Henry County Supervisors addressed staffing changes and a growing backlog of public records requests during their meeting Monday, April 13 at 10 a.m.

The board unanimously approved two motions related to the County Attorney’s Office, both passing on a 3-to-0 vote.

As part of those actions, Assistant County Attorney Steven Giebelhausen announced his resignation, effective April 30th, under an employment separation agreement. Giebelhausen, who has served in the role for six years, will receive three months of regular salary through July 31st, along with benefits and a payout for unused vacation time, totaling just over $26,400.

Supervisors also approved hiring a part-time, temporary outside attorney to help manage public information requests. The position will pay $45 per hour, for up to 34 hours per week, and will not include benefits.

The move comes as the county attorney’s office faces staffing shortages and a significant backlog of work in relation to outstanding Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. County Attorney Wilson says the office is currently dealing with four to six outstanding Freedom of Information requests, some of which have been granted extensions through the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB). She noted that one request alone involves between 7,000 and 8,000 pages of documents that still need to be reviewed and redacted.

Wilson plans to hire attorney Ed Harvey to handle the FOIA-related workload. Attorney Giebelhausen noted that any outside attorney would be required to withdraw from active state cases to comply with Iowa law, and Attorney Wilson assured the supervisors that the process is currently underway.

Supervisors emphasized the need to balance ongoing county business with meeting public records requirements. Although not listed on the agenda, Board Chair Chad White allowed for public comment and the meeting adjourned.

April is recognized nationwide as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and organizations across southeast Iowa are working to raise awareness and support families.

Quad County Community Partnerships for Protecting Children is leading local efforts, with coordinator Arin Jones emphasizing both education and community involvement.

During a recent presentation to the Henry County Board of Supervisors, supervisors signed a proclamation officially declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Henry County.

Jones shared data from 2025, reporting 123 confirmed cases of child abuse in Henry County. About half of those cases involved denial of critical care—often tied to financial stress and challenges facing families. There were also 6 cases of physical abuse, 5 cases of sexual abuse, and a small number involving exposure to substances.

Jones noted that sexual abuse is widely underreported and appears to be increasing locally. She also emphasized that abuse often involves someone the child knows and trusts, and in most cases, perpetrators may also be underage, something many adults and caregivers don’t realize.

April 13th through the 17th marks the National Week of Action, when organizations will spotlight strategies, everyday actions, and policy solutions that help children and families thrive.

Locally, the focus remains on prevention—raising awareness, educating parents and community members, and creating safer environments for children. Jones shared, every one dollar spent on prevention, saves three dollars in treatment of overcoming abuse.

Community members are encouraged to show support by wearing blue throughout the month. Blue symbolizes possibility, strength, and the future every child deserves. You may also see the blue and silver pinwheels across the county as a reminder that when communities work together, we can prevent child abuse.

Advocates say prevention starts with simple but powerful ideas: investing in families early leads to safer, healthier children; strong families build stronger communities; and protecting children is everyone’s responsibility.

For those involved in the effort, the message is clear—every child deserves the best a community can give.

A second public hearing is scheduled later this month for the proposed Henry County budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will hold the hearing on April 27th at 6:00 p.m. at the Henry County Courthouse 3rd floor courtroom.

The hearing, originally scheduled for April 23, will review the proposed fiscal year budget covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 for Henry County. County officials say any resident or taxpayer may attend the meeting, ask questions, present objections, or speak in favor of any part of the proposed budget.

According to the budget summary, total proposed revenues and other sources are approximately $22.7 million, while total expenditures and other uses are projected at about $24.7 million.

Officials note that the higher expenditure total does not necessarily represent a structural deficit. A significant portion of the difference is tied to secondary roads funding streams and capital construction projects that are planned and accounted for across fiscal year boundaries. County leaders say these timing differences—particularly in major infrastructure projects—often result in expenditures appearing higher in a single fiscal year, but are expected to balance out over time as funding sources and reimbursements are received.

Major spending areas include public safety and legal services, roads and transportation, administration, and capital projects. Public safety and legal services account for more than $6.4 million, while road and transportation spending is projected at more than $7.2 million.

Officials note the budget reflects rising costs and efforts to maintain county services, with proposed property tax revenues making up a significant portion of funding. When viewing the budget across funding cycles, the intention is to remain as balanced as possible for ongoing financial planning.

The notice also states that if a valid protest petition is filed, the State Appeal Board could hold an additional hearing. Budget documents and supporting details are available through the county auditor’s office, at henrycounty.iowa.gov, or here.

After fourteen years of celebrating antique automobiles and local history, the Red Flag Motor Tour is ending its annual run from New London to Brighton, closing the chapter on a popular Southeast Iowa tradition.

Each year during the final week of September, the tour brought visitors and vintage vehicles to the Dover Museum, where volunteers with the Dover Historical Society prepared breakfast for drivers and support staff before the group set out on a reenactment of the historic route to Brighton.

The tour was inspired by the original 1896 London to Brighton road race in England, which celebrated changes to early automobile laws and the removal of the requirement that a person walk ahead of each vehicle carrying a red flag to warn others of approaching “horseless carriages.”

Locally, the event became known for its display of pre-1928 cars and motorcycles parked around New London’s city square, where spectators gathered to admire the restored vehicles and visit with drivers dressed in period clothing. The final day traditionally began at the city park, followed by breakfast at Dover and introductions of the vehicles before they traveled the scenic two-and-a-half-hour route to Brighton, often making stops along the way.

Over the years, the tour also included visits to historic destinations across Southeast Iowa, such as museums, parks, and local landmarks, giving participants a chance to experience the region’s history at a slower pace.

With the decision to end the annual run, the tour’s board has chosen to distribute its remaining funds to several local historical organizations, including the Dover Museum, the Harlan-Lincoln House, the Lewelling Quaker Museum, and the Henry County Heritage Trust.

While the engines will no longer roll each fall, the legacy of the Red Flag Motor Tour will live on through the memories created and the support it provided to preserving local history throughout Southeast Iowa.