(Griswold, Iowa) – Griswold School District patrons are getting some good news with regard to their property tax rate. Superintendent Dave Henrichs says the tax asking levy per thousand dollars assessed valuation, has declined again.

It’s the fifth- or sixth-year in a row they’ve been able to decrease the levy rate, according to Henrichs. Another positive is with regard to the District’s General Obligation Bond, which was originally taken out to construct the new Elementary Building.

With regard to the 2024-25 District Calendar, there was a reduction in two instructional days, which will coincide with two less days for the teachers’ contract.

The 2024-25 School Year in Griswold begins August 23rd, 2024, and will conclude May 23rd, 2025, providing there aren’t several snow days. Public hearings were held Monday on both the Budget and Calendar. There were no objections to either, therefore the Board passed each as presented.

In other business, the Griswold School Board approved renewal of a Transportation Director Sharing Agreement with the Atlantic School District, and a School Business Official (SBO) Sharing Agreement with the Riverside School District.

He said the agreements have been in-place for years, and has proven to have been a good working relationship with each respective district, fills the district’s needs, and also provides a little extra funding through Operational Sharing. Henrichs said also, Middle/High School Principal Stephanie Brady submitted her resignation, which the Board accepted, and is in effect at the end of the current school year.

Superintendent Henrichs reported that all teaching positions have been filled.And, he said the Board approved a 2024-25 shared Girls Wrestling Program with the Red Oak School District. The agreement began at the start of the current school year, and while the Griswold School Board approved the arrangement, there is a chance the Red Oak School District may elect not the renew it for the coming school year, if the Iowa Girl’s High School Athletic Association makes changes to wrestling classifications.

In their final order of business prior to a Closed Session, Monday evening, the Griswold School Board approved the list of 2024 graduates.

(Creston, Iowa) – Two people from Creston have been arrested on drug charges. According to the Creston Police Department, 53-year-old Lisa Kay Foster was arrested at her home in the 600 block of N. Pine Street in Creston, at around 11:10-p.m., Tuesday. Foster was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was cited and released on a Promise to Appear in court.

And, at around 12-a.m. today (Wednesday), 28-year-old Taran Paul Alexander Austin was arrested his residence in Creston. Austin was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He too, was cited and released on a Promise to Appear in court.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session Tuesday morning (April 16, 2024). In his meeting minutes, Auditor/Board Secretary Mark Maxwell reports Geralyn Greer, Shelby County Recorder, was on hand to present the Supervisors the Recorders quarterly report; revenues are up in a year to year comparison. Also her office has been busy with tag renewals for recreational vehicles. Her office has also been receiving phone calls about fraud fears with property ownership. Procedures are in the works to make the system a more secure environment for property records.

The Supervisors, after their review, then considered and approved a job description to be used for the hiring of a permanent EMS coordinator for Shelby County. The sale of the Annex building owned by Shelby County was then discussed. The Board voted to place a deadline of June 3rd at 4:30, for submittal of any bids, and the minimum bid of $265,000 being used as a starting bid point for bidders. Each bid shall include a 10% down payment for acceptance of their bid.

Todd Valline of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry gave an update of events happening in the coming weeks. The preservation of the Shelby County Museum is taking place, the public is being asked to keep away from the area until completion. The Chamber is reaching out for new members as well as member renewals.

Secondary Roads Head, Chris Fredericksen, asked the Supervisors to approve a utilities permits for Marne Elkhorn telephone company. A motion to approve the application was passed unanimously. Next, a utility permit for Zayo Group was considered. Maxwell noted the permit for is simply pulling new wire through an existing conduit. That too, was approved as presented. Fredericksen then reported that the paving on County Road F24 is progressing nicely and the paving has reached the bridge, just west of Irwin. Fredericksen then gave thanks to the public for their cooperation in helping keep traffic off of the road while this project is taking place.

Finding it necessary to re-post a budget amendment for fiscal year 2024, the Board passed a Resolution setting May 21, 2024 at 9-a.m., as the date and time for a Public Hearing on the amendment as proposed. The proposed expenditures are attributed to Jail incarcerations and costs which are up sharply, property insurance increases, secondary roads construction projects, and water well grant expenditures. Mark Maxwell noted there is also over $80,000 in unexpected income for Shelby County, from numerous sources. And, the Sheriff has asked for expending some reserve Capital fund money and a $15,000 increase in spending for salaries.