Public Information Meetings Scheduled to Discuss Bond Referendum
The Dallas County Board of Supervisors have announced a handful of public meetings designed to help explain the bond referendum that faces residents during next month’s election.
County officials will discuss the proposed county administration and law enforcement facilities in Woodward at the Woodward Granger High School on Tuesday, at the Perry High School Brady Library on Tuesday October 14th, at the Redfield City Hall Wednesday, October 25th, in Waukee at the school district administrative office on Tuesday the 21stand at the ADM high school on Tuesday, October 28th.
Each meeting starts at 7pm and is open to the public. Residents are encouraged to come listen and learn more about the proposed facilities.
The 51,050 square foot administrative building is proposed on the west side of the Raccoon River along Highway 6. The proposed 62,000 foot sheriff’s office and law enforcement center will be located near Ortonville, though still within the city limits of Adel.
Both separate bond issues will be on the November 4th general election ballot.
Dallas County Voters Have Yet to Ever Approve a New Jail
Space issues at the Dallas County law enforcement facility are not new, in fact the jail itself has been over crowded for more than a dozen years now.
Next month voters will again have a chance to decide whether or not they are willing to approve a new 90 bed, 62,000 foot facility. Last year, voters in Dallas County turned down a proposed bond referendum to build a conjoined law enforcement and administrative building. In fact, as Chief Deputy and Jail Administrator Doug Lande explains residents in Dallas County have never approved a new jail.
“We did a little history on this and in our lobby we’ve got a photo of the Dallas County jail, in 1861 it was turned down by the public and 10 years later in 1871 the Board of Supervisors appropriated $5,000 to build a jail, and then that was in the 1800s. The current facility that we’re in right now, was voted down in 1988 so that led the Board of Supervisors to, since the need was there, so even though it was voted down they constructed it anyways because of the need” says Lande.
The proposed new law enforcement center has an estimated total cost of $16.3 million, or $0.25 per $1,000 of valuation.
Perry Surpasses Monthly Rainfall Total in Just Two Days
We’re just a couple days into the month of October and so far things are off to a very wet start.
According to the National Weather Service, Perry has already exceeded the normal monthly rainfall total for October by one-tenth after receiving almost 2.6 inches of rain in the first two days alone.
Guthrie Center also saw a lot of rain this week with 2.32 inches received, or just over three-tenths of an inch less than the normal total for the month.
Things were a little dryer in Jefferson this week but they still registered almost 1.7 inches of rain, with a normal monthly total of 2.4 inches.
The weather should be dry for the next few days with no rain in the immediate forecast.
Trail Blaze Program Sunday with the Dallas County Conservation Board
An event this weekend at the Bear Creek Nature Center is your last chance to get a taste of what next year’s Adult Wilderness Trek will be like.
The Dallas County Conservation Department will lead accepted adults on a wilderness trail program next summer and Sunday’s Trail Blaze program is the third and final event in 2014 that will help potential participants decide if this is the right program for them.
That’s museum curator Pete Malmberg with the conservation department.
The program takes place from 6-8pm Sunday. To reserve your spot call 465-3577.
Perry Public Library Hosts Family Leaf Party Monday
Perry area families are invited to welcome fall with a free event at the Perry Public Library Monday.
The Family Leaf Party takes place in the large meeting room from 6:30-7:30pm. It’s geared toward children in kindergarten through second grade, but all families are welcome to attend.
Participants will be able to play games, make crafts and participate in other leaf themed activities while enjoying a snack.
Pre-registration is not necessary, but for more information you can call children’s librarian Suzanne Kestel at 465-3569.