Board of Supervisors hears from multiple sources about the need to support the childcare wage enhancement program
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 16 to address a short agenda of matters including an update from the City of Postville, a Quarterly Report from the County Relief Office and discussion and consideration of updated language relating to ground/soil maintenance for the County Farm contract. This week’s Board of Supervisors meeting took place at the Postville Public Library as part of the Supervisors’ annual schedule of public library visits within the county.
The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisor Dennis Keatley present. Supervisor Mark Reiser joined the meeting a short time later during the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
During Public Comment, Byrnes provided a recap of the Driftless Half Marathon held Saturday, October 14 noting that there were 108 participants in the Half Marathon, 12 teams in the Half Marathon Relay and 70 participants in the 5K portion of the event. He further noted the work performed by the Driftless Half Marathon Committee in organizing the event and the assistance of Harpers Ferry Fire and Rescue, Lansing Fire and Rescue, Lansing Police Department, Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department and Allamakee County Emergency Management. Byrnes complimented the organizers, law enforcement and emergency personnel involved in making the event a success.
Crystal Duffy, Postville Library Director/Community Developer with the City of Postville, addressed the Supervisors relating to a proposal discussed at Supervisors meetings in September. At the September 11 Supervisors meeting, Regional Planner Michelle Barness of Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) and Director Kristy Turner of the Postville Childcare Center discussed a recommendation to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in support of a childcare wage enhancement program to retain skilled childcare workers by establishing a livable county wage for this industry. At that September 11 meeting, Barness outlined the funding necessary to make this program possible including funding from private sources for a 1:1 match from Health and Human Services (HHS) in addition to a contribution from Allamakee County to make the program viable; increasing 40 full-time childcare providers from $12-13 per hour to $16.28 per hour.
At the September 25 Supervisors meeting, Turner noted that just over $45,000 has been raised towards the $500,000 county-wide goal with $250,000 from private donors needing to be raised in total for the $250,000 HHS match under this program. At the September 25 meeting, Turner further noted that the Postville Childcare Center has a $330,000 deficit to reach the livable hourly wage for the 24 full-time childcare teachers and licensed hours of operation from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Turner also noted at that September 25 meeting that the Postville Childcare Center and other providers may not be sustainable without this program and discussed the negative impact that this loss would have from a community and economic standpoint.
At the October 16 meeting, Duffy requested that the Supervisors consider supporting the childcare wage enhancement program. She noted that from a personal standpoint, childcare availability is very important to her family and has allowed her to continue in roles with the Postville Public Library and the Community Heart and Soul Program. She further noted that 40 percent of Postville’s population is under 19 years of age with the county average being 25 percent under that age. Duffy discussed the childcare needs of young families in Postville with this group also helping create the future workforce of the county.
Duffy advised that in previous discussions of the childcare wage enhancement program, it was noted that a permanent funding source through the state or federal government would be needed to address the issue, with Duffy further advising, “By you (Allamakee County) passing the buck, you aren’t taking care of it either.” Duffy noted the need for child daycare which she advised is utilized by many teachers working for the Postville Community School District with the loss and relocation of those teachers due to a lack of childcare options negatively impacting the disadvantaged populations living in this community.
Mary Engstrom, Postville City Council member, further discussed the need for childcare availability in Postville and advised that with new students and increasing school enrollment, childcare is necessary as new teachers are hired.
Kari Seabrooke, a Postville resident and parent, discussed the importance of childcare options from her perspective as a full-time registered nurse pursuing a doctorate degree, and that she is thankful for the quality individuals working as childcare professionals in this community, noting their dedication despite the pay level.
Director Kristy Turner of the Postville Childcare Center read aloud two letters from parents not available to attend the Supervisors meeting in person including Meghan and Devin Brincks of Ossian and Marissa Davis of Elgin. Both letters discussed the importance of continued childcare availability through Postville Childcare Center with requests for the Supervisors to consider supporting the childcare wage enhancement program through a $32,000 donation, an amount of unused tax dollars by Iowa State University (ISU) Extension returned to the County earlier in the year and not yet designated for another purpose.
