By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on April 21. A public hearing was held on the fiscal year 2027 budget. No members of the general public spoke during the hearing. Auditor Dani Fink reported on the budgetary status.

“Taxable value has increased from the 2024 year to the 2025 year by $52 million countywide,” Fink said. “Also a comparison of levy rates from the last two fiscal years, you can see that years 2025 and 2026 stayed consistent, and then a slight drop in General Basic, General Supplemental and Rural Basic for 2027.”

When the hearing closed, the supervisors unanimously adopted Resolution 26-30 to certify taxes for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong shared information on the communication plan regarding the P28/Wagon Road construction project. She said the project is expected to begin on or around May 18 with an expected completion date in mid to late summer.

“Currently, there’s been some patch work done to prep us for this big project,” Armstrong said. “May 1, we are targeting for a social media and website campaign launch. I will email the press release to local media and to stakeholders.”

She explained that stakeholders include those impacted by the project, including school districts and businesses along the routes impacted. She added that while signage will likely say “closed to through traffic,” those living along the route and campers at Nations Bridge Park will be allowed to drive to and from where they need to go.

“May 8 — this is 10 days out from the start — that’s when the postcard is going to drop to adjacent landowners,” Armstrong said. “So, they’ll have more than a week’s notice.”

Armstrong added that wording will be included in the communication acknowledging the inconveniences and delays that come with such a road project and thanking the public for their patience while the project goes on.

The supervisors meet regularly on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person at the courthouse or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#

Special to the Times Vedette 

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Matt Losee reported a car vs. deer accident occurring on April 19 at 8:52 p.m. on Highway 44. Shy Anne Strahm, 24, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was driving a 2015 Toyota Corolla westbound on Highway 44 and struck a deer, causing heavy front-end damage to the passenger side of the vehicle. Estimated damage is $5,000.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the April 20 meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital Board of Trustees, a public hearing was held regarding the hospital’s fiscal year 2026-2027 county budget. Chief Financial Officer Brandon Johnson summarized the highlights of the proposed budget. No public comments/questions were made, so the public hearing closed.

The trustees later approved three budgets for fiscal year 2027 (the capital budget, the operating budget and the county budget).

Chief Nursing Officer Mandy Schiefert reported on the nursing department.

“We are working on Nurses Week, May 6112. Our DAISY ceremony will be on Thursday, May 7 at 2 p.m. at Sneakers,” Schiefert said.

She also shared information on recently filled nursing positions.

“We onboarded a couple of new nurses that will be fulltime nights,” Schiefert said.

Chief Human Resources Officer Mary Anderson provided a report.

“Our new learning management system, Relias, we have implemented that. The new hires have been using it, and they really like it,” Anderson said.

Anderson noted that the hospital’s most recently measured employee retention rate is 92.4%.

Foundation Director Dennis Flanery offered an update on fundraising events.

“We had our annual Handbags and Bingo, which was another successful event, so thanks to everybody who either worked or attended or was a sponsor,” Flanery said. “Our golf event is our next big event that’s coming up. The first round of mailings went out.”

Chief Operations Officer Travis Martin shared information on the facilities project at the hospital.

“If you’ve been down 12^th Street, you’ll notice they’ve started taking the front of the building off today, so there’s a gaping hole out front,” he said. “We are sealed on the inside, but you’ll see that the building is starting to come down.”

Martin also reported on the Stuart clinic.

“The interior framing is done down there. They’re starting drywall next week, so we are still anticipating being done by June 1,” Martin said.

The next regular meeting of the trustees is set for Thursday, May 28 at 4 p.m. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

A public notice from the city of Yale announced the intent to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mayor Beverly Louk by appointment. Those interested in being appointed mayor must submit a letter of interest to city hall, P.O. Box 97, by 5 p.m. on April 21, 2026. The council expects to appoint a successor at the council meeting on April 22. The successor shall fill the vacancy until the next regular city election, which will be Nov. 2, 2027. The electors of Yale have the right to file a petition, conforming to the requirements of Section 372.13 of the Code of Iowa, requiring that the vacancies be filled by a special election. Said petition shall be filed with the city clerk within 14 days after publication of the public notice or within 14 days after the vacancy is filled by appointment. The petition must be signed by eligible electors who are entitled to vote to fill the office of the mayor, equal in number to 15% of those who voted for candidates for the office of the last regular election but not less than seven signatures.

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On April 17, a total of 10 players participated. Dave Richter got three 16s; Robert Klever got a 16; and Chet Vaughan and Allen Pierce both got a 17.

On April 20, a total of eight players participated. Chet Vaughan and Robert Klever each got a 16; and Sandy Rumelhart got a 16 and an 18.

The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library, 400 Grand St., on Mondays at 8 a.m. and at the New Homestead independent living dining hall, 2306 State St., at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. on Fridays. Organizers say there is always room for more, and they will be glad to teach you how to play. They play for quarters on Wednesday and Friday.

Special to the Times Vedette

Chapter No. 7072 of The Royal Neighbors of America in Guthrie Center met for their quarterly meeting on April 11. There were 11 members present, including guest Steve Smith, who presented information concerning RAGBRAI riders that will be staying overnight in Guthrie Center July 20.  Reports of delivering Meals on Wheels, making cookies for the blood bank and helping with the Panora Food Bank were given. Also reported was the donation of $500 to The Little Charger Early Learning Center and $500 to the Guthrie Center RAGBRAI Committee to be used at their discretion. A total of 48 cloth shopping bags were made and delivered to The New Opportunities in Guthrie Center. The chapter’s next meeting will be July 11.