Central Services
About Us
This Division provides a wide range of services to all County and some State functions, including: purchasing of goods & services, contracting, mail processing, central stores, archives, print shop, and fleet management.
Archives
Central Services Archives: A place in which public records or historical documents are preserved
Records Management
Access to Public Records and Documents:
Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of the head of each county office or department to provide for the maintenance, protection, and security of public records and documents, and to assure compliance with all provisions of the Code of Iowa.
Procedures - Right to Examine Records: Every citizen has the right to examine all public records and to copy such records, and the news media may publish records unless a provision of the code expressly limits that right or requires certain public records to be kept secret or confidential.
- All examination and copying of public records will be done under the supervision of the lawful custodian of the records or an authorized deputy.
- The lawful custodian of the records or an authorized deputy may charge a reasonable fee to recover costs incurred for services including reproduction costs.
In accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure, a district court may grant an injunction restraining the examination (including copying) of a specific public record if the petition supported by affidavit shows and if the court finds that such examination would clearly not be in the public interest and would substantially and irreparably injure any person or persons.
Original records and documents will not be released from a county office or department unless so ordered by a court or by the lawful custodian of the records or an authorized deputy. A certified copy of a record or document will be retained by the department if the original record or document is released. Certain exceptions to this procedure may be authorized at the discretion of the office holder or department head.
Procedures – Confidential Records: The Code of Iowa stipulates that certain public records will be kept confidential unless otherwise ordered by a court or by the lawful custodian of the records or an authorized deputy.
The head of each office or department is responsible for noting applicable Code sections defining certain records as confidential.
In the event that records classified as confidential are released to a service bureau for microfilming, it is the responsibility of the lawful custodian of the records to assure that the service bureau implements appropriate measures to preserve the confidentiality of those records.
The Micrographics section of the Recorder’s Office is responsible for maintaining confidentiality of records which are in its custody during the microfilming process.
General Responsibilities - County Offices and Departments:
Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of the head of each office or department to establish and maintain a program for the economical and efficient management of its records in cooperation with the Director of the Department of General Services and the Records Management Division.
Procedures – Polk County Records Officers: The head of each office or department will designate an employee to function as Records Officer in addition to that person’s regularly assigned responsibilities.
- The Records Officer will be a permanent, full-time employee knowledgeable in the overall programs and functions of that office and the related records required to document those programs and functions.
- The Records Officer will be delegated the authority to act on behalf of the department head in routine decisions regarding the retention and disposition of that office’s records and files.
The Records Officer will maintain liaison with the Records Management Division of the Department of General Services.
- At the time, a department Records Officer ceases to be employed in that capacity, the head of that office will designate another individual to act as the officer.
- The Records Management Division of the General Services Department will maintain a current list of Records Officers and is to be notified by the department head when a new person is designated.
Polk County Archives contains records, as governed by the Code of Iowa, of various county offices.
Type of information:
Affidavits:
- Index: 1907 – 1985
City Directories:
- Des Moines: 1920 – 2002
- Des Moines Suburban Area: 1963 – 2002
- West Des Moines & Polk City: 1998 - 2002
Declaration of Value for property:
- 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2010/2011 – For other years, contact the County Assessor’s Office
Minutes of the Board of Supervisors
Miscellaneous:
- Index: 1866 – 1906; 1915 – 1921
- Records: 1864 – 1934
Mortgages and Deed (both Land and Lot)
- Land Index: 1848 – May 1, 1952 – For more recent Indexes, contact the County Recorder’s Office.
- Lot Index: 1851-July 24, 1959 - For more recent Indexes, contact the County Recorder's Office
Trade Names:
- Index: 1925 - 1965
Transfer Fee Book:
- 1952 – 1980
Vital Records:
- Birth, Death & Marriage: Contact the County Recorder’s Office.
For more information, please contact Nedim Bashich with Polk County at 515-286-2188 or Nedim.Bashich@polkcountyiowa.gov
AUCTIONS
General Auction Information
Miscellaneous items such as furniture, equipment and vehicles are auctioned using on-line and local companies. These public auctions are held periodically throughout the year.
To view items please visit the websites below:
For surplus furniture please visit GovDeals at www.govdeals.com or contact Jim Cacciatore with Polk County General Services at 515-286-3044 or James.Cacciatore@polkcountyiowa.gov
For surplus vehicles and equipment please visit Dvorak Auction Service at www.dvorakauctionservice.com
For questions, please contact Polk County General Services at 515-286-3215
Internal Services
Much of General Services’ daily activity is serving the needs of the County’s offices and departments. Seven staff members provide professional and prompt service supporting activities throughout the County. Some of these services include mail processing, central stores, printing, and vehicle fleet management.
Mail Processing
Polk County operates a central mail processing office that receives mail from numerous County and State offices. Mail is run through a postage meter, bundled and taken to the U.S Post Office for reduced rate deliveries. The Mail Room also receives all County mail, sorts and delivers to the various County buildings and those sites that house State functions supported by County Government, such as the courts and human services.
Central Stores
Given the need to provide office supplies throughout the County, General Services has a Central Stores staff that is responsible for receiving most goods, equipment and supplies used by the County. Central Stores maintains an inventory of selected items that are routinely used by County offices. Most items used by the County are not kept in the inventory but are purchased with a short term delivery. Central Stores staff deliver requisitioned items to work sites.
Print Shop
A small print shop is operated in support of County offices, providing production printing and image work. Approximately 480,000 pages per month are produced in color and black & white formats. Special work is sent to outside printers when the Print Shop is not able to produce the requested formats.
Purchasing Contact
| Name | Kelly Michael |
| Title | Central Services Supervisor |
| Address | 111 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309 |
| Phone | 515-286-3191 |
| Kelly.Michael@polkcountyiowa.gov | |
| Fax | 515-286-3364 |
| Responsibilities | Oversees day to day purchases, purchases outside printing, special buys, ammunition, internal services, gasoline and diesel fuel. |
Fleet Management
Vehicle Fleet Management
The General Services Department manages the County’s vehicle fleet of approximately 198 vehicles. This count includes all cars, light trucks and sport utility vehicles assigned to departments. This does not include Secondary Road maintenance equipment and Conservation Department vehicles. The Department purchases vehicles as needed, takes the trade-ins to County Auction, conducts annual inventory, and manages scheduled maintenance and records. The Public Works Department performs regular maintenance duties.
Please contact Kelly Michael, Central Services Supervisor, for more information:
Phone: 515-286-3191