(Radio Iowa) – A bill introduced in the Iowa Senate would let state agencies hire private C-P-A firms to audit government spending rather than have the state auditor’s office do it. Senator Mike Bousselot, a Republican from Ankeny, says private C-P-As can audit state agencies in Illinois. “It is a flexibility that exists today for our cities. In fact the City of Des Moines, the largest city in our state, hires not the state auditor’s office — even though they could, but they hire a private CPA firm,” Bousselot says, “as well as the vast majority of school districts in our state.”

Senator Tony Bisignano, a Democrat from Des Moines, says this is the second year in a row Republicans have introduced a bill to limit the authority of State Auditor Rob Sand.  “You know we can all act like there’s no elephant in the room, but there is. We have one Democrat elected statewide — one — and he’s the auditor, unfortunately for you because he’s the guy that can look in to see what the rest of yous are doing,” Bisignano said. “That seems to be a problem here now.”

John McCormally is chief of staff in the state auditor’s office. He told lawmakers it would likely cost the state five MILLION dollars more to have private C-P-As do the work that’s being done now by the state auditor’s office. “Voters make a choice for state auditor every four years and the author of this bill doesn’t like who they chose,” McCormally said, “so he wants to use more taxpayer money to hire somebody else.”

Marlys Gaston recently retired as the chief deputy in the financial audit division in the state auditor’s office. She worked for two Republican state auditors as well as Democrat Rob Sand and she’s raising concerns about the bill. “Allowing the departments to choose their independent auditor would, I think, eliminate economy and efficiency to begin with,” Gaston says. “…You’re increasing costs exponentially.”

A lobbyist for the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants told lawmakers fewer C-P-A firms are willing to audit government agencies due to the nationwide shortage of C-P-As. Bousselot says letting state agencies hire private C-P-A firms for audits might boost the workforce. “The flexibility to hire ethical but private CPAs that are answerable to the same standards as a public CPA,…is something that we could leverage here at the state to get more CPAs and greater expertise in delivering audits for state government.”

The bill has cleared a Senate subcommittee and is likely to be approved by a Senate committee later today (Wednesday).

(Radio Iowa) – The National Weather Service is seeking volunteers to be trained to be storm spotters for the spring severe weather season. Meteorologist Andrew Ansorge says spotter classes will begin next month. “This is just an opportunity for us to come out into the community and provide refresher training on spotter training, as well as for people who might be interested that haven’t taken it before. It gives them information about how to spot a storm safely and to report that information back to us here at the National Weather Service,” Ansorge says.

Ansorge said the first class will be held in southwest Iowa, and you can find out more about the classes online. “They can go to our website, weather.gov forward slash Des Moines and there’s a link at the top there that talks about storm spotting,” he says. The first class is on March 19th in Creston.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Montgomery County was arrested at the conclusion of a pursuit that began in northwest Missouri and ended in Page County. Authorities say 21-year-old Drake Leslie Brown, of Red Oak, faces charges of Eluding, Interference with official acts, Reckless Driving, and four scheduled motor vehicle violation citations. Brown was being held in the Page County Jail on a $2,000 cash-only bond.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office says it was notified at around 1:46-a.m. Sunday, of a high speed pursuit that was entering the County on Highway 71. Officers with the Maryville, MO. Police Department and Deputies with the Nodaway County Missouri Sheriff’s Office, were pursuing the vehicle. Page County Deputies engaged in the pursuit on Highway 71 at 300th Street. The chase continued through southern Page County until Deputies lost sight of the vehicle.

Drake Brown

They later received a tip that the vehicle and two suspects were in Coin (Iowa). Following-up on the tip and after arriving at the suspect’s location, Brown was taken into custody. In addition to the aforementioned Missouri law enforcement agencies, Red Oak Iowa Police and Fremont County Iowa Sheriff’s Deputies assisted in handling the incident.

A charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, during their meeting this (Wednesday) morning, acted on approving several matters, including: Taxable mileage in the amount of $112.22 (1,071 miles) Supervisor Matt Wedemeyer, who uses his own vehicle to conduct county business. The Supervisors renewed a Grove Township Cemetery mowing contract with Mike Mangels was renewed; They also acted on Homestead and Military Disallowances; and authorized Kelly Mitchell to use the County Recorder’s Credit Card.

