County teams present multi-year plans on mental health, safety, workforce training and economic development

On July 7 county staff and team leads presented the final recommendations of four Action Planning Teams to the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors.

Human Resources Director Amanda Fesenmeyer, Park Ranger Trevor Davis and HR Generalist Anna Knapp presented a Professional Development and Training plan that emphasizes one-on-one supervisor–employee meetings, a process to build trust and accountability, and proposed funding for supervisor training. County Engineer Catherine Nicholas described the Support Economic Development team’s work: the committee has met repeatedly, surveyed communities, and engaged Grow Cedar Valley and other stakeholders; it expects recommendations after one or two more meetings.

Safety Coordinator Brad Metcalf presented recommendations to improve safety and security at county facilities, including employee training and preparedness, an annual countywide safety and training day that could close the courthouse and other buildings for the event, and possible building security enhancements such as video analytics and a mass notification system.

Health Director Kaitlin Emrich laid out a three-year Support Mental Health plan with five strategies: integrate mental health into countywide care coordination and navigation; the county acting as convener for prevention, training and resilience; improving the justice-system and crisis interface; workforce mental-health and well-being supports for county staff; and policy steps to expand universal access to self-help resources. Emrich said implementation would unfold over three years.

Chair Linda Laylin noted the board will consider a year-end carryover policy at its July 28 meeting and mentioned Assistant County Attorney Michael Treinen is drafting a dangerous-dog ordinance based on prior concerns.