Turner noted that Postville has been the most vocal about childcare availability but that this is not just a local issue, but a county-wide issue. She further noted that Hamilton County has raised $710,000 for its childcare wage enhancement program and as a result, their center capacity increased 150-percent, staff salary has increased by 36-percent and over 100 additional children have been enrolled since the wage enhancement program has begun. Turner noted that she has been contacted by two anonymous donors who will each pledge $16,000 towards the wage enhancement program if the Board of Supervisors provides the requested $32,000 contribution towards this program.
The meeting moved into the Postville Public Library Update with Duffy providing an overview of programming including weekly story time and the Summer Reading Program. Duffy discussed efforts to make the library more accommodating to families with young children with some rearranging, reorganization and the addition of a new wooden computer desk with an adjoining playpen/corral area allowing a parent to use a computer while watching a small child or baby. Duffy noted that instructions in the library are in Somali, Hebrew and English allowing for expanded accessibility with an expanded Spanish book section also in place.
Duffy noted that programming is expanding and that English as a second language (ESL) services will be offered through Transparent Language software both as a phone app and via computer. She discussed the availability of computers with wireless internet use having doubled. Duffy also discussed the availability of e-books and physical materials through the State of Iowa library system.
For the City of Postville Update, Mayor Dennis Koenig discussed a variety of matters. Koenig noted that the closure of the Good Samaritan Society’s nursing home facility in Postville was a severe blow to the community. He discussed Ziegler CAT’s expansion north of Postville and voluntary annexation to be part of the city as a positive. Koenig further discussed that progress on that project will begin this fall. Next spring, Koenig advised, Highways 18/52 and 51 will be resurfaced through the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) and that a waterline replacement project is planned to repair some issues with Military Road and Tilden Street as locations for this project.
Koenig noted sidewalk replacement planned for areas including downtown. As part of the City of Postville Update, Duffy provided an overview of work performed relating to the Community Heart and Soul Program including statements directly established from survey data from various Postville populations relating to community events, diversity, safety, local business, education, being a welcoming community, and volunteerism and leadership with these statements being part of an action plan and larger community process.
Koenig noted that similar to closure of the Good Samaritan Society nursing home facility, the closure of the Postville Childcare Center would be another severe blow to this community. He continued his update with comments relating to the proposed childcare wage enhancement program, advising, “If you look at how hard people work in making this a community, we need this (funding) badly. I understand you have $32,000 and I’m going to put you on the spot. You do work for Allamakee County and the voters. It’s not just for Postville. This needs to be done. I know you have been approached by concerned people. Weigh this (decision) out, it couldn’t be spent better.”
The meeting moved into the Quarterly Report from the County Relief Office. Following review, the report was accepted and placed on file. Secondary Road Transfers were reviewed and approved including $77,454.33 from General Basic and $830,246.52 from Rural Basic.
The meeting moved into the discussion and consideration of language relating to ground/soil maintenance for the County Farm contract. Reiser discussed several matters relating to soil sample results from the County Farm including phosphorous levels, among other soil health indicators. He noted that lime application is being recommended. Following discussion of adding language relating to fertilizer amounts with custom application, requiring documentation, Reiser and Keatley voted in favor of including fertilizer rates and custom application as part of the lease contract with Byrnes voting against the matter, with the matter approved by split vote.
The meeting moved into Department Head Updates with Allamakee County Environmental Health Director Laurie Moody noting her attendance at the meeting is as a Department Head. She noted concerns as a Postville resident relating to the continued availability of childcare in this community.
Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer discussed ongoing work relating to election preparations. Beyer noted that absentee voting in-office and by mail begins Wednesday, October 18 and that election equipment testing and poll worker training will be taking place.
The meeting adjourned with Duffy providing a tour of the library to the Supervisors.
