Delaware supervisors OK $3 million Lake Delhi bond

MANCHESTER – The Delaware County supervisors on Monday announced their intention to authorize a $3 million essential county purpose bond to help rebuild the failed Lake Delhi dam.

“I may lose some friends over this, and I have been told that,” Supervisor Jeff Madlom said in proclaiming his support for the county bond issue.

Supervisor Shirley Helmrichs, noting that applicable studies have been completed and Lake Delhi leadership has made itself more accountable to the public, said, “I'm ready to move forward.”

Supervisor Jerry Ries, who had been adamant that the bond be approved by a vote of county residents, said he now favors authorizing the bonds without a referendum.

Ries said he changed his mind when it became clear that a referendum could not be scheduled until May, well after the projected adjournment of the Iowa Legislature, which is being counted on to appropriate $5 million over two years for the rebuilding effort.

The supervisors' approval of the bond bodes well for legislative passage of the rebuilding funds, said Steve Leonard, president of the Lake Delhi Combined Recreational Facility and Water Quality District, the lake area's official governing body.

The supervisors unanimously passed a resolution in support of the county bond and set a public hearing on the matter for 1:15 p.m. March 19, at which time the supervisors are expected to formally authorize the indebtedness.

“I really don't think our position will change,” Helmrichs said.

Helmrichs said the board received feedback from hundreds of constituents.

“A lot of people said they would have liked to see it go up for a vote, but a lot also said they could live with our decision,” Ries said.

Leonard said the supervisors' willingness to listen to constituents and evaluate large volumes of information speaks highly of their leadership abilities.