They also approved publishing a “Notice of Intent” to Appoint Kelly Mitchell as Adair County Recorder. Auditor Mandy Berg…

In other business, Adair County Auditor Mandy Berg discussed with the Board, an Election Equipment Contract. The current equipment is nearly 10-years old. The Board unanimously approved the contract as presented.

They also approved a Software License Agreement and an Extended Warranty and Maintenance Agreement.

County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented for the Board Chair to sign, a contract and performance bond and liability insurance, with Henningsen Construction, for a HMA (Hot Mix Asphalt) resurfacing project on Adair County Road P-33. Kauffman discussed with the Board a Summer Internship Program. The part-time position pays $15/hour.

And, he spoke about Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities. He said there will be two projects (one is bridge, the other is a concrete box culvert) up for letting on February 26^th. He said also they will be looking at vacating five different roads, beginning in April.

(Radio Iowa) – Members of the Iowa House are scaling back the governor’s plan to consolidate or eliminate 111 state boards and commissions. A bill that cleared a House subcommittee this (Wednesday) morning only focuses on the elimination of 49 boards or commissions. Republican Representative Jane Bloomingdale of Northwood is chair of the House State Government Committee.

“I didn’t feel like the committee or subcommittee had time to really look through, look at the mergers,” Bloomingdale says. “…I didn’t think it was fair to ask my committee to vote on something they didn’t have time to look at.” A review committee met last fall and made recommendations about streamlining state boards and commissions, but Governor Reynolds’ bill to implement those changes wasn’t released until Monday. Bloomingdale says she reviewed the commission’s recommendations, developed a plan that focuses on the obvious changes and sent it to all of the members of her committee on Sunday.

“Everyone looked at it — Democrats and Republicans — and this was the list we came up with and said: ‘Let’s start here,’ and as we have time the rest of session we’ll look at adding to this, ” Bloomingdale says. “We’ll look at the merger recommendations. We’ll look at a couple of these that we didn’t eliminate that we can eliminate, but at this point this is the consensus.” A Senate subcommittee will meet at noon today (Wednesday) to review the governor’s bill which would eliminate or merge 43 percent of state boards and commissions.

(Radio Iowa) – A 40-year-old Webster City man has been arrested by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department after a lengthy investigation into a fatal accident last fall.  Dustin Humlicek (HUM-leh-check) has been charged with homicide by vehicle operating while intoxicated, operating while under the influence and driving with a suspended license. The accident happened at about 3 a.m. on September 2nd near Webster City.

Authorities say Humlicek failed to stop at a stop sign, his pickup entered a ditch and came to rest in the yard of a home. Humlicek and a passenger, 48-year-old Kevin Beightol of Webster City were taken to Webster City’s hospital for treatment, then transported to hospitals in the Des Moines. Beightol, the passenger in the pickup, died later that same day.

A preliminary hearing for Humlicek is scheduled next Tuesday in Hamilton County Magistrate Court.

(Creston, Iowa) [Updated 11-a.m., 2/14] – A Union County man was arrested Tuesday night on drug charges, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, 66-year-old Terry Mark Brown, of Creston, was arrested at around following a traffic stop in the vicinity of Highway 34 and S. Lincoln Street. The K9 “Baxo” was deployed during the traffic stop, and conducted a free-air sniff around the vehicle. After Baxo alerted to the odor of narcotics, approximately one-half ounce of methamphetamine packaged for sale, and a digital scale to weight narcotics, were discovered.

Brown was arrested for Possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance (Meth) – over 5 grams (a Class-B Felony), and Failure to Affix Drug Stamp (a Class-D Felony).  He was being held without bond in the Union County Jail until seen by a magistrate.

Tuesday afternoon, Police in Creston arrested 57-year-old Roy Dean Parrott, of Shannon City. Parrott was charged with Failure to Appear, and Driving While Barred. He was taken to the Union County Jail and later posted a $2,000 cash or approved surety bond on the FTA charges. Parrott was cited and released on a Promise to Appear on the Driving While Barred charge.

