Supervisors approve re-precincting ordinance

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Monday, October 17, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met with TASC Executive Director Mary Ament and Rachelle Howe of Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission to discuss an application for a Community Development Block Grant to help fund the construction of a handicap-accessible fitness center at TASC in Waukon. Ament said that the expansion would not replace the Waukon Wellness Center, but would make fitness equipment and programs more accessible to TASC residents with disabilities that make travel to the Wellness Center impractical. The Board agreed that the County would act as the applicant for the grant. As part of the application process, Howe presented the Board with a Community Needs Assessment for review.
The Board also conducted a public hearing regarding reprecincting of voting districts based on the 2010 census. Hearing no public comments, the Board voted unanimously to approve the first reading of an ordinance setting the voting precincts, waived the second and third readings and passed the ordinance. County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Pam Benjegerdes said that once the ordinance is approved by the State of Iowa, new voter registration cards will be sent to all registered voters in the county. She added that polling places would remain the same for most voters, though a few voters near the Waukon city limits would see a change in their polling sites.
In other business, the Board accepted and placed on file quarterly reports from the Auditor and Treasurer. The Board approved transfers to the Secondary Roads Fund from the General Basic Fund ($43,815.51) and from the Rural Services Fund ($622,649.79). The Board also met in closed session with County Attorney Jill Kistler and Mary Jane White to discuss pending litigation.