Walker to lead supervisors again in 2024

The Adair County supervisors reorganized for 2024 in a meeting Monday, Jan. 2 at the courthouse.

Jerry Walker was re-elected chairman of the board and Nathan Baier vice chair.

In naming Walker chairman for the next year, the supervisors commended him for his leadership in 2023 and looked forward to the same this year.

“I think [last] year went really well. A lot of things changed at the state level. They took a lot of control away from the counties. They’ve taken control away from the counties but now it’s back with the counties, who have to figure out how to fund it all,” Walker said, mentioning House File 718, passed last year.

HF 718 brings significant changes to Iowa’s property tax system. One of the implications is the basic levy will drop to $3.50 and the rural basic levy will drop to $3.95. If assessments are higher, as they are in 30 counties around the state, HF 718 will have a negative impact on the ability counties have to spend the money they have.

“It’s going to hurt a lot of counties. Overall, I think Adair County has done very well in being able to get bridges and culverts put in, get rock on the roads. If people need it they always seem to get it out to residents,” Walker said. “It should be a good upcoming year, except for budgeting, seeing how to get this new house file to work.”

The official newspapers for the year will be the Adair County Free Press and Adair News.

Meetings will remain weekly at 9 a.m. Wednesdays.

The supervisors were appointed to various boards and commissions for the upcoming year. They mostly stayed the same from the previous year.