A quick look at news from around the Tri-State Region.
DES MOINES COUNTY
Most of Des Moines County's elected leaders will receive pay raises on July 1, 2013.
The county's compensation board had recommended salary increases of 4.5% - 6% for the County Attorney, County Auditor, County Recorder, County Sheriff and County Treasurer.
It also recommended raises of about 1% for the three members of the Board of Supervisors.
The supervisors went against the recommendations and froze their own salaries for the upcoming fiscal year.
They also reduced the proposed raises for the other five eelcted leaders by 1/3.
Supervisors Bob Beck and Jim Cary approved the raises while Chairman Tom Broeker opposed them.
Des Moines County’s union employees have agreed to wage freezes in the upcoming fiscal year.
WEST POINT, IA
It appears a solution has been reached on how to alleviate public safety concerns about a proposed road closure in Lee County.
Merschman Seed would like the county to vacate several hundred feet of Avenue C just outside of West Point’s city limits.
The company transports material, back and forth across the road on a daily basis, using forklifts.
Concerns have been raised about emergency vehicle access in that part of town.
Supervisor Ron Fedler says the company is willing to put up a locked gate that first responders could access.
A public hearing on the street vacation will be held on May 14.
HAMILTON, IL
The Hamilton City Council has finalized a plan to prohibit immediate family members of current elected leaders or employees from working for the city.
The nepotism policy defines immediate family as a spouse, child, parent, brother, sister, grandparent or in-law by marriage.
The policy does not apply to volunteer firefighters, employees who get married or co-habit, or someone already on the payroll when a family member is elected to office.
DES MOINES
Des Moines and Van Buren Counties are the latest in southeast Iowa to be included in a state disaster declaration after recent storms and flooding.
Lee County was included in a previous declaration.
Residents who live in one of the affected counties and meet certain income requirements could qualify for a $5,000 grant to help with expenses.
FEMA will be conducting damage assessments to decide whether a Presidential Disaster Declaration is warranted.