(Iowa DNR News) – Coyote hunting moves to center stage for an estimated 10,000 hunters, after most of Iowa’s other hunting seasons have now closed. Although its season never closes, coyotes, the state’s top predator, are hunted most often during the winter. The coyote population is distributed fairly well across the state with the highest numbers in western Iowa. Coyotes are habitat generalists and can be found near large brush piles, timber and grass fields, and in particular, fields with switchgrass.  Coyote hunters need to be aware of the possibility – however remote – that the animal they see through their scope is not a coyote but a wolf passing through the state.

“We’ve had a slight increase in the number of reported wolf sightings over the past few years, so there is a chance, even if it’s small, that a coyote hunter may see a wolf while hunting coyotes, especially at night. Whenever we’ve been able to get DNA samples, these dispersing wolves were members of the Great Lakes population from Wisconsin or Minnesota that were wandering through,” said Vince Evelsizer, state furbearer biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Wolves are protected in Iowa and there is no open season. Shooting a wolf has the potential to bring state and or federal fines. “Hunters want to do the right thing. One of the first rules in safe hunting practices is to positively identify your target and what is behind your target before taking a shot. Wolves are two to three times the size of a coyote. If what you see is larger than the average coyote, it is definitely worth not pulling the trigger,” said Colonel Craig Cutts, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Law Enforcement Bureau.

Other than the obvious size difference – coyotes typically weigh 25-40 pounds, while wolves typically weigh 70-110 pounds – Evelsizer said there are other characteristics to help determine the identity of the canine. Coyotes have a pointed snout and their ears are larger proportionally to their body. Wolves are taller than coyotes, have long front legs and a heavier, squarer frame.  There is more detailed information on coyote and wolf characteristics at www.iowadnr.gov/hunting and scroll to the bottom then click on Iowa’s Occasional Wildlife Visitors.

Hunters prefer a fresh layer of snow for tracking and the white background makes coyotes easier to see from a long distance. Wind is critical to coyote hunters because it impacts where and how they set up for calling and pursuing coyotes as coyotes have a keen nose and are naturally wary. Wearing snow colored camo is often effective to avoid detection. The demand for coyote fur for use as trim for hood and coats in foreign markets was strong just a few years ago, but that has changed. Iowa coyote pelts in 2020 averaged $20.53 per pelt depending on the quality and Iowa’s pelts are considered average. Last year’s average price was $8.70. “The top pelts come from the Dakotas, Montana, and Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada,” Evelsizer said.

“We receive complaints from the public about coyotes’ impact on young deer, turkeys and rabbits; harass pets, and farmers’ loss of livestock. So, in that respect, hunters provide an important service by hunting coyotes,” Cutts said. “That being said, they’re a very wary game animal worthy of respect. We don’t allow the use of artificial light for night hunting on purpose because we encourage fair chase and it could increase the incentive to misuse the technology to poach deer and other wildlife.”

Coyote trapping is allowed, but it must be done during the trapping season.

Coyote hunting dos & don’ts

Hunters are reminded that the way they hunt reflects on all hunters. “With our coyote hunters, we especially want to emphasize respect for landowners and their property lines. Take the extra time to close their gates, obey the laws for safe shots, and thank the landowner – keep your interaction with folks while out hunting positive,” Cutts said. Most coyote hunting takes place on private land, and occasionally hunters will cross property boundaries which lead to trespassing complaints. Hunters cannot pursue coyotes using a snowmobile, aircraft or with the aid of artificial light, regardless of light color.

• Be sure to close all gates that were opened, not trespass where permission was not given and to follow fair chase principles
• Don’t shoot over any road right-of-way, gravel or paved
• If running dogs, be sure to have permission from all landowners in the area where the hunt will take place
• Be sure of the target – make sure it’s a coyote and not a dog.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic will hold a Budget Work Session beginning at 3-p.m. Thursday (Feb. 15th), in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. Here’s a look at the meeting agenda:

 Review and Recommendation on Economic Development Focus for FY 2025 

 Order to go into Exempt Session Pursuant to Iowa Code Section 20.17(3) Providing for the Strategy Meetings of Public Employees for Collective Bargaining

1. Exempt Session Pursuant to Iowa Code Section 20.17(3) Providing for the Strategy Meetings of Public Employees for Collective Bargaining.

1. Order to Leave Exempt Session Pursuant to Iowa Code Section 20.17(3) Providing for the Strategy Meetings of Public Employees for Collective Bargaining.
   

