Henry County supervisors back Workforce merger

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County will support a regional workforce development merger aimed at improving services and efficiency, following a unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors on July 24.

The merger will combine the Mississippi Valley Workforce Development area — which includes Jackson, Clinton, Scott, Muscatine, Henry, Louisa, Des Moines, and Lee counties — with the South Central Iowa Local Workforce Development Area, consisting of Appanoose, Davis, Hardin, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Marshall, Monroe, Poweshiek, Tama, Van Buren, Wapello, and Wayne counties.

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The move is designed to reduce administrative strain while preserving local control amid anticipated funding cuts. The South Central District, which is losing key staff, faces the risk of dissolving entirely.

Every Workforce Development Area last year took an 18% decrease in funding and saw another 18% cut this fiscal year, according to Mississippi Valley Executive Director Tim Irwin. He said next year holds a projected additional 20—25% decrease in federal funding from the Department of Labor.

By merging, each regions can consolidate administrative duties while continuing to operate with local oversight through subcommittees. Supporters say the model could help prevent other regions from having to surrender control to the state workforce board in future restructuring efforts.

Supervisor Chad White, who represents Henry County on the Mississippi Valley board, led the discussion and expressed support for the proposal during Tuesday’s meeting.

“I personally am leaning toward the merge to allow the merge to happen,” White said, “with the understanding that any reimbursements would be based on population proportion, not equal disbursement.”

White emphasized that the merger would not require additional funding from the county and that existing local control would remain intact.

“There’s no money required up front, and no additional money would be given out,” he said.

White noted that South Central would be the primary merger partner but acknowledged the possibility of future expansion.

“South Central district would be the absolute merge,” he said. “And then there’s talk about a possibility of another one.”

In a prior meeting with Mississippi Valley Workforce Development officials, discussion included the potential for the Northeast Iowa Local Workforce Development Area to join the merger in a later phase. That region includes Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Grundy, Hancock, Howard, Mitchell, Winnebago, Winneshiek, and Worth counties. No decisions have been finalized regarding their participation.

A key factor in the decision was the requirement for unanimous approval from all counties involved. Without Henry County’s support, the merger could not proceed.

“If one county does not vote yes, my understanding [is] that it would kill the whole process,” White said.

A motion to support this merger passed unanimously by the Henry County Board of Supervisors.

A signed letter of support from all counties involved must be submitted by Aug. 18. If approved, the merger would take effect Oct. 1.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com