Supervisors set budget amendment public hearing for August 31, approve new position of County Court Security Officer and one-year agenda management software contract
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 17 at the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library in Lansing as part of the board’s annual schedule of county library and off-site meeting locations. The Supervisors addressed a full agenda of matters including the discussion and consideration of approving a new employee position of County Court Security Officer, the consideration of the Resolution designating voting representatives for the Iowa State Association of Counties, and the consideration of setting the date and time for the Fiscal-Year 2027 County Budget Amendment Public Hearing.
The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Keatley present. During Public Comment, Library Director Carmen Golay of the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library provided an overview of the library’s operation in 2026. Golay noted that Bridge Talks, public information sessions relating to the Black Hawk Bridge replacement project, have continued and remain a popular monthly event. She also made note of plans for the Lansing Library to again host a “November Spirit of Giving” event later in the year.
Golay discussed the importance of the library’s regular programming in addition to noting a statewide and countywide report relating to individual public library trends focusing on the amount of wi-fi and computer use, with the Postville and Lansing Libraries combined representing a majority of these uses. In light of these trends, Golay advised that a grant application is being submitted to allow for the purchase of an additional computer.
In addition, Golay provided an overview of the library’s programming and activities. Some specifics discussed by Golay include the puzzle competition which she advised is a popular winter activity in addition to several out-of-school days being hosted when classes were not in session due to teacher in-service or other reasons. The Summer Reading Program was discussed in addition to the Friday Lunch Program which involved 300 meals being served to children this summer. Adult and senior citizen focused programming was also discussed by Golay, which she advised covered topics including gardening, tax preparation, among other informational matters.
Among other public informational needs, Golay noted that staff and volunteers, of which the number of volunteers has increased, have been able to assist with some technical support questions. Golay advised that grant funding has been received allowing for the purchase of approximately $2,000 in books focused on juvenile readers. Relating to circulation, Golay noted that 2,543 books have been checked out since the beginning of the year.
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