Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman said Tuesday (today), Gronewald, Bell, Kyhnn & Co. P.C. CPAs have released an audit report on Cass County, Iowa for fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. The report shows the County had local tax revenue of $33,556,439 for the year ended June 30, 2020, which included $3,127,334 in tax credits from the state. The County forwarded $24,819,145 of the local tax revenue to the townships, school districts, county hospital, cities and other taxing entities in the County.

The County retained $8,737,294 of the local tax revenue to finance County operations, a .2 percent increase from the prior year. Other revenues included $4,150,486 from the State of Iowa, including indirect federal funding of $124,498, charges for service of $355,933, and $342,253 for the use of money and property.

Expenditures for County operations totaled $12,862,581, a 6.3 percent decrease from the prior year. Expenses included $5,891,070 for roads and transportation, $371,860 for mental health services, $2,940,209 for public safety and legal services, $552,773 for county environment and education, $288,816 for debt service, $202,289 for capital projects, and $1,560,948 for administrative services.

A copy of the audit report is available for review in the office of the Auditor of State and the Cass County Auditor’s office.

Police in Creston say a man residing in the 600 block of N. Birch reported Monday afternoon, that sometime between 11-p.m. Sunday and 2:45-a.m. Monday, someone stole his 2005 Honda Shadow 750cc motorcycle that was parked on the north side of his residence, as well as numerous keys from a vehicle also parked at the residence. The loss was estimated at $4,525.

A public hearing will be held Wednesday evening in Atlantic, with regard to the 2021-22 Atlantic Public School District Certified Budget. The meeting will be held in the High School Media Center and via YouTube, beginning at 5-p.m. According to Atlantic School District Superintendent Steve Barber,s the tax levy is $13.95 per thousand dollars of valuation, which is lower than the previous year of $14.22/$1,000 per one thousand dollars of valuation, with property valuations increasing 2.5-percent.

The Board will act on a Resolution “Levying a tax for Fiscal Year 2021-22 for the future optional redemption of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2019.” Barber says because they didn’t dip into the cash reserves needed a few years ago and used some of the dollars to help pay on a bond, the district was given some flexibility on how much they pay for the bond. The district has also paid ahead on the ten-year obligation bond. The various scenarios the district looked at could potentially save the district $120,000 to $250,000.

The Board will act on approving the Certified Budget and setting Paraprofessional Day as April 7^th, 2021.

(by Mike Moen/Iowa News Service) DES MOINES, Iowa — Talks continue in Washington on another stimulus-style package to help the U.S. recover from the pandemic, including transportation infrastructure improvements. A coalition said it’s not just crumbling roads and bridges that need a federal boost and the jobs that come with it. Organizers say it’s time for the U.S. to invest in the nation’s care infrastructure by adopting a permanent paid family leave policy.

Dawn Huckelbridge, director of the Paid Leave for All campaign, said the nation can’t walk away from the crisis without one. “You know, we talk about front-line workers and essential workers and the sacrifices that families and caregivers have made,” Huckelbridge observed. “This is how we honor that, by passing a permanent law to protect them.”

While a temporary paid leave policy was included in a previous stimulus bill, advocates contended working families will struggle in the long term, because fewer than ten states require it, not including Iowa. Opponents of the idea said many employers have their own policy, and a requirement could harm small business owners.

Sue Dinsdale, executive director of the Iowa Citizen Action Network, said paying into a federal fund would provide stability for businesses in the long run because they could retain quality workers by offering the benefit. “It’ll make businesses stronger, and it offers better equality for everyone,” Dinsdale argued. She added even though states such as Iowa adhere to requiring 12 weeks of unpaid leave through a federal law adopted in 1993, there are uneven results of employers providing compensation with any leave.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported only about 20% of Americans have access to paid family leave.

The Exira Community Club held their 5^th Annual 4^th of July Kickoff event this past weekend, during which it was announced Don and Mary Greving will serve as the Grand Marshals for the 156^th Celebration, entitled “Stronger together.”

Don and Mary Greving (Photo via Exira Community Club Facebook page)

The ECC says the Greving’s raised three kids and worked in Exira. Don Greving worked for the city and recently retired after a 39-year career. He also serves with the Exira Volunteer Fire Dept. Mary started the fall festival with another woman in town many years ago.

The couple have been involved in numerous volunteer activities and events, are active in their church and Meals on Wheels.