News Archive
Polk County Supervisor Is Named 2010 Outstanding Advocate by Easter Seals
DES MOINES, Iowa – October 29, 2010 — Fifth District Supervisor
Angela Connolly has been named 2010 Outstanding Advocate by Easter Seals. This award
honors officials at the municipal or local level whose work and personal examples
have made a significant difference in the lives of people with disabilities.
“Supervisor Connolly has been committed to securing and maintaining funding for
people with disabilities for the entire eleven (11) years she has served on the
board. However, what makes her outstanding is her belief that just providing services
is not enough. She is committed to ensuring our community has quality services that
meet the needs of the individuals and families; services that are easy to access
and that are always looking for new, cutting edge ways to improve to meet any unmet
needs,” stated Sherri Nielsen, President and CEO of Easter Seals Iowa.
Supervisor Connolly will be presented the award at the Health Services Board of
Directors meeting on December 8th.
Board Receives “Spirit of Community” Award from Convention & Visitors Bureau
DES MOINES, Iowa – October 28, 2010 — At last night’s annual celebration
of the Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), the Board of Supervisors
received the “Spirit of Community” Award. This award is not one that is presented
every year by the CVB but only when there is a high level of commitment shown to
Greater Des Moines. There were four contenders for this year’s award. “This year’s
winners have a vision of what they want their community to be and they have shown
the dedication and hard work to get there,” stated Greg Edwards, CVB’s President
and CEO.
“The Board of Supervisors is pleased to have received this award. We will continue
to support issues that make a difference to Polk County and the community”, stated
Supervisor Angela Connolly, board member of the CVB, who was present at the event
to accept the award.
Matt Homan and his staff of Global Spectrum at the Iowa Events Center also received
an award for “Sport Friend of Hospitality.” The awards are given annually and voted
on by the CVB board.
Seniors Recognize the Services Polk Provides
DES MOINES, Iowa – October 26, 2010 — At yesterday’s meeting, the
Board of Supervisors received a certificate of appreciation from senior representatives
of the congregate meal sites for the services provided by Polk County. The seniors
cited Polk County’s funding of the senior centers, transportation, congregate meals
and other supportive activities as critical to their ability to live independently
within the community. “Over 1,000 seniors are served daily at 17 congregate meal
sites throughout Polk County. The services provided to Polk County’s older adults
are vital in allowing us to continue to live in our homes and be productive members
of society,” stated Harvey Martens, Senior Services Advisory Board member. From
July 2009 through June 2010, these services reached over 7,175 people over the age
of 60.
“The Board of Supervisors is pleased to provide these important services to our
seniors. Ensuring that our older citizens receive the services and support that
they need benefits all of us,” stated Board Chair, Tom Hockensmith.
Polk County operates 6 full time multipurpose senior centers and 11 part time neighborhood
senior centers. These centers offer varied activities and classes on a daily basis.
All of the centers provide a variety of health clinics that include blood pressure,
dental, podiatry and medical screening programs on a regular basis. Monthly health
education on the latest health topics is available at all centers.
Iowa Events Center provides Profit to Polk County
DES MOINES, Iowa – Wednesday, July 21, 2010 The Polk County Board
of Supervisors today, in its regular staff meeting, received news from Global Spectrum,
the company hired to manage the Iowa Events Center (IEC), that due to the successful
and profitable year, Polk County will receive $536,563 in profits for fiscal year
09/10.
Iowa Events Center General Manager Matt Homan addressed the Board today with a revised
FY ’09 - ’10 Budget and the proposed budget for FY ’10 – ‘11 for the facilities.
“The Iowa Events Center continues on its track of success through its operation
by our partner Global Spectrum,” said Polk County Board of Supervisors Chair Tom
Hockensmith. “The decision the Board made to engage a professional management firm
was the right one for Polk County Taxpayers.”
This past fiscal year, the Iowa Events Center hosted 489 events. Wells Fargo Arena
also experienced greater attendance than budgeted. Concerts included AC/DC, Elton
John, Taylor Swift, George Strait and Reba McEntire, Miley Cyrus and many more.
Other successful events included the AQS National Quilt Show & Expo, 2010 National
Pheasant Fest, 26th Annual Golden Age Games, and Iowa's Premier Wine and Food Expo.
This is the largest profit since the Iowa Events Center began operations in 2005.
Homan cited that the success of several unbudgeted events as well as efficient processes
established by Global Spectrum contributed toward 09/10’s profitable year. Prior
to the construction of Wells Fargo Arena and HyVee Hall, Polk County subsidized
the operations of Veterans Memorial Auditorium and the Convention Complex at over
$800,000 dollars annually. Since engaging Global Spectrum to manage/operate the
IEC facilities, Polk County has not had to provide subsidy for the entire complex
(four buildings, HyVee Hall, Wells Fargo Arena, Convention Complex and Veterans
Memorial Auditorium).
The Polk County Board of Supervisors is expected to vote to approve the FY 10/11
budget next week.