LE MARS INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The Le Mars city council today took steps to advance improvements in the city’s industrial park.
The council passed a resolution on plans for construction of a sewer line extension into four lots in the second and third additions of the industrial park. One lot is already under construction and needs the service soon. Bids on the project will be taken, and a contract awarded, within the next month. The estimated cost of the project is 104-thousand dollars, and will be funded through TIF proceeds.
The council will hold a public hearing on March 4, to consider plans estimates, and contract for a 500-foot rail line extension into the industrial park. The line will extend across 27th Street SW, and will extend the entire length of the Industrial Park 4th addition. A contract for the project will be awarded on April 1, with completion of the project by October 3. The estimated cost of the rail line project is 504-thousand dollars, and will be funded through TIF proceeds.
SUPERVISORS AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL JAIL STAFF
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors this morning authorized the hire of an additional full-time Plymouth County Jailer.
Sheriff Jeff Te Brink told the board that the jail staff is facing a personnel shortage. One full-time jailer will be soon deployed in military service. Another will retire next month. In the next year, there may be another retirement. Te Brink said a part-time jailer will be brought up to full time status to replace one open spot, and the new hire will cover the other.
Another part of this issue is a high amount of overtime that has been paid due to tight staffing and extended shifts. Board member Craig Anderson says one new hire won’t solve the overtime issue, and they should consider hiring additional staff.
The Supervisors approved hiring the additional jailer, effective July 1. The motion also allows for covering the hire in the remainder of the current fiscal year.
EXTREME COLD CONTINUES
Extreme cold temperatures will continue to affect Plymouth County and the entire region today and tomorrow. The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning until noon today, and a Cold Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to 10 a.m. Wednesday. Temperatures below zero and dangerously cold wind chills will affect us into midweek. High temperature today is forecast at -1, with a wind chill index down to -34. There will be flurries tonight, but low temperatures to -11. Wednesday will see a forecast high of 1 degree, with a wind chill to -29. A break in the weather is expected Saturday, with a high temperature of 34 forecast. All Plymouth County schools are closed today due to the extreme cold.
SUPERVISORS MEET
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors meets today. Under old business, they will consider approval of an additional full-time Plymouth County Jailer. A review of the 2023-24 fiscal year financial report is scheduled for this morning. An update on secondary road department activities, and a discussion of county construction projects will take place with the county engineer. Later this morning, there will be a closed session, as the Supervisors discuss Collective Bargaining issues.
LE MARS COUNCIL
The Le Mars city council meets today. They will begin with a public hearing on a sewer extension proposal. Consent items today include a list of recommendations from the Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board. Action items include second reading of a zoning change to expand the Parkview Terrace Mobile Home Park. There’s also an extension of the rail service in the industrial park to consider. And there will be consideration of a contract for design work at the city’s Municipal Park.
DELAY IN LIHEAP PAYMENTS
Some payments from the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program known as LIHEAP have been delayed.
The Community Action Agency of Siouxland is the local agency that administers the local payments to help residents with high home heating bills.
Executive Director Jean Logan says some of those residents who qualified for the help have not seen the funds show up on their monthly utility bill yet;
Logan says the payment delay is coming from the state:
The moratorium is a “safety net” for residents that prevents utility companies from turning off home heating for unpaid bills until the spring.
Logan says MidAmerican Energy is aware of the delay in payments, and is working with her agency and the local residents:
Logan says there is still time to apply for LIHEAP funding if you qualify and haven’t applied yet:
Logan says she has received 2426 applications this winter, and over 2200 have qualified for home heating assistance.
The average grant awarded has been between 300-400 dollars.
Applicants should call their local community action agency to learn what information is needed to apply.
GOVERNOR, LAWMAKERS TO NEGOTIATE SCHOOL SPENDING INCREASE
Republican legislative leaders and Governor Reynolds will be negotiating this week over state school funding. The Senate approved a two percent increase last week and the House for a two-and-a-quarter percent increase. Republican Representative Dan Gehlbach of Urbandale says the plan from the majority Republicans is responsible and a sustainable increase to schools. Democrats like Representative Heather Matson of Ankeny have argued schools need at least a five percent boost in per pupil spending as she says many districts are barely surviving. Governor Reynolds proposed a two percent increase last month.
