The state of Iowa collected 782-million dollars in taxes last month, a near-record level. But state officials offer some cautionary notes.

According to an analysis from the Legislative Services Agency, tax collections in May were slightly inflated when compared to the same month a year ago, based on the timing of deposits and when weekends fell. In addition, state income taxes were due April 30th and returns with payments were deposited later this year, providing a significant boost. According to the Legislative Services Agency, “all news was not positive for the month.”

There was a decline in the amount of individual income taxes withheld from May paychecks, indicating some Iowans may have been laid off while others saw their work hours reduced. Despite those negative notes, overall net state tax collections are running one-point-three percent ahead of what officials had expected.

There is only one other May on record that eclipses May of 2011 in terms of state tax collections. Nearly 792-million dollars in state taxes were paid in May of 2007, which is about 10 million dollars more than was collected last month.

(O.Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday passed five Resolutions, each, by a vote of six-to-one. The Council however, tabled a Resolution on approving the contract and bonds for a Hot Melt Asphalt Paving and Storm Sewer Improvement project, because the contractor, Carley Construction, of Avoca, had not yet returned its contract to the City.

Those projects which were approved Wednesday night include: a Portland Cement Concrete (P.C.C.) paving and storm sewer improvement project; the Sunnyside Park road resurfacing and parking improvements project; the Bull Creek Pathway resurfacing project, and City sidewalk repair project.

Councilman Kern Miller voted against the Bull Creek and City Park sidewalk repair projects, because he thought they should not have been paid for through the issuance of bonds. Miller said the council should have given the four-percent hotel-motel tax, which went into effect in January, a chance to build-up the funds to pay for the projects, since they are part of the City’s Park and Rec Program, which is funded in-part by proceeds from the tax. City Administrator Doug Harris said Henningsen Construction is expected to begin work on the Bull Creek Project June 18, and it should be completed by the 30th. Work on the Sunnyside project is underway, and should be finished within seven-to 10-days, depending on the weather.

In other business, the Council, by a vote of 6-to1, set June 15th as the date for a public hearing on a proposed internal advance and loan to fund a $125,000 incentive grant for Boulders Inn  and Suites. The  monies would come from the City’s Economic Development Fund.  Councilman Shaun Shouse, who is the Council’s liaison to the Finance Committee, said while a Development and Minimum Asssement agreement the City made with Boulders in May of 2010, has not officially been received…other than a faxed copy of the signed agreement, which is not binding…there is an understanding in place, and the contract is more or less, “in the mail.”

Shouse says the finance committee has met a couple of different times, most recently Tuesday evening, trying to fine-tune the agreement, and,  the attorney’s for both Boulders and the City of Atlantic have looked over the contract. The committee recommended the Council set a date for the hearing, based on the current status of the agreement.

Doug Harris says the latest proposal presented to Boulders’ developers, is for a $125,000 up-front grant from the City, and a total of $41,000 in tax rebates. The rebates would be spread out over the course of nine-years, rather than four, thereby allowing the City a better cash flow, and, he says, the ability to fund other, needed public improvements.

The developer would also realize  another $42,208 in tax avoidance savings. The incentives package would end up costing the City $247,464, or about $5,824 less than what the City offered last May.
In his report to the Council, Harris said work on the new wastewater treatment plant in Atlantic is progressing well, despite all the rain we’ve had recently. He said also, Roger Herring, the new Parks and Rec Director will be taking over for Travis Garrett, beginning Thursday. Garrett announced his resignation earlier this year.

Speaking of recreation, Doug Harris said the rates at the City pool, which opened Wednesday, are going up, but with the exception of the single-day passes, the rates have not been doubled, as some have said. He says the family seasonal rate was increased from $150 to $160, the single rate from $75 to $90, and the day pass, from two to four-dollars.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad is heading for western Iowa to check on flood readiness along the Missouri River.

Branstad will be joined by Derek Hill of Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management in Sioux City on Thursday.

They’ll check on sandbagging efforts and will hold a news conference with local officials on flood preparations and response.

The swollen river is rolling downstream from the Northern Plains, affecting cities and towns from North Dakota to Iowa and Nebraska. Near Sioux City, residents of the upscale community of Dakota Dunes in South Dakota have been told to move to higher ground.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is increasing releases from the six dams on the Missouri River to drain water from record rains in the past few weeks.

(DES MOINES) – In response to flooding concerns along the Missouri River, officials
from several key response agencies came together today to plan for what will be “an
extensive flood fight,” according to officials with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers.

