DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state audit says the management of millions of dollars collected annually to run the state’s enhanced 911 system needs dramatic improvement after auditors found many counties either underreported or over reported costs by thousands of dollars.

Iowa Auditor Mary Mosiman doesn’t conclude money was misspent but she says the audit reveals weaknesses in the tracking of more than $120 million spent each year to run 114 emergency dispatch centers in 99 counties.

John Benson, a spokesman for the Iowa’s emergency management agency says the audit mandated by the Legislature will help counties improve reporting. About one-fourth of 911 costs are funded by a $1 surcharge on telephones and cell phones. The rest comes from counties, cities and other sources.

Authorities in Nebraska have identified the victim of a fiery car-versus-semi crash that happened at around 3-a.m. Feb. 24th, as a man from southwest Iowa. According to WOWT-TV in Omaha, 61-year old Richard Wilcoxsen, of Bedford died in the crash that happened on Highway 75 in Bellevue, NE.

The Sarpy County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Office said Wilcoxen was driving a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee the wrong way on Highway 75 , southbound in the northbound lanes, when the SUV hit a semi-truck and trailer head-on. The SUV burst into flames shortly after  impact. The driver of the semi, Milos Forcan, was taken to Bellevue Medical Center but refused medical treatment.

An investigation into the crash continues. Autopsy and toxicology reports are pending.

The Iowa Senate has passed a bill that would require carbon monoxide detectors in apartments and rental homes as well as any new structure that’s built in Iowa. Senator Jeff Danielson, a Democrat from Cedar Falls, says stand-alone detectors cost between 20 and 50 dollars, plus many smoke detectors now contain a carbon monoxide sensor as well.

“We have an opportunity to save a handful of lives in Iowa with a technology that now is readily available and for pennies on the dollar,” Danielson says. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. Danielson — who is a professional fire fighter — says it’s toxic because carbon monoxide inhibits the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. “We have documented cases in the fire service of people in their homes who wake up in the middle of the night, know there is a fire, smoke is around them and can’t move because carbon monoxide paralyzes you,” Danielson says.

Officials say about 300 Iowans wind up in an emergency room each year to be treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. “Of that, roughly 30-40 are hospitalized for the more serious cases,” Danielson says. “And then about 20 Iowans a year die from carbon monoxide poisoning and yet we have no requirement at all in Iowa for a carbon monoxide detector to be installed in your home.”

If the bill becomes law, private home owners would be asked to voluntarily install a carbon monoxide detector when they apply for the homestead tax credit. The bill passed the Senate on a 37 to 11 vote late Monday afternoon. It now goes to the House, where a similar bill has been under consideration.

(Radio Iowa)

A public hearing will take place Wednesday morning in Greenfield, with regard to the Fiscal Year 2017 Adair County Budget. The meeting takes place in the Adair County Courthouse Boardroom, beginning at 9-a.m., as part of the regular, Board of Supervisors’ meeting. The Board discussed the final changes and fund balances during their meeting Feb. 10th. Following the public hearing, the Supervisors will act on approving the Budget as presented.

In other business, the Adair County Supervisors will receive and review the FY 2015 County Audit. At 10-a.m., County Engineer Nick Kauffman will receive the Board’s approval for the signing of contracts with Gus Construction for Rural County Bridge culvert and other bridge projects, as well as approval of an agreement between the Iowa DOT and Adair County for the “County Highway Bridge Program,” and he’ll discuss Level B road classification.