State Auditor Rob Sand makes stop in Waukon as part of his 99 County Tour

by Joe Moses

State of Iowa Auditor Rob Sand continued his annual 99 County Tour with a Town Hall meeting in Waukon Thursday morning, September 19 at the Sweeney Shelter near the Allamakee County Freedom Rock in Waukon City Park.

Sand began the town hall meeting by providing an update relating to the State Auditor Office’s Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) Program. He noted that this program recognizes the efforts of local governments, including counties and cities in addition to school districts, in saving tax dollars and promoting efficiency. Sand explained that a checklist of items compiled through this program is sent out each year to schools and local governments to provide suggestions with ongoing feedback allowing entities to share and add to these efficiencies.

As discussed by Sand, those entities recognized in each category receive a pie and a certificate recognizing their efficiency achievement. Relating to Allamakee County, Sand noted recent PIE Program winners including the City of Postville, City of New Albin, Allamakee Community School District and the Eastern Allamakee Community School District, in addition to thanking all the participants within the county.

Sand discussed the role of the State Auditor’s Office as a watchdog in preventing government waste with hundreds of reports issued and financial audits conducted each year. He elaborated on this purpose noting that local and state governments need to know someone is watching and everyone needs to follow the rules.

Sand made note of a report in conjunction with a nationwide non-profit in evaluating opportunities for public service and four-year college degree requirements for State employees. He noted past progress by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds relating to the removal of four-year degree requirements for some State employee positions with Sand’s own office adjusting requirements in 2022 to accept two-year accounting degrees for some positions to assist in recruiting qualified individuals and to address a shortage of accounting applicants.

Sand discussed that there are many qualified employment candidates that can be described with the acronym S.T.A.R: skilled through alternative routes, that have the technical skills to perform necessary job tasks but did not pursue a traditional four-year college degree with many having earned a two-year degree. Sand noted that many have gained skills through on-the-job experience and that military experience has created job candidates that are team players with a great work ethic beyond technical skills learned in the service to their country.

Sand also discussed a report from his office recommending the protection of an economic development investment made by former Governor Terry Branstad’s administration in 2014 relating to a fertilizer plant in southeast Iowa. Sand noted that Branstad’s economic development package, an investment as taxpayers, was made to lower fertilizer input costs and aid farmers. With more competition in the fertilizer industry, as Sand noted, costs will be kept down. Sand further noted without competition, fertilizer prices have been tracked to increase or decrease with corn prices, negatively affecting the bottom line for farmers and maximizing corporate profits.

Sand shared that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice have both been notified by his office relating to the proposed corporate purchase of this taxpayer funded fertilizer plant. He noted that both of those agencies have been notified about this purchase and the taxpayer investment and potential violation of anti-trust laws. Sand said that these steps and notifications were appropriate but may not prevent this corporate purchase or merger, which will ultimately negatively impact farmers.

Sand discussed a recent report illustrating the relationship between property tax districts and income levels statewide. He noted that rural and working-class areas are paying higher levy rates for property taxes which indicates an inverse expectation for struggling areas. Sand and the residents present at Thursday’s meeting noted challenges faced by rural communities with lower populations facing the same State mandates and service expectations as urban areas with a larger tax base.

Former Waukon City Council member John Ellingson, now of rural Waukon, discussed house and property valuations that are currently 100 to 110-percent market value with that figure in the past being closer to 75 to 80-percent of market value. Sand and Ellingson also noted the elimination of the backfill, a State appropriation intended to offset other property tax system reductions.

Karen Pratte of Waterville questioned Sand about Iowa’s school voucher program and the company known as Odyssey which is involved in the administration of that program. Sand noted that two months following the signing of a contract by Odyssey, the company amended the agreement doubling the company’s payment as service provider. Sand noted concerns relating to this increase without any justification or documentation explaining the reason for this cost increase. He also discussed other concerns relating to the school voucher system with private schools being exempt from open meeting requirements.

Ellingson shared that he is supportive of private schools and not completely against the voucher system. He further commented that from a budget standpoint, private schools could be negatively impacted should the voucher system end under a different administration in the future, with some of this funding likely providing for new or existing infrastructure requiring long-term financing.

Sand discussed the importance of transparency in addition to concerns relating to the signing of Senate File 478 (SF478) into law by Governor Kim Reynolds. He noted that this new law has created eight categories of information which the State Auditor can no longer view as part of an audit or investigation with there being no good reason for this restriction.

Ann Klees of Waterville discussed financial and funding matters at the city level. She confirmed with Sand that city clerks or other city officials are welcome to seek advice from the State Auditor’s Office relating to the use of funds.

In conclusion, Sand discussed a recent report comparing Iowa’s nursing home data to neighboring states. Sand noted that Iowa has been slowest of the states reviewed in conducting nursing home inspections. He further noted that Iowa ranks 46th nationally in the number of licensed nursing staff per resident.

Ellingson noted that in his professional career in social services, he is authorized to investigate cases of child abuse, death or neglect but due to his lack of a nursing background, he cannot be certified to perform nursing home investigations. Ellingson further noted that the State has continued to post nursing home investigator employment opportunities, which are slow to be filled.

Ellingson also noted comparable investigations relating to child welfare, neglect or death that would qualify those working in social services to perform nursing home investigations without a nursing background if State restrictions were changed.