Polk County Begins Fiscal Year
HUD Grant To Polk County
09/10 with $232 Million Budget
Polk County was recently awarded a $3 million
grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and
On July 1, Polk County began a new fiscal year with a
Urban Development (HUD) to address lead-based
$232 million budget. The largest component of the
paint hazards in Polk and Dallas County. These
LETTER FROM
budget is Public Safety and Legal Services, which
funds will leverage over $5 million in additional
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAIR
accounts for 26 percent of anticipated expenditures.
local funds to allow Polk County Health
This is closely followed by Mental Health, Mental
Department, and their partners, to repair 154
In an effort to keep you up-
Retardation, and Developmental Disability spending
homes in the two counties.
to-date and informed on
which comprises 22 percent of budget.
Funds are available to assist homeowners whose
Polk County issues and
In preparing this year’s budget, the board tackled
income is less than 80 percent of the median family
services, the Board of
numerous challenges including overcoming a $10
income and landlords whose tenants’ incomes are
Supervisors is including this
million gap between requested expenditures and
less than 80 percent of the median family income. In
brief quarterly newsletter.
projected revenues. The downturn in the economy
addition, to be eligible a child under the age of six
We hope that you find the
has significantly reduced the county’s interest earnings
years old must live, or spend significant time, in the
enclosed information of
and recording fees, resulting in $6 million of lost
home and there must be identified lead hazards. For
value. The Polk County Board of Supervisors
revenue. New staffing requests added pressure to the
more information call 515-286-2115 or 515-286-3596.
is pleased to provide this newsletter to our
budget gap.
citizens. Please feel free to share it with your
To manage budget difficulties, the board delayed
neighbors and friends.
expenditures for one-time capital purchases and
limited training expenditures to in-state
UPCOMING EVENTS
opportunities. The board also universally denied all
• Monarch Tagging . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aug. 29
requests for new positions or job reclassifications to
10 a.m. at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt
Angela Connolly, Chair
hold the line on costs.
• Pelican Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aug. 30
Polk County Board of Supervisors
Adopted cost savings measures were sufficient to
1-6 p.m. at Jester Park Lodge
maintain the current service level for nearly all Conservation Receives
• Volunteer Prairie Harvest . . . . . . .Sept. 3
POLK COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS
county programs.
Honors for New Jester 9-11 a.m. at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt
It is anticipated fund balances will be at a level
Park Playscape
• Music in the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sept. 5
consistent with the county’s adopted financial policies
6-8 p.m. at Thomas Mitchell Park, Shelter #2
Robert
E.J.
Brownell
Giovannetti
and the levy rate will decline to $11.38 per $1,000 of The 40,000 square foot Jester Park Natural
• Monarch Tagging . . . . . . . . . . . .Sept. 12
1st District
2nd District
taxable valuation. Playscape in Grimes, Iowa opened in June of
1-2:30 p.m. at Fort Des Moines Park
Supervisor
Supervisor
We remain cognizant of the need to continue 2008. This innovative playground made from
• Wild Night Life and Hike . . . . . .Sept. 18
limiting expenditures to serve citizens in the most natural materials such as boulders, earth
7:30-9 p.m. at Yellow Banks Park
cost-effective manner possible. We are also mounds and indigenous vegetation encourages
• Geocaching101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sept. 24
monitoring demands on county services as the state young people to once again make mud pies,
Tom
John F.
6:30-8 p.m. at Greenwood Park
Hockensmith
Mauro considers funding reductions and as the economy imitate frog croaks and search for nature's
• A-Mazing Prairie Festival .September 27
3rd District
4th District
works toward recovery. buried treasures. The popularity of the
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt
Supervisor
Supervisor
playscape has exceeded expectations. A survey
• Fall Colors Hike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oct. 17
taken demonstrated that the playscape was not
10-11 a.m. at Fort Des Moines Park, Shelter #1
“The 2008 general election turnout was
only used 58 percent more than the traditional
• Pony Express to Santa . . . . .Dec. 12 &19
playground in the park, but also that 94 percent
Angela John the highest ever in Polk County history
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Jester Park Equestrian Center
Connolly Sarcone
of the users were in the park entirely for the
5th District County
with 215,751 people voting,”
purpose for visiting the playscape.
If you have questions regarding the above events please go
Supervisor Attorney
Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald said.
to
www.leadingyououtdoors.org or call 515-323-5300.
Chair
Since its opening, the playscape has won
Record Setting Numbers From 2008 Election numerous state and national awards including
White Pole Road Trip . . . . . . . . . . .Aug. 19
• Absentee ballots cast ....................72,181
two for architectural design and an innovative
A Tour of Knowledge & Great Things . .Sept. 16
achievement award from the the National
Jamie Julie M.
• Absentee ballots cast by mail ........28,292 Smokey Mountain Trip . . . . . . . . . . . .Oct. 4
Fitzgerald Haggerty
• Absentee ballots cast in our office......11,453
Association of Counties. Polk County
Westward Bound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oct. 21
Auditor Recorder Conservation has received many phone calls
• Absentee ballots cast at our eleven library
from other conservation and recreation For more information regarding the trips above please
satellite voting centers ..................24,053 organizations in the midwest wanting to
go to
www.polkcountyiowa.gov/cfys/pages/calendar.aspx
• Largest vote total at an individual precinct:
replicate the playscape in their parks.
or call 515-286-3536.
Johnston 3 ....................................4,003
For more information about the Jester
The Polk County Health Department holds flu clinics, please
Bill Mary
Park Playscape or Polk County
McCarthy Maloney
go to
www.polkcountyiowa.gov/health for the 2009
Sheriff Treasurer
DO YOU WANT TO BE A POLL WORKER?
Conservation parks and public programs, go schedule.
online to
www.leadingyououtdoors.org or
CALL THE ELECTION OFFICE AT 286-3253.
The Board of Supervisors convenes each Tuesday at 9:30
call 515-323-5300.
a.m. in room 120 in the Administrative Building.
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