LCSD FINANCIAL HEALTH
The Le Mars Community School District is extremely healthy financially. That was the assessment of Superintendant Dr. Steven Webner in a report to the Board of Education Monday.
This is based on financial information from the 2024 fiscal year.
The report addressed four measures of financial health. Dr. Webner said the report indicated the district has a healthy amount of spending authority available to cover emergencies or student growth. The district has steadily grown in its ability to pay its bills, and in its ability to handle unexpected demands on cash. Employee costs have steadily decreased over the past five years. But the percentages of the budget devoted to employee costs is above the target of 80%. Dr. Webner says the concern there is that over time, school districts which continue to have employee costs over 80% see financial stress in their general fund.
Variables which affect these measures are slower student growth, lower state education funding, and lower property taxes. .
LE MARS SCHOOL BOARD MOVES TO RECAPTURE COST OVERRUNS
The Le Mars Community Schools Board of Education passed resolutions which identify deficits in their Special Education and Limited English Proficient accounts.
Dr. Steven Webner told the board that the legislature has given school districts the authority to recapture cost overruns in these areas. As part of the resolutions, the board gave the school administration direction to submit a request to the state Department of Management for additional spending as allowed.
The deficit in the Special Education fund is 168-thousand dollars, and is due to cost increases in transportation, instructional support, and salaries and benefits. The overrun in the Limited English Proficient account is 71-thousand dollars, due to an increase in students in the program, now at 207 this year.
The deficits reflect costs from the fiscal 2024 year. Dr. Webner told the board that the funds will be reimbursed next year.
WIND FARM UPDATE
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors heard an update on Phase 2 of Invenergy’s wind farm project in hte county. Invenergy manager Harry Finch was joined by colleague Britt Gallahan to present the report. Finch told the board that Phase 2 is in the development and permitting stage. To date, 200 landowner agreements have been signed, covering 36-thousand acres. This phase will generate some 200 megawatts of power hourly, the same as the current generators. The current windmills produce 2.3 to 2.8 megawatts, while some of the newer generators might produce from 4.5 to 5 megawatts per hour. Property taxes from the new generators would be some 2.2 to over 3 million dolars per year. The new wind farm would have a 40-year lifespan.
Finch says the number of generators that will be in use is not yet determined. They will be located in the four eastern Plymouth County townships that are in Phase 1: Fredonia, Marion, Remsen and Henry townships.
Turbine locations will be determined in 2025. Construction is to start on Phase 2 next year, with completion in 2026.
EARLY VOTING STARTS TODAY
Today is the first day you can cast an early ballot in person at the Plymouth County Auditor’s Office. Starting today, early voting can be done between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. through and including Monday, November 4 and Saturday, November 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Plymouth County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Stacey Feldman, in a news release, says Absentee ballots are mailed from the Auditor’s Office from October 16th to October 21st only, per Iowa law. Ballots must be requested in writing and absentee ballot request forms need to be received in the Auditor’s office by October 21. Absentee ballot request forms are available at the Auditor’s office or at www.plymouthcountyiowa.gov by clicking on the red General Election tab. They can also be obtained from the Iowa Secretary of State website.
Voters who requested and received an absentee ballot and prefer not to mail them back may walk their absentee ballot to the Auditor’s Office up to as late as 8 p.m. on election day. DO Not bring your absentee ballot to your voting location. Voting at your polling place on election day, November 5, will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Plymouth County Democrats are offering a free ride to Plymouth County voters during early voting and at the polls on election day.
To request a ride, call 712-541-3620. Ride area available to all eligible voters, regardless of party affiliation.
HULL MAN CHARGED AFTER MONDAY INCIDENTS
A Hull, Iowa man faces attempted murder and other charges after a series of incidents in Hull Monday afternoon. 28-year-old Jorge Gomez-Badillo is charged with two counts of attempted murder, first degree burglary, second degree arson, interference with official acts, possession of cocaine, possession of THC oil and possession of drug paraphernalia. The Sioux County Sheriff says they received several 9-1-1 reports of a disturbance at the intersection of 5th and Division streets, in Hull. Deputies found three people had been involved, with two sustaining stab wounds. Both victims were taken by ambulance to Sioux Center Health and deputies were able to apprehend Gomez-Badillo as the one suspect. Deputies later reported heavy black smoke coming from a Division Street residence near the original disturbance. Authorities suspect the fire may have been intentionally started before the disturbance by the suspect taken into custody. Gomez-Badillo is in custody at the Sioux County Jail and there is the possibility of additional charges pending the ongoing investigation.
HULL MAN SENTENCED FOR DRUG AND FIREARMS CONVICTIONS
A Hull man was sentenced last week to 12 years in prison for drug and firearms violations. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, Tim Duax, says 24 year old Victor Perez-Martinez was sentenced October 11 on seven counts, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth, four counts of distribution of meth, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Perez-Martinez was involved in the distribution meth in the Spencer and Orange City areas. Sizable quantities of pure meth were sold during four controlled drug purchases with law enforcement. In October, 2023, a search warrant was served at the suspect’s residence. A large quantity of meth, two cel-phones, drug paraphernalia, over 42-hundred dollars in cash, and a pistol were seized by law enforcement.
Perez-Martinez was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison, and ten years of supervised release following prison.
JAYWALK-A-THON EXCEEDS FUNDRAISING GOAL
The 5th Annual Jaywalk-a-thon last week raised 48-thousand dollars to support technology and classroom supplies at Gehlen Catholic schools. The fundraiser took place last Friday at the school. The day started with an all-school Mass, and students had a turn walking with track at their football field. Students were urged to raise funds by seeking sponsorships from family, friends and neighbors. Their goal was to raise 40-thousand dollars. The final tally was 48-thousand. The Jaywalk-a-thon is the largest student fundraiser at Gehlen Catholic.
FEMA DEADLINE NEARS
Iowans affected by severe weather and floods in June and July of this year have under October 22 to file for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Flood related damage or storm-related expenses, or are self-employed and live in the 16 counties designated Presidential Disaster Areas can file claims for those losses no later than October 22.
FEMA assistance and Small Business Administration grants can help homeowners or businessmen cover temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster related needs. Two northwest Iowa Disaster Recovery Offices, in Rock Valley and Spencer, have closed, but claims can be filed via telephone (833-285-7448, or by visiting DiasasterAssistance.gov.
