The Story County Board of Supervisors met August 4, 2026, at the Administration Building in Nevada for a regular meeting that combined routine county business with several decisions involving conservation, technology, personnel, financial administration, economic development, infrastructure, and community programming. The agenda was adopted by recorded affirmative votes, and no one spoke during either of the meeting's two public-comment periods.
One of the first major items was the opening of contractor bids for the Hannum's Mill Dam Modification project. The bid documents required additional calculation and verification during the meeting, so county officials repeatedly emphasized that the numbers announced at the opening were preliminary. Iowa Earthworks, Michaels Corporation of Brownsville, Wisconsin, and Excavating Solutions of Prairie City, Iowa, were identified during the opening. Excavating Solutions' written figures were announced as $695,044.26 plus a $26,700 alternate, for $721,744.26 total. County engineering staff were assigned to tabulate and verify all bids, with additional information expected the following week. No construction contract was awarded during this meeting.
The Board formally proclaimed August 7, 2026, as Purple Heart Day in Story County. The proclamation recognized service members who were wounded or killed in combat and acknowledged Story County's veteran population, including Purple Heart recipients. The motion was approved by the recorded affirmative votes reflected in the transcript.
Two agency reports provided information about public health and family services. Environmental Health reported 117 nitrate samples during fiscal year 2026, with none exceeding the maximum contaminant level of 10. The department reported 11 well permits—seven water-supply, three geothermal, and one dewatering permit—and said it used just under $50,000 from the private-well grant. Radon information covering January 1 through July 16 included 349 tests reported for ZIP codes that include Story County, although officials cautioned that some ZIP codes extend outside the county and not all tests represented county-distributed kits.
Prairie Flower, described as a nature-based, play-based, child-led program, reported on its first year as a relatively new ASSET-funded agency. Story County ASSET provided $7,790 in fiscal year 2025-26 to support a sliding-fee scale for lower-income families. Prairie Flower reported serving 103 children from 94 families, including nine toddlers, 41 preschoolers, and 53 school-aged children; 41 children received services supported by the ASSET funding. The presenter noted that participation supported by the funding was lower than it otherwise might have been because the sliding-fee scale did not begin until August.
A large group of administrative and financial matters was approved through the consent agenda. Those items included the FY26 Fund Balance Resolution; a $3,500 GovInvest TrueComp renewal; FY2027 Story County Economic Development Group allocations; an equitable-sharing agreement and certification report; a $2,099.50 Zoom licensing renewal; a $15,611.77 Microsoft on-premises licensing renewal; tax suspensions; setting an August 11 public hearing on a proposed zoning-map amendment; a $14,105 annual fiber-locate contract; two utility permits; and the appointment of a Deputy Recorder. Because the Board approved the consent agenda as a single motion without pulling individual items for discussion, the meeting itself contained little separate debate on these measures.
A particularly significant conservation decision involved Resolution #27-02 and the purchase of property for $229,001. The property was described during the meeting as approximately 35 acres containing a rare remnant sedge meadow of very high ecological value. Staff said it ranked second in the county's sensitive-areas inventory and described the acquisition as being at fair market value, with an 11-year payment structure supported by a donation. After a public hearing at which no one spoke, the Board approved the resolution. Staff anticipated that a small parking area would be needed before public access and discussed a possible opening later in the fall, potentially around September, but that timing was presented as an expectation rather than a guaranteed opening date.
The Board also approved revisions to Story County's financial policies, subject to the county's seven-day review process. Auditor Lucy Martin explained that the revisions provide more detailed procedures for disposal of tangible assets such as computers, vehicles, and furniture and add a new Appendix C. The revisions also correct references affected by previous purchasing and procurement changes, including reflecting that the physical-inventory threshold had already increased from $500 to $1,000. Martin characterized the disposal provisions largely as documentation of practices the county was already following rather than a major change in day-to-day operations.
Another approved item allows the Ames and Story County Juneteenth Celebration's traveling public-art installation to be displayed at the Administration Building, Human Services Center, and Justice Center. The concept grew from a participatory Juneteenth art project into an installation intended to travel beyond its initial display. Organizers discussed contacting school districts, libraries, and city halls so the artwork could circulate more broadly throughout Story County and encourage continued community conversation and participation. The Board approved hosting the installation in county facilities.
