Proposed funds for elevator denied

A proposal to use Ticket to Work funds to improve the elevator within the Union County Courthouse will not develop as the funding source can’t be used.

Earlier this month, Jesse Bolinger informed the supervisors of a plan to use an estimated $107,000 in Ticket to Work funds, which are through Iowa Workforce Development, for the elevator as funds can be used to assist disabled people. On June 19, Bolinger told the county others with Ticket to Work were not in favor of the proposal as it was not a proper use of the money.

The elevator is working but is in need of upgrades. Supervisor Dennis Hopkins made a motion to repair the elevator contingent upon Ticket to Work funds. The motion was approved.

The county is researching use of another source of funds for another purpose.

Supervisors are planning how to spend funds the county received from an opioid settlement. In late 2021, the county submitted a claim in a settlement the federal government reached with makers of opioids, the painkilling, prescription drug that has caused many overdoses and addictions. The county received $77,000, which was more than initially thought, and there more may be in the future.

Funds must be used for educational prevention programs or treatment programs related to opioid addiction. Brittany Palmer, Executive Director of Crossroads requested $60,000 of the county’s amount to be used to hire two prevention specialists to implement prevention programs within area schools. Creston Community School is in favor of the program. Palmer has met with East Union officials about offering the program.

Union and Ringgold counties will share replacing a bridge on the Ringgold-Union County line, east of 270th Street. The work is estimated at $350,000 and be split between the two counties. A work schedule has not yet been finalized.