Des Moines County supervisors approve grants, contracts and routine personnel moves
May 26, 2026 | Des Moines County, Iowa
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Des Moines County supervisors approved a slate of routine claims, grants, contracts and personnel actions during their May 26 meeting.
The board approved payroll reimbursement claims totaling $1,197.85 and moved an accounts-payable claim of $59,876.34 tied to Emergency Management. Shannon Prado, Emergency Management, told the board the underlying grant has a tight timeline and must be closed by the end of June. "We received a grant from IDA … it actually needs to be closed out by the end of June," Prado said, asking for an expedited check so contractors can start work.
The board accepted a $90,000 grant that Prado said will buy a movable, solar-powered generator on a trailer and pay Regional Planning for grant administration and training for first responders. Supervisors voted to amend the out-of-county jail budget and heard other routine budget notes tied to grant administration.
Other approvals included an amended list of county depositories, a fireworks permit for the Sperry July show, and a Cost Advisory Services contract authorizing consultants to develop federally compliant cost-allocation plans. The board also issued an RFP for a venue to host "Des Moines County Veterans Affairs Coffee and Conversation," with proposals due by 4:30 p.m. June 11.
In personnel actions, the board approved hiring Benjamin Toll as an assistant county attorney at an annual salary of $75,718, effective June 1, 2026, and elevated Mandy Spencer, administrative assistant in the county attorney’s office, from $51,875 to $53,947 after her probationary period. The board also approved minutes from its May 19 regular meeting.
Votes were recorded on the meeting record for each motion; the motions carried on recorded voice votes during the meeting. The RFP and contract actions move to the administrative implementation steps outlined in agenda materials; proposals for the veterans event are due June 11 and the Cost Advisory Services contract took immediate effect.
The board approved payroll reimbursement claims totaling $1,197.85 and moved an accounts-payable claim of $59,876.34 tied to Emergency Management. Shannon Prado, Emergency Management, told the board the underlying grant has a tight timeline and must be closed by the end of June. "We received a grant from IDA … it actually needs to be closed out by the end of June," Prado said, asking for an expedited check so contractors can start work.
The board accepted a $90,000 grant that Prado said will buy a movable, solar-powered generator on a trailer and pay Regional Planning for grant administration and training for first responders. Supervisors voted to amend the out-of-county jail budget and heard other routine budget notes tied to grant administration.
Other approvals included an amended list of county depositories, a fireworks permit for the Sperry July show, and a Cost Advisory Services contract authorizing consultants to develop federally compliant cost-allocation plans. The board also issued an RFP for a venue to host "Des Moines County Veterans Affairs Coffee and Conversation," with proposals due by 4:30 p.m. June 11.
In personnel actions, the board approved hiring Benjamin Toll as an assistant county attorney at an annual salary of $75,718, effective June 1, 2026, and elevated Mandy Spencer, administrative assistant in the county attorney’s office, from $51,875 to $53,947 after her probationary period. The board also approved minutes from its May 19 regular meeting.
Votes were recorded on the meeting record for each motion; the motions carried on recorded voice votes during the meeting. The RFP and contract actions move to the administrative implementation steps outlined in agenda materials; proposals for the veterans event are due June 11 and the Cost Advisory Services contract took immediate effect.
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