Heather Knebel.

April has been a great month of warmer temperatures and finally some much needed rain! The budget development process is now behind us for the year, but we will continue to monitor it as the year progresses. Our Supervisor meetings are running smoothly and the agendas are still very full. You can watch our videos on YouTube and all agendas are online on the Tama County website.

Here are some committee updates from the boards I represent:

Iowa Workforce Development

I met with Michelle Roseburrough, Business Engagement Consultant. We discussed several topics such as economic development, jobs, hiring challenges in the community, housing, businesses, budgets, grants, and everything in between. Michelle has been in this role since January 2025, so she plans to bring all we discussed back to her team and provide ideas on how to help Tama County.

DECAT Orientation

I was formally trained on Decategorization Board last month in which I serve as the Tama County representative, along with Jasper and Poweshiek Counties (JPT). DECAT was started in 1987 and works with CPPC (Community Partnerships for Protecting Children). The goal of DECAT is to allow for unspent child welfare dollars to be reinvested in local communities for locally identified needs of “at risk” children and their families. There are events and strategies to help children benefit from services and learning events that promote safety and wellness. Funding begins at the state level from the HHS Department, and unspent dollars are re-apportioned according to population, and we have three years to spend the money. Non-profit organizations or other entities apply for these dollars to help in funding the services they offer, and our board (JPT) approves any contracts awarded. We discussed ideas for events covering such areas as safety events, parent engagement and education, child abuse prevention, sharing in cost of mental health advocates or resources officers at schools, etc.

Heartland Insurance Risk Pool

The Heartland Risk Pool board approved $25,000 to Tama County for use on the current lawsuit that the Board of Supervisors can use to defend against Salt Creek Wind. The money can be used toward outside counsel legal fees. The 2025/2026 Holmes Murphy Renewal process is completed for liability, employment, equipment, and property insurance.

I know the local newspaper reported on the lawsuits in Tama County government. There are currently four lawsuits, three of them dealing with the wind project, and one from a prior county employee. Please be aware that several of the lawsuits have coverage from the insurance risk pool. The only legal expense currently paid by Tama County above the $25,000 allocated from the risk pool, is for the Supervisors outside counsel. There have been a lot of conflicting viewpoints on the ordinances and Iowa code. We are doing everything possible to ensure all issues get resolved as soon as possible, and that all ordinances/permits are followed. I appreciate everyone’s patience during this stressful time. Please reach out if you have concerns.

There is currently a part-time position available for the Zoning Administrator/Weed Commissioner due to a resignation, and it is posted on the Tama County website. Chris Behrens is temporarily covering this position until a new person is hired. Chris is the Tama County Environmental Health Officer/Sanitarian and has much experience approving permits, thus a great choice for this temporary situation. The Tama County Assessor’s office has Building Permit applications that can be picked up and dropped off at their location for the interim. The IT Director position is still open and posted on the website for applications as well.

I participated in Government Day this month, which was a great opportunity to meet with Junior and Senior High School students from around the county and help educate them about county government. I attended the Union Grove Lake Open House in Gladbrook and was able to meet several board members and many others, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Their board is doing a great job in taking care of the lake and its residents! If you haven’t already, check out the playground and waterfall at Union Grove Lake. My family and I also participated in the Easter Egg Hunt in Traer’s Taylor Park. Thanks to all who help in organizing this yearly event.

As usual, please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Supervisor Heather Knebel (R-Traer), the first elected female supervisor in Tama County history, represents District 3, including the townships of Spring Creek, Crystal, Perry, and parts of far northern Carlton (excluding Garwin) and Howard. She can be reached at 641-481-2532 or hknebel@tamacounty.org.