By Casey Jarmes | The News-Review
SIGOURNEY – During the Dec. 8 meeting of the Keokuk County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors received an annual report on the Conservation Department from Director Pie Reighard. Rieghard gave an overview of staffing, the conservation board, department revenue, and camping statistics, noting that it had been a “pretty good year.” He listed off projects the department had carried out this year at Belva Deer Park, including: resurfacing the playgrounds with peat gravel, replacing several docks, installing an anti-seep collar, renovating all five cabin interiors, new concrete at the campground toilets, installing a new ADA-compliant sidewalk at one of the shelters, planting thirty arborvitae trees, adding a dock structure, brush mowing on the equestrian trail, and spreading millings. Rieghard also mentioned a major road and ditch project at Yenrougis, maintenance work at various wildlife areas, and purchasing a tree watering system for the arborvitae trees and a new mower.
Also at the Monday morning meeting, the board spoke with Sarah Berndt and Unity Stevens of Iowa Primary Care Association (PCA) and Jane Larkin from Iowa Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health. Berndt explained that the PCA is a non-profit that works to help people get into contact with medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services in Iowa. They do not provide treatment, but help make it easier for people to gain access to healthy services. She stated their goal was to provide consistency in care between different districts. Stevens stated that they try to provide standardized, effective, person-centered care and reduce barriers to access in low-income communities.
Stevens explained that they develop lists and trainings, refer people to providers and programs, help identify local and tele-health options, and help set up appointments. She noted that, during the government shutdown back in October and subsequent pausing of SNAP benefits, they created state-wide lists of food resources. She stated that the most common referral they do is for mental health services, followed by housing and substance abuse disorder. Berndt requested the supervisors attend a district meeting and provide feedback to the organization. Stevens stated they plan to meet with other local organizations like the sheriff’s department, schools and city councils in the future. She stated that they were working to identify a list of healthcare providers and libraries in every county, then would move onto listing out civic groups, faith based communities, and anywhere else someone can go for help.
Auditor Christy Bates stated that she had been sent a price estimate for repairing the courthouse clock tower, which would cost roughly $27,000 for the repairs and $7,000 for a digital controller. She stated that they had received complaints about the clock not working, but that she was unsure if they should repair it, due to the price.
