Board of Supervisors to discuss salary increases for county employees, funding request from CAASA
During the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday morning, the Board discussed salary increases for county employees and staff, ultimately delaying any decision until their next meeting.
According to supervisor Mike VanOtterloo, the consensus among department heads is to see a flat dollar amount increase during this fiscal year, instead of the regular percentage increase. The reason for the change was to help the county’s lower-earning employees due to the current economic environment, and would likely not be a permanent change.
The Board also heard from Stephanie Henrich, the executive director of the Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault, concerning county funding for the next fiscal year. The CAASA is requesting $17,000 from the county, with all funds from the county to be used only in Plymouth County. Henrich highlighted the 33 survivors in Plymouth County the CAASA provides services for, and that the group operates with limited state and federal funding, resulting in over $500,000 of their $595,000 budget only going towards salaries. The Board will consider the request from the CAASA.
The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors will take place on December 16th at 9:30am.
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Plymouth County announces auction of county-owned items
Plymouth County has announced an auction of surplus county-owned items, including office equipment, computers, and vehicles.
The auction is online-only, and will be run by Le Mars-based auction house Brock Auction. Vehicles that are part of the auction include a 2020 Dodge Durango, a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe, a 1992 Winnebago Brave Series motorhome, and a 1995 Ford E350 chasis drive truck. A flatbed trailer and a 2006 Curtis snow plow is also available for auction. Office equipment available includes a desktop PC, monitors, laptops, a DVR, and office chairs.
Bids will be accepted on individual items from December 26th at 6pm until January 8th at 6pm. For a list of items available, click here.
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Senator Grassley says most Iowa farmers will qualify for $12B bailout
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says the 12-billion dollar farmer bailout program President Trump announced Monday is much-needed and he predicts a great many farmers in Iowa will qualify for it. Grassley says this is quite similar to the help the president offered farmers in 2020 when trade trouble with China impacted U-S agricultural markets. Grassley keeps a very close eye on the daily movements of commodity markets.
Grassley’s son, Robin, raises corn, soybeans and livestock on the family farmstead in New Hartford. The Republican says they had a good crop in Butler County this season, but input costs were up 25-percent, so they’re in the same financial boat as most other farmers.
Grassley says the program is for farmers who are facing severe losses due to high input costs, falling commodity prices, and international trade troubles.
The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program will make payments available to farmers who raise 20 different crops, including corn and soybeans, with the checks expected in late February. Applications need to be in to U-S-D-A by December 19th.
(Story via Radio Iowa)
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