Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand, Sunday (Pi Day), announced the winners of the first Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) Awards. Auditor Sand made good on his campaign promise and established the PIE program in 2019. 79 counties and 267 cities took Auditor Sand’s opportunity to share how they are using practical tips and tricks to reduce waste, by filling out the Office’s “PIE” chart.

Iowa’s local governments also developed “PIE” recipes to be shared by their creators with other public entities statewide. Cost-cutting measures range from shutting off the lights to reduce energy costs, to the creation of policies that reduce travel expenses.

Cities and counties were awarded points, based on the number of cost-cutting measures implemented in 2019 and 2020.
This year’s PIE Awards go to:
• Largest City: Cedar Rapids, population 132,301*
• Smallest City: Beaconsfield, population 18* (Ringgold County)
• Largest County: Polk County, population 490,161*
• Smallest County: Ringgold County, population 4,964*
• Most Submissions Within a County: Johnson County, 100% participation among agencies.
• Most Improved: A tie between the cities of Dysart and Wilton. Each more than doubled the number of efficiency measures from 2019 to 2020.
• Overall Best Performing City: Montezuma, 42 efficiency measures.
• Overall Best Performing County: Fayette, 50 efficiency measures.
• Best Performing County, Largest Fifth in Population: Johnson County
• Best Performing County, Second Fifth in Population: Fayette County
• Best Performing County, Middle Fifth in Population: Tie between Iowa and Cass Counties.
• Best Performing County, Fourth Fifth in Population: Mitchell County
• Best Performing County, Smallest Fifth in Population: Ida County
• Best Performing City, Largest Fifth in Population: Cedar Rapids
• Best Performing City, Second Fifth in Population: Montezuma
• Best Performing City, Middle Fifth in Population: Plainfield
• Best Performing City, Fourth Fifth in Population: Alleman
• Best Performing City, Smallest Fifth in Population: Ricketts

The winners of this year’s PIE Awards will receive a pie of their choice, hand delivered by Auditor Sand.
Auditor Sand thanks all of the PIE participants and appreciates their efforts to save taxpayer money.
*Based on 2019 Census

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Tyson says about a third of workers at its Waterloo, Iowa have received the COVID-19 vaccine. The Quad-City Times on Sunday reported the vaccination rate at the plant, where the virus has already sickened about a third of the site’s nearly 3,000 employees.

Waterloo Tyson is linked to at least six worker deaths from the coronavirus. The company hosted vaccination clinics this month for Waterloo workers. The virus has ravaged the meatpacking industry across the U.S.

One person died during acollision between a Jeep and a semi in southeastern Iowa early Sunday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2020 Jeep Liberty driven by 21-year-old Griselda Lisbet Chavez-Pazcual, of Ottumwa, was traveling west on W. 2nd Street in Ottumwa, when the SUV went out of control. It crossed the center line and struck an eastbound 2005 International truck driven by 80-year old Wayne Deen Waters, of Blakesburg. The accident happened at around 1:10-a.m.

Chavez-Pazcual, who was not wearing a seat belt, died after being transported to the Ottumwa Regional Hospital. Wayne Waters was not injured in the crash. The State Patrol was assisted by Ottumwa Police and Fire, and Ormics Ambulance.

Area school boards are set to hold separate meetings, Monday evening. To start them off, the Griswold School Board will gather in the Conference Room at 5:30-p.m. for a public hearing on the 2021-22 Budget. The regular session will follow, and includes:

• Discussion and possible action of a Mask Mandate.
• Consider approval of a Resolution Authorizing the redemption of General Purpose Obligation School Bonds, Series 2017, levying a tax for FY 2022, and related matters.
• Consider approval also, of: the 2021-22 Budget; A Senior FFA trip; Mowing bids, and Driver’s Ed fees.
• Approve Master Contracts for GCEA and a School-Based Interventionist, Technology Coordinator, Master Contract for Non-Certified Staff, Contract renewals for Certified Staff, Coaches/Sponsors, Administration, etc.
• Approving also: Elementary Guidance, and School Business Official sharing agreements with the Riverside CSD; and a Transportation Director & Industrial Technology Program sharing agreements with the Atlantic CSD.
• They will also consider approval of a Stage Curtain purchase.

The Exira-Elk Horn Kimballton School Board meets 6-p.m. Monday in the Conference Room at the Elk Horn Building. Among the discussion/action items on their agenda, is:

• Approving a 30/70 Sharing Agreement with IKM-Manning
• Setting the date for a Public Hearing on the proposed 21-22 Budget for 6-p.m., April 12th.
• Approving: Certified Teacher and Support Staff salaries; and a Return to Learn (face mask/covering) policy.

The CAM School Board will meet 6:30-p.m. Monday in the CAM High School Superintendent’s Office. Among the items on their agenda is:

• Approval of the CAM/Nodaway Valley SBO (School Business Official) Sharing Agreement, a Budget Guarantee Resolution and the makeup of the Facilities Committee.
• Presentations of the FY21/22 School Calendar and FY21/22 Budget, along with the setting of Public Hearing dates.
• Discuss with regard to a daycare in Massena.

And, the Audubon School Board will meet 7-p.m. Monday, in the High School Board Room. Their action items include:

• Approval of a tentative agreement with the Audubon Education Association
• Setting the date/time for a Budget Hearing
• Approval of Weight Room quotes (weight equipment, flooring & concrete replacement at the drain)
• Approval of: Surplus property (Old weight room equipment & flooring); Technology Updates; Softball Field Improvements; the FY 22 School Calendar; Hiring an additional Kindergarten Teacher, if necessary, and the hiring of an additional Elementary Special Education Teacher.

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Board is set to meet 5:15-p.m. Monday, via ZOOM. Action items/New Business/Information on their agenda will cover:

• An Easter Egg Cruise
• Summer Programs
• Sunnyside Pool
• Schildberg Rec Area Campground
• Sunnyside Tennis Courts

And, in his report to the Board, Director Bryant Rasmussen will discuss/review:

• The Snow Sculpture Contest
• Reservation Calendar QR Codes
• Dog Park Equipment
• and a Winter Rec Day.

A Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) gets underway this week, in advance of St. Patrick’s Day. The Iowa State Patrol is joining Iowa’s statewide Traffic Fatality Task Force, in an effort to reduce deaths on Iowa roadways. As part of the effort, Troopers in District 3 (Council Bluffs) will be checking for seat belt compliance and reducing the number of impaired drivers on the road, as the St. Patrick’s Day holiday time frame is typically one of the most deadly in the state, according to the most recent 10-year crash data.

St. Patrick’s Day can be unlucky for those drivers who don’t plan ahead. If you chose to celebrate, designate a SOBER driver, and always wear your seat belt.

Some data on this upcoming holiday:

• In Iowa, March 17th is typically one of the biggest drinking nights of the year, and one of the deadliest on the roadways.
• In 2019, there were two crashes in Iowa that killed a total of four people. Drunk/impaired driving accounts for nearly one-third of vehicle related fatalities in the state and in the U-S.
• Nationally, in 2018 alone, 73 people (or, 39% of all crash fatalities) were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, and 33% of the motorists 16 and older killed in the crashes, had a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit.

The eventual goal for fatalities in Iowa is ZERO, but the goal for 2021 is under 300, down from 338 in 2020. If achieved, authorities say it would be the first time Iowa traffic deaths were under 300 lives, since 1925.