Review and Recommendations on Local Option Sales Tax and & Hotel-Motel Tax

1. LOST Streets Funds.
   

1. West 22^nd Street Project – Update.

1. Review & Recommendation on Transportation Alternative Project (TAP) Funding for Trail Abutting West 22^nd Street.

1. LOST Progress Funds
   

• City Coalition – Update.
  

LOST Parks & YMCA Funds

 Other Discussion

 Adjournment

(Des Moines, Iowa; Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Lawmakers passed dozens of bills through committee Tuesday to keep them available for discussion as they near the first deadline of the 2024 legislative session. It’s “funnel week” at the Iowa State Capitol. That means most bills must be approved by a committee by the end of this week to remain eligible for consideration.

While bills that do not meet this deadline are considered “dead,” it does not mean that the proposals are completely out of consideration for the rest of the session. Legislation involving spending, tax and government oversight components are exempt from the funnel, and language from legislation that did not meet the deadline can be added as amendments to other bills or be brought up as leadership-sponsored legislation.

Legislators in both chambers met for 12 committee meetings Tuesday with packed agendas — the Senate Judiciary Committee had 23 bills on its schedule for discussion. Here are some of the bills kept alive:

Gender balance: The House State Government Committee passed legislation repealing Iowa’s gender balance requirement for boards and commissions on a 15-8 vote Tuesday. House Study Bill 670 would eliminate requirements of equal gender representation on state panels, a measure recommended by the Iowa Boards and Commissions Review Committee in their 2023 report to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and lawmakers.

School buildings: Senate Study Bill 3112 was passed with an amendment by the Senate Local Government Committee. In its amended form, the bill would prohibit political subdivisions, like cities and school districts, from any restrictions on the sale, lease or transfer of educational institutions to private schools. The bill also would require the sale of former school buildings to private schools if they are the highest bidder. Sen. Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport, said the proposal would functionally mandate the sale of former educational buildings to non-public schools, as it would allow private schools to bid again if they are not the initial highest bidder on educational properties. Sen. Jesse Green, R-Boone, said the bill will ensure the best use of public funds by requiring that public school buildings can continue to be used for educational purposes, as well as prevent discrimination against private schools attempting to purchase property.

The measure passed out of committee with Republican support.

Public lands: Senate Study Bill 3129 was passed with an amendment by the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee on Tuesday. It would prevent the Iowa Department of Natural Resources from bidding for land and also from acquiring land from a not-for-profit organization that obtained it at auction. The bill was amended to remove an ambiguous clause that might have prevented all future land transfers from not-for-profit organizations to the DNR. Sen. Tom Shipley, R-Nodaway, said the bill aligns with current DNR policy. However, while there might be exceptions to department policy, the legislation does not provide any.

Republicans of the committee voted to advance it 9-4.

Hand-free driving and speed cameras: Democrats criticized Senate Study Bill 3016 during the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting for combining two measures that have been introduced in previous sessions as separate issues: banning drivers from using cell phones outside of voice-activated or hands-free modes, and banning state and local authorities from using traffic enforcement cameras to enforce traffic laws. Law enforcement officials spoke in support of the hands-free provision at a January subcommittee meeting but asked for lawmakers to remove the traffic camera provisions, saying the technology helps reduce accidents and uphold traffic laws.

The bill passed committee with a 10-8 vote.

Illegal immigration charges: The Senate Judiciary Committee passed Senate File 2211, which would make illegal immigration a state crime in Iowa. Under the bill, law enforcement would be given the authority to arrest immigrants who entered the country illegally, and state courts would be able to order the deportation of undocumented immigrants arrested in Iowa. Law enforcement officers and state agencies would be able to transport undocumented immigrants to ports of entry to ensure they comply with the order to leave the country, and those who refuse to comply with an order to return to their home country could face felony charges.

Gender-neutral language instruction: Iowa foreign language teachers would be prohibited from incorporating gender-neutral language into languages that use grammatical gender systems, like French and Spanish under House File 2060. Rep. Bill Gustoff, R-Des Moines, said the legislation was necessary both to ensure Iowa students are being taught languages as they are used by native speakers throughout the world, and because teachers had been threatened with disciplinary action for not using gender-neutral language or words in world language instruction. But Rep. Heather Matson, D-Ankeny, said the bill would prohibit teachers from including instruction that reflects evolutions in language. The bill passed 15-8.