Water levels in reservoirs along the Missouri River in South Dakota have risen to
the point where it will become necessary for the Army Corps of Engineers to begin
releasing more water downstream – which will cause flooding in Nebraska, Iowa and
eventually Missouri.

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, together with their many local,
state and federal partners, continue to monitor the situation and provide resources
to those areas impacted by flooding.

At this time, only one mandatory evacuation has been ordered in Iowa as a result of
flooding along the Missouri River. (Pottawattamie)

Woodbury County
•        The county has declared a state of emergency to enable emergency purchases
and assistance.
•        250,000 sandbags have been supplied to the city of Sioux City by the Army
Corps of Engineers.
•        Most citizens that will be impacted by the flooding will be because of lack
of access to their homes.
•        Officials are also keeping an eye on Floyd River and Perry Creek, which may
have a greater impact to homeowners than the Missouri River.
Monona County
•        The county has requested 70,000 sandbags and technical assistance from the
Army Corps of Engineers.
•        Monona County officials will conduct an informational meeting regarding the
possible flooding which will impact areas in Monona County. The meeting will take
place on Thursday, June 2 at 7 p.m. at West Monona High School, 1314 Fifteenth
Street in Onawa.
Harrison County
•        The county has a supply of sandbags but has not placed any at this point.
Pottawattamie County
•        A small neighborhood with few homes in Council Bluffs was evacuated late
last week.  These homes are located on the "wet side" of the levee.
•        Pottawattamie County has issued a local emergency declaration to enable
emergency purchases.
Fremont
•        The county has requested 30,000 sandbags from the Army Corps of Engineers.
•        Hamburg is NOT currently under an evacuation order, however, citizens have
been advised by local officials to not rely on the levee.

(Press release from the office of IA Gov. Terry Branstad)

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County say three men were arrested over the weekend on drug-related charges. 26-year-old Sergio Emilio Coedova and 19-year-old David Anthony Ortiz, both of Omaha, as well as 36-year-old Jason Anthony Hall, of Council Bluffs were taken into custody at around 7:30-p.m., Sunday, at Mile Hill Lake in Glenwood.

The trio each face charges which include two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. All three were being held in the Mills County Jail on $2300 bond, each.

The City Council in Walnut will hear from Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker, when they meet Thursday evening. Danker will discuss with the council law enforcement concerns and answer any questions they may have.

The council will also hold a public hearing with regard to the proposed plans and specs, form of contract and probable construction cost, for the Walnut street improvement projects. After the hearing, the council will act on consideration of a resolution adopting the plans, specifications and form of contract, review the construction bids, and award the contract for construction.

They’re also expected to consider the adoption of resolutions pertaining to the transferring of funds from: the Local Option Capital Improvement fund into the City’s General Fund, Street Improvements Capital Project and Splash Pad Project Funds; the City’s TIF Fund into the Debt Service Fund; the General Fund into the Splash Pad Project Fund, Fire Department Equipment Fund, and Fire Department Ambulance Trust Fund.

Other matters to come before the Walnut City Council Thursday at 5:00-p.m., include discussion and/or action pertaining to: park issues; the raising of chickens within City limits; a replacement on the Board of Adjustment; the Fiscal Year ending, June 30^th 2011 audit, and more.

A high-speed chase in Mills County Tuesday afternoon led to the recovery of stolen property,  but the suspect got away. Mills County Deputy Bruce Paulsen told KJAN News they received a call at around 4-p.m., about suspicious activity involving a white male in his mid-20’s, and a tan or multi-colored 1994 Jeep. The activity was taking place at Mile Hill Lake, just outside of Glenwood, on Highway 34.

Paulsen says the suspect was breaking into other vehicles parked at the lake. A deputy who happened to be nearby when the call came in, pulled up just as the suspect’s vehicle was about to leave. When the deputy activated his lights and siren, the Jeep took off.

The chase went on for about 37-minutes. Paulsen says speeds during the pursuit topped 100-miles per hour at times. He says as it turns out, the vehicles’ license plates had been switched with a similar vehicle owned by a resident of Omaha.

As the chase ensued, the suspect tossed items stolen from the other vehicles out onto the road. When the chase crossed over the Plattsmouth Bridge into Nebraska, authorities in Iowa broke-off their pursuit and notified officials in Nebraska. The suspect ditched the Jeep and took off on foot. He remained at large as of today.

The vehicle was recovered as evidence.