Author: Hayden Douglas

The Mount Pleasant Community School District Finance Committee met Friday to review July expenditures, finalize budget items related to the 2024-25 fiscal year, and prepare for upcoming board decisions. While no official action was taken, a range of financial details were discussed in depth, setting the stage for next Monday night’s full board meeting. The meeting opened with a review of July’s district-wide expenditures, spanning general fund, activity, and other accounts.

Property Tax Rate & Enrollment Revenue

The committee reviewed the final certified levy rate for Fiscal Year 2026, which came in at $11.97 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Also discussed was the July SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) sales tax allocation, which came in at $240,421. That figure represents an increase over last July’s $217,000, likely due in part to rising certified enrollment—up from 730 to 750 students. These monthly allocations fluctuate based on real-time sales tax collections and directly support infrastructure and capital projects.

Fiscal Year 2025 Closeout and Audit Timeline

Henriksen gave updates on fiscal year-end tasks. The Certified Annual Report (CAR) is due by September 15, and the district audit is scheduled for the week of November 3.

Upcoming Board Elections

The meeting closed with reminders about the upcoming school board elections, with nomination papers available now and due by September 18. The election will be held November 4, and seats up for election include:

• Director District 1 currently held by Melinda Huisinga
• Director District 2 currently held by Derek Mullin
• At-Large seat Currently held by Josh Maher

All terms will be for four years, a result of redistricting changes in recent years.

The full board will review these finance items at its regular meeting Monday night. More information can be found on the district’s website.

Mount Pleasant, Iowa — Community members, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and Goodwill staff gathered this week to celebrate the grand opening of the Helms Career Center, a new resource hub aimed at helping individuals build job skills and find meaningful employment.

The ribbon cutting ceremony marked the launch of the center, located within the Goodwill facility in Mount Pleasant. The center is named in honor of Dr. Bradley Helms, the organization’s founder, who championed self-sufficiency and lifelong learning.

“This is very exciting,” said Amy Winslow, Career Services & Development Manager. “We call this the Helms Career Center, and it’s named after Dr. Helms, who believed we should help people help themselves by giving them the skills they need to find work and support their families. That still aligns with our mission today—to help people reach their full potential through education, training, and the power of work.”

The Helms Career Center offers a wide range of free services, open to all community members, with no eligibility requirements.

Services include:

• Resume writing assistance

• Interview tips and mock interviews

• Job search guidance

• Courses in Microsoft Office and artificial intelligence

• Industry-recognized certifications

“This center is here for high school students looking for their first job, or someone who hasn’t worked in a while and is ready for a new opportunity,” Winslow added. “It’s all possible thanks to the community’s support of our retail stores and donations.”

Emmy Thompson will staff the center and provide one-on-one assistance during the following hours:
Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The celebration concluded with a cheerful ribbon cutting, applause, and photo opportunities with attendees and staff.

For more information or to access services, visit the Helms Career Center inside the Goodwill Mount Pleasant location during posted hours.

As summer draws to a close, so does the 2025 swim season at the Mount Pleasant Family Aquatic Center. The City of Mount Pleasant Park & Recreation Department has announced that the final day of operation for the pool will be Sunday, August 17.

The department extended its gratitude to the community for another successful season and gave special thanks to the pool’s hardworking staff for their dedication throughout the summer.

The aquatic center has been a popular spot for families, offering a place to cool off, enjoy recreational activities, and connect with neighbors during the warmer months. With the back-to-school season approaching, the closure marks a seasonal transition for many in the community.

For updates on fall programming and upcoming events, residents are encouraged to follow the Park & Recreation Department on social media or visit the city’s website.

The Henry County Engineering and Road Department continues to advance key infrastructure projects this week, following a series of approvals and ongoing fieldwork across the county.

During this week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, multiple construction contracts and plans received the green light, including:

• Right-of-way construction contracts and final construction plans for the 170th Street Culvert project (FM-CO44(103)–55-44)
• Right-of-way construction contracts and plans for the Lexington Avenue Culvert project (BROS-CO44(100)–8J-44)

These culvert replacements are part of the county’s ongoing effort to improve rural drainage infrastructure and ensure long-term roadway safety.

