Keokuk, IA –
Montrose, IA
Lee County's drop-in center will remain open for another year.
The Board of Supervisors has signed off on a new contract with Hope Haven, which manages the Fort Madison facility for residents with mental health and other developmental disabilities.
CPC Administrator Ryanne Wood says Hope Haven's fee is increasing by 3%.
She says it is a cost savings to the county, though, because use of the center has reduced the need for other more costly services.
Keokuk, IA
Sewer rates will soon go up in Keokuk.
The city council has approved the first reading of a proposal to increase the residential rate by roughly 10% and the industrial rate by 5%.
The residential rate was originally projected to increase by 20%, but increased usage allowed for the smaller hike.
Keokuk's new rates must be approved two more times.
The city needs to increase its rates to help pay for its multi-year, multi-million dollar sewer separation project.
Montrose, IA
Lee County Auditor Anne Pedersen is taking on some additional duties.
The Board of Supervisors has agreed to transfer the maintenance department and its three employees from the control of the board to Pedersen.
Supervisor Larry Kruse says this will allow day-to-day oversight of the department as opposed to the supervisors, who are not in the county offices everyday.
Keokuk, IA
The Keokuk City Council is no longer considering a weapons ban on public property.
The ban, which would have covered parks and city buildings, was put on hold more than six months ago.
The city council was going to reconsider it so it could fail without a formal vote.
Aldermen ended up voting 6-1 against the ban, though, accomplishing the same goal.
1,000+ weapons permits have been issued in Lee County since the first of the year.