Mahaska County Emergency Management seek joint meeting between Osky council, county supervisors

By ANDY GOODELL

OSKALOOSA — It’s time to regroup.

The Mahaska County Emergency Management Commission are continuing their efforts to have the county’s emergency management office better funded.

The commission first began plans to request additional funding when they voted to determine that the emergency management office should be a full-time operation in January. Jamey Robinson, Mahaska County Emergency Management coordinator, said there has been a lack of communication, which had caused the city council to be unaware of this decision.

Despite the urging of supporters, the Oskaloosa City Council voted June 1 to return funding to the Mahaska County Emergency Management Office back to $1 per capita. The council had previously approved an increase to $1.50 per capita at their May 18 meeting.

Robinson said some city council members simply don’t understand what his office needs to be able to accomplish.

“I’m just afraid they’re not looking at the big picture,” said Robinson.

After a Mahaska County Emergency Management Commission meeting late this past week, efforts have begun to bring the Oskaloosa City Council and Mahaska County Supervisors together for a joint meeting on the matter. Robinson said he’s trying to get David Miller, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division administrator, to speak at the meeting.

“He’ll explain to the city and county about what’s at stake if they’re not funding emergency management,” said Robinson of what he hopes Miller will do. “We could lose disaster funds and any other grant money we’re eligible for.”

Robinson explained that his office brings in much more money to Mahaska County than it costs to run the office.

“I would venture to say it’s in the millions over last several years,” he said.

As far as seeking full-time status for his position, Robinson said he and the Mahaska County Emergency Management are still in a “gray area” on that issue. He said the 30 hours per week his position is currently designed for simply isn’t enough time to accomplish what his office needs to get done. Robinson added, he routinely exceeds the 30 hours a week and that he uses “carry over hours or comp time” frequently.

“I just did my payroll for this two weeks and I had six hours of that,” said Robinson of his carry over hours. “That was even after stepping away from the office for a couple days.”

A date for the joint meeting between Mahaska County Supervisors and Oskaloosa City Council has not yet been determined, said Robinson.

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City Editor Andy Goodell can be reached at news2@oskyherald.com

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