The department also issued several underground utility permits this week, authorizing work by Mt. Pleasant Utilities, KCTC, and Windstream in multiple locations, including Franklin Avenue, Clayton Avenue, and 130th Street.

In terms of maintenance, crews are actively replacing a culvert on 310th Street west of Salem. Territory operators continue blading gravel roads, and rock resurfacing is underway in various locations. The third round of mowing on gravel road shoulders has begun, and county-maintained ground behind Hy-Vee in Mount Pleasant has also been mowed.

Additional field projects include the installation of new signage along J20 near Salem, including a school stop sign. Meanwhile, road crews have made significant progress on Goodyear Road north of 235th Street, where they’ve removed the existing earth shoulder and installed a 7-foot granular shoulder. Rock placement is expected to be completed today, with concrete patching scheduled in the coming weeks.

Dust control applications resumed this week, with the second round of treatments beginning on Wednesday, August 6.

For further updates or questions, residents may contact the Henry County Engineer’s Office at (319) 385-0762

The Henry County Democrats are extending an open invitation to the public for a community-focused gathering aimed at sparking conversation, building connections, and planning for the future of Henry County. The meeting will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant at 10am this Saturday, and is scheduled to last an hour and a half.

Organized by the Henry County Democrats Executive Committee, the event will feature updates on local initiatives, upcoming events, and opportunities for civic engagement. But the heart of the meeting, organizers emphasize, is community input.

Attendees will be encouraged to:

• Ask questions and speak on the issues that matter to them
• Learn how to get involved through volunteering
• Meet fellow residents who are passionate about improving Henry County
• Collaborate on solutions that bring meaningful change

In addition to discussion and planning, voter registration forms will be available at the event. Individuals who are not yet registered, or who need to update their information, will have the opportunity to take care of it on-site.

The event is open to all members of the public, regardless of political affiliation.

More information about the meeting and local Democratic Party efforts can be found on the Henry County Democrats’ official Facebook page.

DES MOINES COUNTY — Iowans interested in efforts to improve water quality at Big Hollow Lake can now review and comment on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) updated improvement plan. A presentation outlining the findings and proposed solutions is available through September 8 on the Iowa DNR’s YouTube channel.

Big Hollow Lake, located in Des Moines County, is currently listed on the state’s impaired waters list due to high levels of algae, elevated pH, and turbidity—issues primarily driven by excessive phosphorus entering the lake. These water quality problems affect both recreational use and aquatic ecosystems.

The study, formally known as a Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP), analyzes phosphorus sources and quantities, and outlines practical steps that local agencies, landowners, and community stakeholders can take to reduce nutrient pollution. The goal is to restore the lake for safe and enjoyable use by the public and support healthy aquatic life.

Originally published on May 1, 2025, the WQIP underwent corrections during the final review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), prompting a new round of public comment.

The video presentation is available at youtube.com/iowadnr and the full plan can be downloaded from the Iowa DNR website at:
🔗 www.iowadnr.gov/wq-improvement-plans

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has officially named Fairfield as the state’s newest Main Street Iowa community, recognizing the city’s strong commitment to downtown revitalization and economic growth.

The announcement was made during the 2025 Iowa Downtown Conference in Muscatine. Fairfield becomes the 54th community to join the Main Street Iowa network, a program focused on preserving and energizing historic downtown’s through local leadership, volunteerism, and strategic planning.

“Fairfield has long stood out for its cultural depth and entrepreneurial energy,” said Debi Durham, director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. “They’re now building on those strengths to create a more welcoming and vibrant downtown.”

After not being selected in 2024, Fairfield strengthened its local partnerships and followed through on key recommendations to earn the designation this year. Mayor Connie Boyer said the city is already seeing positive momentum with volunteer-led cleanup efforts downtown.

As a Main Street community, Fairfield plans to focus on facade improvements, walkability, business development, and arts and culture. A public celebration is set for August 12 in Fairfield.

Since 1985, Main Street Iowa has generated nearly $2.9 billion in private investment and supported the creation of over 17,000 jobs statewide.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met on Wednesday, August 7, to hear a series of updates from county department heads, covering everything from infrastructure projects and court scheduling to public health events and major park developments. The wide-ranging reports offered a clear picture of county operations entering late summer.