The meeting concluded with supervisor updates about upcoming county work, including countywide recycling, broadband, an anticipated request for proposals to update the Iowa Creek watershed assessment, and possible interviews for conservation director finalists. The Board then voted to enter closed session under Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c) for litigation strategy with counsel. The agenda states that the purpose was to discuss pending or imminent litigation where disclosure could prejudice the county's position. The Board later returned to open session and adjourned; the public materials reviewed here do not establish any separate action resulting from the closed-session discussion.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Hannum's Mill Dam Modification Bid Opening
The Board opened contractor bids for the Hannum's Mill Dam Modification project. Iowa Earthworks, Michaels Corporation of Brownsville, Wisconsin, and Excavating Solutions of Prairie City, Iowa, were identified during the bid opening. Some bid forms did not provide readily identifiable totals, leading participants to calculate figures aloud and emphasize that those figures needed verification.
For Iowa Earthworks, several different calculations were stated during the meeting, including figures around $749,000 and a possible total including an alternate. Because county officials explicitly said these numbers would be checked, they should not be treated as verified bid totals. Michaels Corporation's figures were also not clearly established in the transcript. Excavating Solutions' bid contained written totals of $695,044.26 for the base amount and $26,700 for the alternate, producing an announced total of $721,744.26.
The Engineering Department was to tabulate and verify the bids. Officials said they expected to have something to bring back the following week. The Board did not award the dam-modification contract at this meeting, making contractor selection and the final verified cost an important follow-up item.
Purple Heart Day Proclamation
The Board considered and adopted a proclamation recognizing August 7, 2026, as Purple Heart Day in Story County. The proclamation acknowledged Purple Heart recipients and encouraged county residents to recognize their sacrifices and service. The motion received affirmative recorded votes and was declared adopted.
Environmental Health Quarterly Report
Environmental Health reported increased sampling activity between fiscal years 2023 and 2026. Fiscal year 2026 included 117 nitrate samples, none of which exceeded the stated maximum contaminant level of 10. Eleven well permits were reported: seven water-supply permits, three geothermal permits, and one dewatering-well permit. The department also reported using just under $50,000 from the private-well grant.
Radon testing was another focus. For January 1 through July 16, the outside company's data showed 349 tests in ZIP codes that include Story County, while 165 kits had been distributed through the county-related program. Staff cautioned that the geographic data are imperfect because some ZIP codes cross county boundaries and because not every distributed kit had necessarily been tested. A subcontractor had also been assisting with water sampling since mid-June.
This was an informational report rather than a separate Board action.
Prairie Flower Annual Report
Prairie Flower described itself as a nature-based, play-based, child-led program. Story County ASSET awarded the program $7,790 for fiscal year 2025-26 to support a sliding-fee scale that makes services less expensive for lower-income families.
The program reported serving 103 children from 94 families: nine toddlers, 41 preschoolers, and 53 school-aged children. Forty-one children were served with ASSET-supported funding. The presenter explained that the funded participation figure was affected by the sliding-fee program not beginning until August at the start of the fiscal year.
The Board received the report without taking a separate formal action.
Minutes, Personnel Actions, and Consent Agenda
The Board approved the July 28, 2026 meeting minutes and separately approved the personnel actions presented. It then approved the entire consent agenda after no member requested that an item be pulled for separate consideration. Recorded votes reflected unanimous affirmative participation among the three supervisors shown in the transcript.
Personnel actions included pay adjustments effective August 9, 2026, across the Attorney's Office, Auditor's Office, Facilities Management, Secondary Roads, Sheriff's Office, and Treasurer's Office. The packet lists compensation figures ranging from hourly rates to biweekly salaries depending on the position.
FY26 Fund Balance Resolution and Other Consent Financial Matters
Resolution #27-07, the FY26 Fund Balance Resolution, was included in the approved consent agenda. The Board also approved the fiscal year 2027 allocations for the Story County Economic Development Group and the fiscal-year-end 2026 Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification Report. These matters were not individually discussed during the meeting, so the meeting record supports their approval through the consent motion but does not support attributing separate debate or reasoning to the Board.
