Supervisors discuss building, unemployment

Mar 5, 2010 — Pella Chronicle

Steve Woodhouse

Mar. 5, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The Marion County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting Tuesday morning to discuss various topics. No official actions were taken.

First on the agenda was a proposal by Iowa Workforce Development for the county to join the new Regional Workforce Investment Board (RWIB). This board has a similar purpose compared to previous organizations Marion County belonged to, the Central Iowa Employment Training Consortium (CIETC) and the Regional Workforce Investment Alliance (RWIA).

Following the CIETC scandal, Marion County withdrew from the organization. It was disbanded and RWIA was created. RWIA did not last long, and has since disbanded. Board Chairman Howard Pothoven represented the county on both of these boards.

"This is the infamous organization known as CIETC," he said Monday. Pothoven said the board would bring the unemployed and employers together. He told his fellow supervisors that it was requested Marion County be a member of the board. A representative from Iowa Workforce Development, Mike Wilkinson, is expected to give a presentation at the regular board meeting Monday, March 8, at 9:30 a.m.

A message was left seeking comment from Wilkinson. The call was not returned. All supervisors' meetings are open to the public.

In other business, the supervisors have signed a contract stating it would buy the "old Farm and Home" along Highway 14 north of Knoxville. Iowa State Savings Bank, owner of the building, accepted the board's proposal. Over the next several weeks, the board will wrap up the necessary paperwork. A contract with Snyder and Associates, for engineering work regarding the new floor plan for the building, is expected to come before the board soon.

"I think we need to spend some money to have someone help us with design," Pothoven said. "I just found several things in there I wasn't happy with." The debt service levy will increase by seven cents per $1,000 of taxable valuation to pay for a $750,000 loan the supervisors approved last week. On March 22, the board will hold a public hearing to refinance $300,000 of a previous $600,000 debt related to roof repair at the courthouse. The refinancing is expected to save the county money through a lower interest rate.

Central Point Coordinator Betty Moll told the supervisors that the county's new contract with Capstone Behavioral Services will include lower rates. The new contract expected to come before the board March 8, would cover Jan. 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011, to get the agreement back to its usual fiscal year rotation. Capstone provides mental health and substance abuse services to the county.

A trailer, located at 1733 Cromwell in Flagler, has racked up a tax debt of $14,535. County Treasurer Denise Emal says the owner of the trailer has abandoned it.

This trailer, according to other county officials, has improper septic and water connections and it stands on land owned by a third party. The trailer has gone into foreclosure, and a St. Louis firm is now the owner. "It's one complication after another," Zoning Administrator Missy Poffenbarger told the board. Unsure of how to collect the tax money and clean up the trailer, officials sought direction from the board. Sheriff Ron Goemaat suggested asking the landowner to begin the eviction process to have the trailer removed. A committee has been formed to find the best way to remedy the situation.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0369-42624018