TIF funds certified for next year

An annual routine, Union County during a quiet meeting approved their Tax Increment Financing certification for the next fiscal year, allowing for the county to receive the benefits of their investments into urban renewal areas.

Primarily, TIF revenues for the county are generated through wind turbine revenues from Union County’s urban renewal area in the northwest portion of the county. In recent years, several bond projects have been made for capital projects in this area.

Road and bridge improvements through the county’s secondary roads department have used funds from TIF revenue bonds. The certification adds two payments to the county budget.

The certification is essential for kicking off budgeting for the next fiscal year. Funds which were borrowed from the general fund will be paid off through the certification process.

In other Union County news...

Union County tabled a letter of support committing to sending funds from the county’s opioid settlement fund to Crossroads Behavioral Health. This comes after a report from the Iowa Auditor’s Office alleging improper use of funds.

The letter of support would have allowed for Crossroads to apply for a matching fund program from the state. However, the board of supervisors wanted to do research into the auditor’s report before agreeing to the letter.

Delivered by Supervisor Dennis Hopkins during the meeting, Crossroads’ official statement about the matter was cooperative.

“Crossroads has received the state’s audit report and is carefully reviewing its findings,” the statement read. “We are committed to full cooperation with all agencies as they conduct their reviews.

“Our focus is to understand the concerns raised and take the appropriate steps to address them. Throughout this process, Crossroads remains dedicated to serving our clients with the same level of care and professionalism that our community expects from us.”

On the recommendation of the Veterans Affairs Board of Commissioners and presented by Director Gary Gelhaye, Tara Hower was approved to be appointed to the board.

Hower served in the Army and works at Greater Regional. Gelhaye noted Hower’s younger age (in comparison to other members of the board) could help assist the department in reaching more clients who are also younger.

During Roads Superintendent Al Hysell’s weekly report to the board, Hopkins showed interest in tuning the process of bid selection to prefer local area businesses. Hysell agreed with the idea and mentioned recent instances where local businesses were contacted.