Technology and Service Contract Renewals
The approved consent agenda included several contracts and technology expenses:
- GovInvest TrueComp module renewal between the Iowa League of Cities and Story County for $3,500, effective August 1, 2026 through July 1, 2027.
- Zoom licensing renewal with CDWG for $2,099.50, effective June 23, 2026 through June 22, 2027.
- Microsoft on-premises licensing renewal with Heartland Business Systems, LLC for $15,611.77, effective May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027.
- Revised annual fiber-locate contract with Communication Innovators for $14,105.
These expenditures support county compensation benchmarking, virtual meetings and public participation, Microsoft software, and identification of county fiber infrastructure before excavation or similar work.
Zoning Hearing Scheduled for August 11
Through Resolution #27-12 on the consent agenda, the Board set August 11, 2026, for a public hearing and first consideration of Ordinance No. 335. The proposal would amend the official zoning map under the Story County Land Development Regulations from A-1 Agricultural to A-2 Agribusiness.
Approval on August 4 scheduled the hearing; it did not constitute final approval of the requested rezoning. Residents interested in the land-use change therefore had another opportunity for public participation before further Board action.
Utility Permits and Deputy Recorder Appointment
Utility permits #27-9206 and #27-9212 were included in the approved consent agenda. Resolution #27-13, appointing a Deputy Recorder, was also included and approved as part of the same motion. The meeting discussion did not separately address these items.
Conservation Property Acquisition — Resolution #27-02
The Board held a public hearing on Resolution #27-02, authorizing an installment real-estate contract for a county property acquisition priced at $229,001. The agenda legally describes the property as the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 32, Township 83 North, Range 23 West of the 5th P.M., Story County.
During the presentation, conservation staff described the site as approximately 35 acres containing a remnant sedge meadow that is extremely rare in Iowa. Staff said the site ranked second in the county's sensitive-areas inventory and emphasized its plant diversity and ecological value. The landowner wanted the property protected and available for public use.
Staff described the purchase as being at fair market value and using an 11-year payment structure supported by a donation. A supervisor asked when the public could visit. Staff said ownership paperwork would need to be completed and a small parking area installed; later fall, potentially around September, was discussed as a hoped-for timeframe rather than a firm commitment.
No one spoke during the public hearing. The Board then approved Resolution #27-02 by affirmative recorded votes.
Revised Story County Financial Policies
Auditor Lucy Martin presented revisions to Story County's financial policies. The work grew partly from efforts to establish more detailed procedures for disposing of tangible county assets such as computers, vehicles, and furniture. Instead of maintaining a separate policy, the proposed revisions incorporate the procedures into the broader financial policies, including a new Appendix C.
Martin said the new language largely codifies practices already being followed. The revisions also clean up references affected by earlier purchasing and procurement policy changes and correctly reflect an increase in the physical-inventory threshold from $500 to $1,000. Board members specifically asked about that threshold and confirmed that the underlying change had previously occurred.
The Board approved the revised policies subject to the county's seven-day review process.
Juneteenth Traveling Public Art Installation
The Board considered a request to host the Ames and Story County Juneteenth Celebration's traveling public-art installation at the Administration Building, Human Services Center, and Justice Center. Organizers explained that the artwork began as a participatory component of the celebration and was initially expected to be displayed temporarily. Interest in the finished work led to the idea of circulating it throughout Story County.
The longer-term concept is to approach school districts, libraries, and city halls about hosting the artwork. Participants said they hoped the traveling installation would spark conversation and increase interest and participation in future Juneteenth celebrations. The Board approved hosting the installation in the county buildings identified in the request.
Closed Session for Litigation Strategy
The agenda provided for a closed session under Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c) to discuss litigation strategy with counsel in a matter involving current or imminent litigation where public disclosure could disadvantage the county.
The Board formally voted to enter the closed session. It later returned to open session and adjourned. No additional substantive action following the closed session is established in the transcript.
Votes, Decisions, and Direction
- Agenda adoption: Motion made and seconded; the three recorded votes were affirmative, and the agenda was adopted.
- Purple Heart Day proclamation: Motion made and seconded; the recorded votes were affirmative, and August 7, 2026 was proclaimed Purple Heart Day in Story County.
- July 28 meeting minutes: Approved as presented by affirmative recorded votes.
- Personnel actions: Approved as presented by affirmative recorded votes.
