At Monday’s Wright County Board of Supervisors meeting, Shirley Helgevold, MIDAS Executive Director, discussed the possibility of establishing a new Housing Trust Fund through MIDAS. Helgevold explained that Homeward, Inc. is dissolving the housing trust fund portion of their organization that Wright County formerly had access to. A housing trust fund can be used by income qualifying individuals for assistance like home rehab projects, down payment help, handicapped-accessible additions, and certain other home improvements.
Helgevold explained that the county has options. They can work with MIDAS to establish a new fund, but this wouldn’t be able to get going until 2024. The county could join an existing trust fund or establish its own with at least one other county. Wright County Economic Development Director Darrel Steven Carlyle said, “We need to explore this because we were using the trust fund the most out of the counties involved with Homeward, Inc. Wright County residents will suffer without a fund.” The board ultimately said they are interested in establishing or joining some kind of housing trust fund. Helgevold and Carlyle will continue to look at options.
The Board signed a proclamation from the CICS mental health region declaring May Mental Health Month in Wright County. The proclamation reads in part, “Mental health conditions are real and prevalent in our nation; and with early and effective treatment, those individuals with mental health conditions can recover and lead full, productive lives. Each business, school, government agency, healthcare provider, organization and citizen shares the burden of mental health problems and has a responsibility to promote mental wellness and support prevention efforts.”
In other board business, Supervisor Dean Kluss briefly mentioned that the Hardin County Supervisors recently approved a “petition to intervene” to be sent to the Iowa Utilities Board regarding the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline. This allows that county to have more say in the public proceedings coming up beyond just formal written comments. Kluss says he is reaching out the Wright County attorney and drainage attorney about drafting a similar petition.
Adam Clemons, Wright County Engineer, asked the board to consider a new hire for Patrol Operator out of the Dows Maintenance Facility. His name will be released after a drug-screening and physical.
Later Monday, the Board held a work session to work on a CDBG grant for the county resource center.