Agenda Adjustments and Minutes

The meeting began with approval of the agenda after Supervisor Chad White requested the removal of Item 5 regarding the Discussion of False Allocation of P&Z Director, Joe Buffington, $10,000 Bonus, to accommodate the presence of an individual involved in that discussion. That item will be added to next weeks agenda.

Veterans Affairs

Veterans Affairs Director Roger Pittsenbarger shared that the department handled 188 phone calls and 72 in-person visits last month.Pittsenbarger recently attended a national conference in Louisville, Kentucky, where he met with top-level VA officials and discussed upcoming changes to benefits and systems.

He reported that veterans’ benefits generated over $695,000 in income for Henry County last month, with the annual total projected to exceed $8.3 million. Upcoming activities include attending the Iowa State Fair, meeting with Medicaid staff, and hosting a virtual commissioner training on September 16, timed to avoid conflicts with harvest schedules.

County Attorney’s Office

The County Attorney office detailed upcoming court proceedings, including trials scheduled for August 4, 11, and 25, with two still on the docket for August 12. The August 18 date may be used for non-reported trials.

The office is undergoing a physical reorganization to improve public access. Effective immediately, the middle door will serve as the primary public entrance during morning hours. Signage will soon be added to help guide visitors.

Assessor’s Office

County Assessor Nathan Milks provided updates on parcel review work triggered by new aerial imagery software. Over 3,000 parcels were flagged for changes since 2023, including demolitions and unreported new construction. Staff are verifying the flagged properties, which include outbuildings, pools, sheds, and more.

Milks also noted that a court date of August 19–21 has been set in the ongoing legal battle with Walmart over the assessed value of its Mount Pleasant store. The county values the property at $12.1 million, a figure the company is contesting. Mediation remains possible ahead of the trial.

Engineer’s Office

County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss presented the latest road and infrastructure updates:

• 110th Street near Salem has a completed culvert replacement.
• Crews are grading and rocking gravel roads in advance of dust control applications, which began August 6.
• Third-round mowing is underway across the county.
• New school zone signs and flashing beacons were installed in Salem near the school along J20.
• Work continues on Goodyear Road north of Washington Street, with milling complete and pavement patching to follow. 

Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Rich McNamee reported that the jail population has remained steady in the 50s for four consecutive months. In July, the department collected $3,878.65 in revenue from housing inmates from other counties.

The Sheriff’s Office is welcoming new staff to both jail and patrol divisions, and Deputy Tyler Ruby is set to begin academy training in September. The department is preparing for the busy Old Threshers Reunion, and also coordinating back-to-school safety events and public checkpoints in the coming weeks.

Conservation Department

Conservation Director Caleb Waters celebrated recent upgrades at Stevenson Park, including the construction of a new shelter house, expanded parking, and a relocated historical monument. Waters credited strong community support, fundraising, and volunteer contributions for bringing the project to completion.

Persistent high water levels have led to multiple closures at Waterworks Campground, requiring constant monitoring. A ribbon-cutting is expected next week for the newly completed dump station.

Public Health

Public Health Director Katie Reuter reported a successful presence at the county fair, where her team served approximately 200 children during Kids Day with healthy snacks and resources.

The department is preparing for the Back-to-School Health Fair on August 11 from 4–7 p.m. at Central Gym in Mount Pleasant. Services will include immunizations, sports physicals, and health screenings.

Reuter also addressed the recent measles outbreak in Iowa, where eight cases have been confirmed, including three in vaccinated individuals. No cases have been reported in Henry County. Thanks to local outreach efforts, MMR vaccination rates are on the rise.

Public Health’s Stepping On fall prevention classes continue to have strong participation, with wait lists forming, and the Senior Health Fair is scheduled for September 24 at Calvary Baptist Church.

Planning and Zoning

Supervisors were reminded of the upcoming Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on August 12, where members will review zoning ordinance updates to align with Senate File 592 regarding accessory dwellings. A public hearing with the Board of Supervisors will follow on August 14.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet again next week, with follow-up expected on tabled agenda items and the Walmart valuation case.

For more updates, visit KILJ.com or tune in to KILJ News Radio.