would be built up over the 29 years that you would be receiving payments.” Neubauer says taxes are taken out after you decide which payout option you will receive. She says that is why they always advise winners of bigger jackpots to consult a financial advisor.

“There are so many decisions that would come along with claiming a prize of this amount and we would just want to make sure that people have their questions answered before they come forward. Definitely a life-changing amount of money, she says. The three near miss Mega Millions tickets matched four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball in Tuesday’s drawing. One of those tickets is worth 10-thousand dollars and the other two used the multiplier and are worth 20-thousand dollars.

The deadline for purchasing a Powerball ticket for tonight’s drawing is 8:59 p-m.

Adair County Supervisors hold Proposed Tax levy hearing & approves a 28-E agreement w/Heart of IA

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing this (Wednesday) morning on the County’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Property Tax Levy. The Board was asked by a member of the audience attending the hearing, why the taxing entity breakdown for which was sent to property owners in the County, was needed. Board Chair Jerry Walker and Auditor Mandy Berg offered these reasons, which basically boils down to: the State ordered it to be done that way.

It’s an unfunded mandate that cost the County. Supervisor Jodie Hoadley….

After the Public Hearing was adjourned, the Adair County Board of Supervisors held their regular, weekly meeting, during which they set the date/time for a Public Hearing on the FY 25 Budget, as 9:15-a.m., April 17th, as part of the regular Board meeting. They also approved a 28-E (Cost sharing) Agreement to join the Heart of Iowa Mental Health Region. Supervisor Jodie Hoadley was not in favor of the arrangement, but voted for it in the end.

Gov. Kim Reynolds’ proposal would consolidate the state’s 32 mental health and substance abuse regions into seven unified behavioral health districts. Rachel Cecil, with Heart of Iowa Community Services said a bill consolidating Mental Health regions has not yet come before the Governor to sign, because there are still many unanswered questions.

The Adair County Supervisors approved the Secondary Roads Dept. DOT budget and five-year Construction Program, beginning in FY25. They awarded: a Farm-to-Market (FM) rock contract to Schildberg Construction, in the amount of $249,862.80, which was slightly under the Engineer’s estimate; a granular surfacing contract to Gus Construction in the amount of $464,046, for FY24 FM road(s), and an N-36 Lee (Township) Reinforced Concrete Box (RCB) Project.

The Board also passed a resolution setting a Public Hearing to vacate a portion of Gibbon Avenue, as 9:30-a.m. Tuesday, April 2nd. Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman then presented a report on Secondary Roads Dept. Maintenance and activities.

Rep. Nunn Announces 2024 Congressional Art Competition

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES — U.S. Republican Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) has announced the start of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. Each year, the U.S. House of Representatives hosts a nation-wide high school art competition with each member showcasing art from their district.  Nunn said Tuesday, “I can’t wait to showcase the talent of Iowa’s high school students. This is a long-standing tradition that I am proud and honored to take part in. Iowa has so much to offer, and I look forward to seeing all the creativity that Iowa students have to share as they showcase our state, culture, and talent.” The competition is open to those residing in the Iowa Third Congressional District and currently in high school.

Each artwork submission will be reviewed by a panel of judges and selections will be made for a winner. The winner will have their artwork placed on display at the U.S. Capitol for the next year. The winner will also be flown to Washington, D.C. to attend the official art show opening. In addition, three winning art pieces will be selected to receive the People’s Choice Award and placed on display in Rep. Nunn’s offices.

Important Dates:
April 26 – Final Day for Student Submissions
April 29- May 3 – Public Popular Vote Period
May 3 – Judge’s Panel Private Showing
May 8 – Winner Publicly Announced

For additional questions, please visit nunn.house.gov/artcompetition or contact Rep. Nunn’s office at (515) 400-8180.