County hires new VA director

Union County Board of Supervisors Monday approved the recommendation to hire Gary Gelhaye as the next Veterans Affair Director. He will replace Kevin Provost as he is retiring.

Gelhaye is a retired, 20-year decorated member of the Marines and has been in customer service at the Creston News Advertiser since May 2021. Provost has had the position for seven years, after he retired from the Iowa State Patrol. Part of his time working in Union County included assisting the Adams County VA office until it found a director.

Gelhaye is expected to begin in early April. Provost said he would train Gelhaye for about a month. Gelhaye was not at Monday’s meeting.

Veterans Affairs assists veterans with a variety of services including medical care, compensation, pension, the Iowa Veterans Home, records, grave markers and other benefits.

When Provost to the county earlier this year of his plan to retire, he said military experience does help being a VA Director. He knows of other Iowa counties with administrators who do not have military experience.

Gelhaye is expected to attend various training courses and beign certification work.

In other supervisor news...

June West’s term on the SIRHA Board of Commissioners is near the end. Supervisors agreed to reappoint contingent upon her interest.

Supervisors tabled action on a recycling contract with Waste Management.

Keith Duncan and Jeff Clayton, representing Holmes Murphy, spoke with the supervisors about the county’s health insurance plan. No action was taken.

Duncan, who spoke with supervisors in early February, informed the county then of the Iowa Governmental Health Care Plan. The plan includes 47 entities, mainly municipalities like cities and counties, with more than 11,000 members. Union County has 65 health insurance policies for employees that range from single to family coverage.

He added the benefits of the plan are how its can provide partial self-funding to meet entity needs has lower administration fees and better management of renewal costs because of the volume of members. Duncan said because of the volume of policies, 3% increases are common. Dental, life and disability policies are available. The plan is affiliated with Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Ringgold, Guthrie, and Montgomery counties are the closest members to Union County. There are 16 counties participating. Central Decatur and Van Meter school districts also participate.

Secondary Roads Superintendent Al Hysell told the supervisors there are three wood-made culverts still in use. He is planning on further assessing the condition of each one. He estimated the culverts date back to the late 1940s. He added they are still in good condition considering their age. He said one has had minimal exposure to UV rays which has limited its wear-and-tear for the planks made of oak.