- Consent agenda: Approved as presented after no items were pulled. The recorded votes were affirmative.
- Resolution #27-07: FY26 Fund Balance Resolution approved through the consent agenda.
- GovInvest TrueComp renewal: $3,500 renewal approved through the consent agenda.
- FY2027 SCEDG allocations: Approved through the consent agenda.
- Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification Report: Approved through the consent agenda.
- Zoom licensing: $2,099.50 CDWG renewal approved through the consent agenda.
- Microsoft licensing: $15,611.77 Heartland Business Systems renewal approved through the consent agenda.
- Tax suspension recipients: Approved through the consent agenda.
- Resolution #27-12: Approved through the consent agenda, setting August 11, 2026 for a public hearing on the proposed A-1 to A-2 zoning-map amendment associated with Ordinance No. 335.
- Communication Innovators contract: Revised $14,105 annual fiber-locate contract approved through the consent agenda.
- Utility permits #27-9206 and #27-9212: Approved through the consent agenda.
- Resolution #27-13: Deputy Recorder appointment approved through the consent agenda.
- Resolution #27-02: $229,001 installment real-estate purchase authorized following a public hearing. The recorded votes were affirmative.
- Revised financial policies: Approved subject to seven-day review by affirmative recorded votes.
- Juneteenth public art: Hosting the traveling installation at the identified county buildings was approved by affirmative recorded votes.
- Hannum's Mill Dam Modification: Bids were opened, but no contractor award was verified at this meeting. Engineering staff were directed to tabulate and verify the submissions for later consideration.
- Closed session: The Board voted to enter closed session under Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c). No subsequent substantive action is established in the available transcript.
The transcript does not reliably identify the maker and seconder of every motion by name, so names are not assigned where the source does not clearly establish them.
Financial Matters
The most significant individual financial commitment discussed separately was the $229,001 conservation property acquisition under Resolution #27-02. Staff described the price as fair market value and said the purchase would use an 11-year payment structure supported by a donation. The acquisition is intended to preserve an ecologically valuable remnant sedge meadow and eventually make the property available for public use.
The consent agenda included a $3,500 GovInvest TrueComp module renewal between the Iowa League of Cities and Story County, effective August 1, 2026 through July 1, 2027. The software supports compensation and market-salary benchmarking.
The Board approved $2,099.50 in renewal fees with CDWG for Zoom licenses covering June 23, 2026 through June 22, 2027. The Board also approved $15,611.77 with Heartland Business Systems, LLC for Microsoft on-premises licensing covering May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027.
A revised contract with Communication Innovators for annual fiber locates was approved for $14,105. Fiber locating helps identify county communications infrastructure before excavation or other work that could damage buried lines.
Prairie Flower reported receiving $7,790 in fiscal year 2025-26 Story County ASSET funding for its sliding-fee program for lower-income families. Forty-one children were served with support from that funding.
Environmental Health reported using just under $50,000 from the private-well grant during fiscal year 2026.
The consent agenda also approved Resolution #27-07 concerning the FY26 fund balance, fiscal year 2027 allocations for the Story County Economic Development Group, the fiscal-year-end 2026 Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification Report, and tax-suspension recipients. The available meeting discussion does not provide enough verified detail to state additional dollar amounts for these items beyond what is explicitly supported in the packet.
Personnel actions approved by the Board included pay adjustments effective August 9, 2026. The packet lists the following compensation levels: Lynette Van Wyngarden, Attorney's Office, $4,646.12 biweekly; Michelle Bellile, Auditor's Office, $31.33 per hour; Shelley Grimard, Facilities Management, $28.38 per hour; Shawn Birdsall, Secondary Roads, $32.22 per hour; Lee Holland, Secondary Roads, $30.98 per hour; Paige Barnett, Sheriff's Office, $3,071.97 biweekly; Sean Mwangi, Sheriff's Office, $2,798.85 biweekly; Robyn Lewis, Treasurer's Office, $23.29 per hour; and Mikhail Storjohann, Treasurer's Office, $23.29 per hour.
