Author: Theresa Rose

Prepare to vote safely this fall

The COVID-19 pandemic is not over.

These numbers are a warning sign that the pandemic is getting worse – not better – in Iowa:

• Record high daily total of 769 new confirmed COVID-19 cases last weekend
• More than 35,000 confirmed cases statewide
• More than 750 confirmed Iowa deaths from COVID-19

I am following the advice of public health experts: staying home as much as possible, washing my hands frequently, keeping space between myself and others, and wearing a mask when I’m out in public.

I am also planning to vote by mail in advance of the November 3 general election.

Iowa had what may be the most successful primary election in state history in June.

Our Secretary of State and county auditors heeded lessons learned from other states and took unprecedented steps to keep our primary safe for voters, election workers and our population as a whole. In the process, they boosted civic engagement and voter turnout. Kudos to these leaders for their ingenuity and commitment to public service.

We can continue what they started this fall. Let’s all plan ahead for our health, safety and civic duty. Request your vote-by-mail ballot today for the November 3 election, and encourage others to do the same.

4 steps to vote by mail

1. Register to vote. Make sure you are registered to vote at sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation.

2. Get a vote-by mail request form. Download the form at sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/absenteeballotapp.pdf. Fill it out carefully and sign it.

3. Return your request form. Mail or deliver your vote-by-mail request form to your county auditor. Find their contact information at sos.iowa.gov/elections/auditors/auditorslist.html.

4. Track your ballot. Your county auditor will mail you a ballot starting October 5. You can track it at sos.iowa.gov/elections/absenteeballotstatus/absentee/search.

Additional information

This is a legislative update from State Senator Rich Taylor, representing Henry and Lee counties and portions of Washington and Jefferson counties. For bio, photos and further information, go to senate.iowa.gov/senator/taylor.

To contact Senator Rich Taylor when the Legislature is in session, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371. Otherwise he can be reached at 319-931-1568. E-mail him at rich.taylor@legis.iowa.gov.

Senator Rich Taylor is an Assistant Leader. He serves on the following committees:

• Agriculture
• Judiciary
• Labor and Business Relations
• Veterans Affairs (Ranking Member)
• Administration and Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee

The 2020 Henry County Fair Swine Show was held Friday morning.  Grand Champion Market Swine was shown by Anna Anderson. Her Grand Champion Market Gilt gave her the overall win.  The Reserve Grand Champion Market Swine honor went to Briar Bender’s Champion Market Barrow.  The Reserve Champion Market Gilt was shown by Grace Sheets who also showed the Reserve Champion Commercial Guilt.  The Champion Commercial Gilt was shown by Eli Miller. Eli also had the Reserve Champion Market Barrow.

The Mount Pleasant Community School District will hold a Public Hearing on changes to the 2020-2021 School Calendar on Monday, July 20, 2020, at 5pm in the Mount Pleasant High School Media Center. The full agenda follows…..

Mount Pleasant Community School District Special Session School Board Meeting

Date:  July 20, 2020 5:00pm

Mount Pleasant Community School District High School Media Center

Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
   1. Public Hearing for 2020-2021 Proposed Calendar Changes
   2. Consideration to Approve 2020-2021 Calendar Changes (Motion)
   3. Adjournment

Mount Pleasant Community School District School Board will then hold a Work Session

Date:  July 20, 2020 5:05 PM

Mount Pleasant Community School District: High School Media Center

Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Return to Learn Plan Review
5. Adjournment

The Henry County Supervisors talked with lawyers from the firm Ahlers and Cooney Thursday morning discussing the possible language on a ballot to present to the public regarding county Emergency Medical Services.  The Supervisors first needed to know if it’s ok to levy a tax for the purpose of supporting the ambulance service and can the revenue from the levy be turned over to HCHC for that purpose.  The lawyers said the short answer is yes.  But the levy ballot language has to clearly articulate not only the levy rate but what services would be covered and the amount needed.  Plus, it must also define the county’s obligation as well as specify the hospital can only use the funds for specific uses.  HCHC now must provide certain data, the exact amount needed and a first draft contract. The supervisors must decide based on that information exactly what amount the county levy would be for….covering losses, sharing in the loss amount or providing the maximum financial amount allowed by law. There is a time deadline to have all this decided on and for the law firm to draft the ballot language in order for the levy question to be included on the November 3 general election ballot.  But the lawyers told the supervisors they need to get the language right and be comfortable with it and to also not feel pushed to meet the mid-August time frame required for the November election.  HCHC would like to have the issue resolved a soon as possible since the hospital is in need of financial assistance to cover insurance losses due to owning Emergency Medical Services, considered to be a non-essential service.

