Latest news with #IowaDOGETaskForce
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Iowa DOGE mulls whether the state needs 99 counties
A government efficiency task force established by Gov. Kim Reynolds is meeting again Wednesday and may further examine the politically and culturally sensitive issue of whether Iowa needs all 99 counties. Why it matters: Iowa's county structure is deeply rooted in the state's identity. Yet some have fewer than 5,000 residents, raising questions about the viability of redundant local governments and infrastructure, including 100 courthouses across the state. Catch up quick: Reynolds issued an executive order creating Iowa DOGE Task Force in February, appointing an all-Republican committee to steer it. Its aim is to maximize taxpayer money, leverage emerging technology and refine workforce and job training programs. County consolidation was among the ideas floated in June when task force members agreed to do more research before making a final report in September. Flashback: Ideas for county consolidation have been on some lawmakers' minds for decades, including in 2004 when former state Sen. Matt McCoy (D-DSM) introduced legislation that would have created a legislative study committee to explore it. The measure never advanced. Yes, but: In February, McCoy — who is now the chairperson of the Polk County Board of Supervisors — told Axios that consolidation or increased collaboration among local governments is becoming necessary, especially given state-level efforts to cut property taxes. Reality check: Cutting the number of counties would require a constitutional amendment, potentially presenting a major political challenge. A more efficient option could be "a regionalism approach," which would expand existing cost-sharing and cooperative service models among counties rather than eliminating county lines, Andrea Woodard, executive director of the Iowa State Association of Counties, tells Axios. The big picture: While full-scale county mergers are rare, several states have pursued regional service delivery or structural consolidations to cut costs and boost efficiency. The intrigue: Iowa has already regionalized certain services, including mental health and substance abuse systems, and consolidated some state government agencies.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Yahoo
Victim killed in Polk County crash identified as Des Moines woman
POLK COUNTY, Iowa — A woman who was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 141 over the weekend has been identified. Shortly before 9 a.m. on Sunday the Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a crash near the 12100 block of Highway 141. When first responders arrived at the scene they found a single vehicle that had crashed into the west ditch and hit a tree. Gov. Reynolds signs executive order to create Iowa DOGE Task Force According to the sheriff's office, evidence collected so far indicates the vehicle was traveling southbound on Highway 141 when the driver lost control, entered the west ditch, and hit the tree. On Monday the sheriff's office identified the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, as 26-year-old Kayla Breanne Frommelt of Des Moines. She died from her injuries at the scene. An investigation into the crash is ongoing. Metro News: Victim killed in Polk County crash identified as Des Moines woman Local Chiefs fans react to 40-22 loss to Eagles Chiefs fans gather at Truman's KC Pizza Tavern in East Village for Super Bowl 59 The Little Book celebrates one year, embraced by community Murder charge added in connection to Ames shooting, killed one person Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