The Hannum's Mill Dam Modification bids represent a potentially substantial future capital expense, but no contract was awarded at this meeting. Because some totals were being calculated and corrected during the bid opening, residents should rely on the subsequent engineering tabulation rather than treating every number stated during the opening as final. Excavating Solutions' written figures were announced as $695,044.26 plus a $26,700 alternate, or $721,744.26 total.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
Resolution #27-02 authorized the $229,001 installment real-estate purchase after a public hearing. It also authorized the necessary documentation to complete the transaction.
Resolution #27-07 addressed Story County's FY26 fund balance and was approved as part of the consent agenda.
Resolution #27-12 scheduled an August 11, 2026 public hearing for first consideration of Ordinance No. 335, involving a requested official zoning-map amendment from A-1 Agricultural to A-2 Agribusiness. The August 4 action scheduled the next stage of consideration; it did not itself constitute final approval of the rezoning.
Resolution #27-13 concerned appointment of a Deputy Recorder and was approved through the consent agenda.
The Board approved revisions to Story County's financial policies subject to seven-day review. The changes provide more detailed rules for disposal of tangible assets, create a new Appendix C, and reconcile the policy with previous purchasing and procurement changes. The revised document also reflects the previously increased physical-inventory threshold of $1,000 rather than $500.
The Board entered closed session under Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c) for litigation strategy. The agenda explains that this provision was invoked because public disclosure of the discussion could prejudice or disadvantage the governmental body's position in pending or imminent litigation.
Reports, Presentations, and Updates
Environmental Health reported 117 nitrate samples in FY2026, none above the stated maximum contaminant level of 10. The department issued 11 well permits: seven water-supply, three geothermal, and one dewatering permit. It used just under $50,000 from the private-well grant.
Radon data covering January 1 through July 16 showed 349 tests in ZIP codes that include Story County and 165 kits distributed through the relevant program. Staff stressed that the figures should not be directly compared because some ZIP codes cross county lines and not all distributed kits had been returned for testing. A subcontractor had been helping conduct water sampling since mid-June.
Prairie Flower reported serving 103 children from 94 families, including nine toddlers, 41 preschoolers, and 53 school-aged children. Forty-one children received services supported by the program's $7,790 Story County ASSET allocation.
During supervisor announcements, members referenced work involving a NACO cybersecurity tabletop exercise, countywide recycling, broadband, an anticipated request for proposals for an update of the Iowa Creek watershed assessment, conservation activities, and possible conservation director finalist interviews. These were updates rather than formal actions by the Board during this meeting.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
The Board approved personnel actions as presented, including pay adjustments effective August 9, 2026 in the Attorney's Office, Auditor's Office, Facilities Management, Secondary Roads, Sheriff's Office, and Treasurer's Office.
The consent agenda also included Resolution #27-13 appointing a Deputy Recorder. Because this item was approved without separate discussion, the meeting transcript does not add substantive explanation beyond the appointment action itself.
A supervisor also reported that interviews for conservation director finalists might occur the following Monday. This was presented as an anticipated next step rather than a hiring decision made at the August 4 meeting.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
The Hannum's Mill Dam Modification project moved into the bid-evaluation stage. Three contractors were identified during the opening, but several totals required calculation or confirmation. County engineers were to prepare a verified tabulation for subsequent consideration. No construction award occurred during this meeting.
The conservation property acquisition will add approximately 35 acres of ecologically significant land to county stewardship if closing and related paperwork are completed. Staff described the property as a rare remnant sedge meadow and said a small parking area would be needed to support public access.
The Board approved annual fiber-locate services with Communication Innovators for $14,105 and approved utility permits #27-9206 and #27-9212 through the consent agenda.
The Juneteenth public-art project will involve county facilities, specifically the Administration Building, Human Services Center, and Justice Center. Organizers intend to explore additional displays at school districts, libraries, and city halls throughout Story County.
Supervisors also referenced continuing countywide broadband work and an upcoming request-for-proposals process for an update of the Iowa Creek watershed assessment. These projects were mentioned during announcements and were not separately approved at this meeting.
The meeting provided two public-comment opportunities. The first was for subjects appearing on the day's agenda. The Board opened the period and invited participation both in person and through the online meeting, but no one came forward or raised a hand, and the comment period was closed.
The Board also opened a public hearing before considering Resolution #27-02 and the $229,001 conservation property purchase. Members of the public were invited to comment in person or online. No comments were received, and the hearing was closed before the Board voted.
