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The Marshall County Board of Supervisors breezed through another brief regular meeting on Wednesday morning with a series of agenda items that passed quickly, including news of a federal grant to aid the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force (MIDTF).
According to Sheriff Joel Phillips, who communicated remotely, the grant will provide $89,610 to the task force, which is comprised of members of multiple law enforcement agencies including the MCSO, and the county is not required to provide any match. The grant used to be capped at $50,000.
"Our detective sergeant provided a great Power Point project, and they decided to fund the entire amount of $89,610. And what this was is we were looking for a program that would not only help patrol responses, but also our corrections, our administrative and then also our crisis intervention partnerships with MPACT," Phillips said.
The MILO virtual reality program, which is assisted by generative artificial intelligence (AI), is scenario-based and sets parameters on outcomes and reactions, suggesting how officers can improve in various situations. Phillips added that a lot of the program deals with de-escalation and conflict resolution.
It will run from Sept. 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, and Phillips said they paid for the equipment first before being reimbursed once the funds have been transferred to the general fund. A motion to approve the grant passed unanimously.
During the public comment period at the end of the meeting, Dylan Does and Alex Ferneau of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce mentioned the possibility of hosting a veteran-focused three-day event next summer with a Global War on Terror (GWOT) wall, Vietnam wall and 85 different A-frame displays.
In other business, the board:
Read a proclamation for Operation Green Light for Veterans 2026.
Approved the consent agenda as listed.
Approved the quarterly transfer of $750,000 from the Rural Services Fund to the Secondary Road Fund.
Approved the Dec. 1 deadline for outside agencies requesting county funding for Fiscal Year 2028.
Approved the board's recommendation to terminate the county contract with Aware Health effective Dec. 31.
Acknowledged the receipt of property tax refund claims for five locations pursuant to Iowa Code 445.60 without taking formal action.
Adopted a resolution terminating the Marshalltown Gateway Centre Urban Renewal Area and the first reading of a proposed ordinance repealing Ordinance #25 for the Marshalltown Gateway Centre Urban Renewal Area.
Set the public hearing on the proposed vacation of a portion of Davidson Avenue for the next meeting on Nov. 4.
Approved a consulting agreement with Clapsaddle-Garber Associates.
Contact Robert Maharry at (641) 753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.