(Radio Iowa) – Two of Governor Kim Reynolds’ priorities for the 2023 Iowa legislature have already become law, but her plan to streamline state government remains under review. Reynolds says Iowa is way out of line with surrounding states.

“When we’re spending $2100 more on a per capita basis than Illinois…our neighboring state who’s not really known for being fiscally responsible, a state that’s four times the State of Iowa, then we’re not providing efficient and effective services,” Reynolds says. Reynolds has submitted a bill that’s nearly 16-hundred pages long to outline her plan to shrink the number of state agencies from 37 to 16. Critics of some of the proposals in the bill say Reynolds is trying to centralize more power in the governor’s office.

“This isn’t about building a fiefdom for Kim Reynolds. This about reducing the size of government, which we should all be about,” Reynolds says. “It’s about bringing technologies and efficiencies and collaboration and coordination.” Reynolds says no staff will be laid off if her plan to approved as is, but more than 500 full time positions in state government that aren’t currently filled would be eliminated — saving about 200 million dollars over the next four years. Lawmakers have begun holding subcommittee hearings on sections of the plan.

One area that’s being scrutinized would make it clear in state law that the attorney general may file criminal charges on behalf of the state even if a county attorney does not ask the attorney general’s office to pursue the case. Kelly Meyers, a lobbyist for the Iowa County Attorneys Association, says the group is asking for that passage to be removed from the bill.

“Because county attorneys are elected officials,” Meyers says. “They answer to their voters and their constituents.” It was the policy of long time Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller to provide state lawyers to prosecute criminal cases when county attorneys made a request and the county attorneys association says that policy should remain intact. Republican Brenna Bird defeated Miller. She has said one of her priorities as Iowa attorney general is to hire more prosecutors.

(Audubon County, Iowa) – A single vehicle accident south of Exira Sunday night claimed the life of a man from Dallas County. The Iowa State Patrol reports 52-year-old Stephen Joseph Smith, of Adel, was driving a 2006 Hyundai Tiburon north on Lark Avenue, just north of 335th Street, when the car went out of control at around 6-p.m.

The vehicle entered the west ditch and rolled over, coming to rest on its roof facing south. Smith died at the scene. he was wearing a seat belt. The crash remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted by the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office and Exira Rescue.

(Audubon, Iowa) – Members of the Audubon School District’s Board of Education will gather at 7-p.m. Monday, for a Work Session covering their Board Goals, 3 & 4. The meeting and regular meeting that follows, takes place in the Boardroom at the Audubon High School. The agenda for the Regular meeting includes:

4.0 Public Comments – Please contact the Supt. or Board President (Board Policy #213)

5.0 Action Items

5.01 Set Time and Date for Calendar Hearing

5.02 Approve Change Orders

5.03 Approve Add-Service Agreement – Auditorium Ceiling

5.04 Approve Surplus Property – Auditorium Seating, Locker Room Lockers

5.05 Approve Moving Funds to District Flexibility Account

5.06 Approve Seeking Quotes for Greenhouse Construction

5.07 Approve Seeking Quotes for Track Resurfacing

5.08 Possible Approval of Electric Bus Bid

5.08 Personnel

6.0 Communication & Updates

6.01 Superintendent Report

6.01.1 – Building Project Updates

6.01.2 – Legislative Update

6.01.3 – FY24 Bargaining

6.01.4 – Possible Phone System Upgrade

6.01.5 – Therapy Dog

6.02 Principal’s Reports

7.0 Adjournment

Next Regular Meeting: Monday, March 20, 2023, 7:00 PM

(Griswold, Iowa) – A regular, monthly meeting of the Griswold School Board takes place Monday (Feb. 20), at 5:30-p.m., in the Conference Room at the High School. Here’s a glimpse at part of their agenda for the evening:

Old Business

6. Board Policies – Second Reading (D.R.) – 603.1, 603.2, 603.3, 603.4, 603.5, 603.5E1

7. Discussion And Possible Action On Retirement Benefits For Non-Certificated

Staff Member(s) (I or D.R.)

New Business

8. Accept FY22 Audit Report (D.R.)

9. Griswold Sports Booster Club Presentation (I)

10. Consider Approval Of Track Maintenance Bid (D.R.)

11. Consider Approval Of E-Rate Application (D.R.)

12. Consider Approval Of Chemical Application Bids (D.R.)

13. Consider Approval Of Mowing Specifications (D.R.)

14. Consider Approval Of 2023-24 Mission Statement And Goals (D.R.)

15. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 216.2, 603.6, 603.7, 603.8, 603.8R1, 603.9, 603.9R1, 603.10, 603.11, 607.1, 701.5, 701.5R1, 705.1R2, 804.7R1

• Adjourn

Exempt Meeting – An exempt meeting will be held following the regular February 20, 2023 Griswold Board of Education Meeting. The purpose of the Exempt Meeting is to discuss strategy in matters relating to employment conditions of employees not covered by the collective bargaining law pursuant to Iowa Code 21.9 “Employment Conditions” as allowed by Iowa Code 20.9.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The first meeting of the City of Atlantic’s Parks and Rec Department Board and their new Director, Wyatt Adderton, will take place at 5:15-p.m. Monday (Feb. 20), in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall.

Old business on their agenda will include, but is not limited to:

1. A Hotel/Motel Tax presentation by SWIPCO Community Development Specialist Ashley Hayes, as it pertains to the Splash Pad Project.
2. Vote to prioritize an increase in the Hotel/Motel Tax to go for splashpad and improvements at Sunnyside Pool.
3. An update on the Splashpad project from Splash Pad Executive Committee member Ali Pieken.
4. An update on a replacement trail for the Schildberg Recreation Area, Lake #1.
5. A vote on Frank Saddlemire’s request to write a grant for new signs, with regard to the Sunnyside Park Disc Golf course.
6. And, an update on the Camblin Shelter painting project at Sunnyside Park.

New Business includes:

1. Plans for replacing trees in the parks (The Forestry service did this for Sunnyside Park in 2015).
2. A meeting of the Park Party
3. Plans for Sunnyside Pool
4. Discussion with regard to new playground equipment.

The Parks & Rec Board meeting will conclude with regular reports from Director Adderton and Assistant Director Jeff Christensen.