The second general public-comment period concerned subjects not on the agenda. The chair explained that the Board could not take immediate action on such comments because of open-meetings requirements. No one offered a comment in person or online.
The absence of public comments at this meeting does not eliminate future opportunities for input. In particular, the Board scheduled an August 11 public hearing concerning the proposed zoning-map amendment associated with Ordinance No. 335.
Questions and Answers
A Board member asked when the newly acquired conservation property could open to the public. Staff said public access could begin after the county completed the ownership paperwork and established a small parking area. Later fall was discussed, with September mentioned as a possible goal, but no guaranteed opening date was established.
Board members asked about the $1,000 physical-inventory threshold in the revised financial policies because they remembered that the threshold had already been changed. Auditor Lucy Martin confirmed that it had been changed previously and explained that the current revision corrected the interconnected financial-policy language so it consistently reflected that earlier decision.
During the Environmental Health report, Board members expressed appreciation for the additional radon-testing information. Staff explained that the testing figures were assembled by ZIP code and therefore included geographic limitations where ZIP codes extend beyond Story County.
During the Prairie Flower report, Board members did not raise substantive operational questions but expressed support for the program's nature-based approach and services for children. The presenter explained that the number of children benefiting from ASSET support was affected by the sliding-fee scale not beginning until August.
The Hannum's Mill bid opening generated questions about bid arithmetic and totals. County officials repeatedly said the Engineering Department would verify the calculations before the bids were used for a subsequent decision.
Residents and taxpayers are affected by several approved financial commitments, including county software licensing, compensation-benchmarking services, fiber-locate services, economic-development allocations, and the $229,001 conservation property acquisition. The property purchase uses an installment structure that staff said is supported by a donation, while other expenditures come through normal county contracting and budgeting processes.
Residents interested in conservation and outdoor recreation could eventually gain access to approximately 35 acres of rare remnant sedge meadow. The immediate effect is preservation and county acquisition; public access depends on completion of the transaction and basic site preparations such as parking.
Private-well owners and households concerned about environmental health benefit from county well testing, permitting, private-well grant assistance, and radon information. The report showed substantial sampling activity and no nitrate samples above the stated maximum contaminant level among the 117 samples reported for FY2026.
Families using child-care or youth programs, particularly lower-income households, are affected by Story County ASSET support for Prairie Flower's sliding-fee scale. Forty-one children received services supported by the county-related funding during the reported period.
County employees and departments are affected by approved personnel pay adjustments and by the revised financial policies governing tangible assets, inventory, purchasing-related references, and disposal procedures.
Property owners and businesses concerned with land use should watch the August 11 hearing on the requested A-1 Agricultural to A-2 Agribusiness zoning-map amendment. The August 4 action only scheduled the hearing and next stage of consideration; the final land-use outcome was not established at this meeting.
Residents who attend meetings remotely are affected by the Zoom licensing renewal, which helps maintain virtual meeting and public-participation capability.
Community organizations and cultural-program participants may see the Juneteenth artwork displayed at multiple public facilities. The confirmed approval concerns county buildings, while expansion to schools, libraries, and city halls remains a future outreach effort.
Residents affected by the Hannum's Mill Dam project should expect another decision after engineers verify the bids. The meeting did not establish the winning contractor or final construction price.
- What are the final verified base bids and alternates for the Hannum's Mill Dam Modification project after Engineering completes its tabulation?
- Which contractor will staff recommend for the dam project, and what criteria besides price will be considered before an award?
- What is the expected closing date for the $229,001 conservation property acquisition, and when will the county establish a firm public-opening date?
- What improvements beyond a small parking area will be needed before the new conservation property can accommodate public use?
- How is the donation supporting the property's 11-year installment purchase structured, and what county costs will remain outside that funding?
- What specific property is involved in the proposed A-1 Agricultural to A-2 Agribusiness zoning amendment scheduled for the August 11 hearing, and what uses could become possible if the amendment is ultimately approved?
- How will the revised tangible-asset disposal procedures improve accountability for county computers, vehicles, furniture, and other public property?
- What measurable benefits does Story County receive from the $3,500 TrueComp subscription and the FY2027 economic-development allocations?
- How will Environmental Health use the radon and well-testing data to identify areas where additional outreach or testing may be useful?