In business from the Henry County Supervisors meeting…Assessor Nathan Milks brought the supervisors the 2020 new tax credit applications for approval. These are applications for the military, Homestead and Business Property tax credits.  The military applications are for disabled or unemployable vets. And only need applied for one time as long as the vet or veteran’s spouse continues to live on the property.  Homestead tax credits can be applied for each time a property owner moves.  Due to a change from the state, the supervisors had two vacancies to fill on the county planning and zoning commission.  The vacancies were created when two people had to resign because they live in the city limits.  The state now says the county P&Z Commission members must live out in the county.  Thursday the supervisors approved Barb Welander’s application for one of the vacancies.  They are still looking for another woman to fill the second vacancy inorder to keep the commission gender balanced.  There will soon be a spot open on the county board of adjustment.  That must also be filled by a woman to meet the gender balanced requirement.  Anyone who is interested should contact the Board of Supervisors.

Donnellson, Iowa ― Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is conducting farmland leasing meetings across 5 different sites in Southeast Iowa during July and August 2020. Meeting sites include Donnellson, Oskaloosa, Mt. Pleasant, Fairfield and Wapello. Meetings are coordinated by county ISU Extension and Outreach offices.

The discussion will focus on current land value and cash rental rate surveys, types of farm lease arrangements, determining a fair cash rent, strategies for writing and terminating a farm lease and the economic outlook.

The Donnellson meeting site will be Monday, July 27 beginning at 1:30 pm. This meeting will be at 414 North Main Street, Donnellson, IA 52625. The meeting will last approximately two hours and will be facilitated by Charles Brown, Farm Management Specialist, with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Pre-registration is required at least two days before the meeting and a $20 per individual or $30 per couple fee is payable at the door. Participants will receive a 100-page booklet and meeting handouts designed to assist landowners, tenants and other agri-business professionals with issues related to farmland ownership, management and leasing arrangements.

Due to Covid-19, the number of meetings have been reduced. Social distancing will be maintained. If you are concerned, call your location to see what protocols are being implemented. Bring your own pencils and paper. Seating will be limited.

Contact the Lee County Extension office at (319) 835-5516 with your questions or to pre-register on or before Thursday, July 23.

For a list of meetings statewide, check the ISU Extension calendar for a meeting near you at www.extension.iastate.edu/calendar

Wayland City Council Meeting

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

7:30 pm Wayland City Hall

Roll Call
2. Consent Agenda
Note: These are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion unless a Council member requests an item be removed for separate consideration.
a. Minutes of July 1, 2020
b. Bills for Payment
c. Annual Zoning Report
3. Citizen Forum
The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public for items not listed on the agenda. You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak. The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair. No action will be taken.
4. Unfinished Business
a. Covid-19 Ongoing Discussion – Resume Utility Posting Fees For 24 Hour Notices
b. Discuss West Park Wetlands Project – Play Equipment/Fencing/Splashpad/Trail
c. Sewer Lining Project Progress and Financing Update
d. Water Plant Tank Repair Update
5. New Business
a. Consider Changes to Fireworks Ordinance
b. Change Request – Municipal Pipe Tool – Extend Contract Completion Date to 3/31/21
c. Discuss Street Intake/Drainage -200 Block W. Main & Corner N Washington/W Main
d. Request to Change City Cell Phone Carrier
e. Nomination of Marsha Chalupa to Board of Adjustment
Building Permits – Approved
*Paul Kissell -24’ x 20’ detached wood frame garage at 302 E Main St.
6. Adjournment
MAYOR: Greg Rich
COUNCIL: Melinda Ullery,
Aaron Barnhart, Chet Fort,
Kathie Grimm, Caylon DeVaul
CLERK: Beverly Conrad
TREAS: Terry Kaufman
ATTORNEY: Mike Vance
Regular Meeting Agenda
Wayland City Hall @ 7:30 P.M.
July 15, 2020
City Hall/Council Chambers
PO Box 155
218 W Main St
Wayland, IA 52654
Phone: 319-256-3276
Fax: 319-256-3279