Ames Tribune
When Huxley got its first stoplight, Mayor Kevin Deaton said he thought, “What in the world do we need that thing for?” Now the town has three and as the fastest-growing community in Story County, will likely need more.
A city of around 4,000 people, Huxley saw the most growth of any city in Story County from 1990 to 2018, according to a recent housing study, and continues to fill new homes. To keep up with the growth, the city will need to build 1,040 housing units by 2040, one-third of the county’s overall housing needs, excluding Ames, according to the study.
Ames Tribune
Story County wants more feedback on housing availability after hearing the findings of a housing study last month that confirmed a need for more affordable housing in the area.
One of the findings that came from the study was the county needs another 2,958 homes by 2040, which will be a large undertaking, Story County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Latifah Faisal said.
Though she was surprised by the estimate, Faisal said most of the survey reflected the issues the county was aware of, which she d seen first-hand in her time at the county attorney’s office.
“I think we knew a lot of what was in the report already, but it’s good to have the forecasting,” Faisal said. “It gives some clarity for where we’re going to need to ensure that we have adequate housing throughout the county.”
The Story County Compensation Board made its annual salary adjustment recommendations for the county s elected officials back in December, which included 21.4% raises for the county auditor, treasurer and recorder.
Ames Tribune
Editor s note: This article has been updated due to an error. The Board of Supervisors will not meet Tuesday, Jan. 5. The next board meeting will be held Jan. 12
Story County supervisor Latifah Faisal officially started her term Monday with their first meeting of the year.
The board met at 10 a.m. virtually due to COVID-19, broadcasting from the Story County Administration Building. Future board meetings will continue to be held on Tuesdays at 10 a.m., the board approved Monday.
Faisal is filling the seat previously held by Lauris Olson who finished her term last week after earning 52% of the vote against Republican Steve O Rourke in November.
Latifah Faisal will take over the seat Monday.
Ames Tribune
Former Story County Supervisor Lauris Olson spent her last days in office reminiscing through eight boxes of county records dating back to 1991 a testament to her research-based approach in office.
Among the boxes inherited during her term, Olson found public records requests, complaints about animal confinement applications and letters about drainage ditches. Some of the records she remembered from when she attended meetings as a Des Moines Register reporter. It was a bit of a walk down memory lane, sharing with some of those former supervisors that aren t here anymore, Olson said. I remember a lot, but I guess I just always look at pieces of paper. I never let a paper go by my desk.