- Will Prairie Flower's full-year sliding-fee program allow more children from lower-income families to receive ASSET-supported services in the next reporting period?
- Which schools, libraries, municipalities, or other public facilities will be invited to host the Juneteenth traveling art installation?
- What recommendation, if any, will the Board of Health send to the Board of Supervisors following its August 4 meeting?
Important Dates and Next Steps
- August 7, 2026: Purple Heart Day in Story County under the proclamation adopted at this meeting.
- August 9, 2026: Effective date for the personnel pay adjustments listed in the meeting packet.
- August 11, 2026: Public hearing scheduled for first consideration of Ordinance No. 335 and the requested zoning-map amendment from A-1 Agricultural to A-2 Agribusiness.
- Following the August 4 meeting: Engineering staff are expected to verify and tabulate the Hannum's Mill Dam Modification bids before a subsequent contractor decision. Staff indicated that additional information should be available the following week.
- Seven-day review period: The revised Story County financial policies were approved subject to the county's seven-day review process.
- Later fall, potentially around September: Staff discussed this as a possible timeframe for opening the conservation property after closing paperwork and parking preparation, but no firm opening date was approved.
- Future outreach: Organizers of the Juneteenth traveling art installation plan to approach school districts, libraries, and city halls about additional display locations.
- Upcoming county work: Supervisors referenced countywide recycling, continued broadband work, an Iowa Creek watershed assessment update, and possible conservation director finalist interviews. These were announcements rather than formal August 4 decisions.
Key Takeaways
- The Story County Board of Supervisors met August 4, 2026, in Nevada for a regular meeting.
- The agenda was adopted by affirmative recorded votes.
- No member of the public spoke during either general public-comment period.
- Contractors submitted bids for the Hannum's Mill Dam Modification project, but no contract was awarded.
- Excavating Solutions' written figures were announced as $695,044.26 plus a $26,700 alternate, totaling $721,744.26.
- Engineering staff were assigned to verify all dam-project bid calculations before further Board consideration.
- The Board proclaimed August 7, 2026 as Purple Heart Day in Story County.
- Environmental Health reported 117 FY2026 nitrate samples, with none above the stated maximum contaminant level of 10.
- Environmental Health reported 11 well permits: seven water-supply, three geothermal, and one dewatering.
- The private-well grant provided just under $50,000 in FY2026 support.
- Radon data included 349 tests in ZIP codes touching Story County, with important geographic and program-data limitations.
- Prairie Flower received $7,790 in FY2025-26 Story County ASSET funding for a sliding-fee scale.
- Prairie Flower reported serving 103 children from 94 families, with 41 children supported by ASSET funding.
- The Board approved the July 28 minutes and personnel actions.
- The Board approved a broad consent agenda that included financial, technology, economic-development, zoning, utility, and appointment matters.
- Approved technology and service expenses included $3,500 for TrueComp, $2,099.50 for Zoom licenses, $15,611.77 for Microsoft licensing, and $14,105 for annual fiber locates.
- The Board scheduled an August 11, 2026 public hearing on a proposed zoning-map change from A-1 Agricultural to A-2 Agribusiness.
- The Board approved Resolution #27-02, authorizing a $229,001 conservation property purchase.
- Conservation staff described the approximately 35-acre property as containing a rare and ecologically valuable remnant sedge meadow.
- Staff said the conservation purchase uses an 11-year payment structure supported by a donation.
- Public access to the conservation property is expected only after closing paperwork and basic improvements such as parking are completed.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Story County Board of Supervisors
- Organization type: county
- Government body: county-boards
- Location: Nevada, iowa
- County: Story County
- Provider: agendacenter
Keywords
Story County Board of Supervisors, Story County, Nevada Iowa, county government, regular meeting, Hannum's Mill Dam Modification, Purple Heart Day, Environmental Health, nitrate testing, radon testing, private well grant, Prairie Flower, Story County ASSET, sliding fee scale, FY26 fund balance, SCEDG, TrueComp, Zoom licensing, Microsoft licensing, fiber locates, Communication Innovators, zoning map amendment, Ordinance No. 335, A-1 Agricultural, A-2 Agribusiness, conservation property, Resolution 27-02, financial policies, Juneteenth public art, Iowa Code 21.5
