Capitol Notebook: Former Baxter, Iowa city officials charged after report alleged $75K in improper spending

DES MOINES — Two former City of Baxter officials have been arrested and charged with crimes after a state investigation tied them to more than $75,000 in improper disbursements.

William Dagget, 48, the former Baxter Police Chief, was charged this week with first-degree theft and felonious misconduct in office, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Katelyn Wilson, 29, a former Baxter city clerk, was charged with unauthorized computer access.

Baxter is a small town of fewer than 100 people in Jasper County.

The arrests and charges follow an investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa State Auditor’s Office and the Jasper County Attorney’s Office, according to DPS.

A Nov. 7 report from the Iowa Auditor’s Office said its investigation, which had been requested by city officials, found more than $75,000 in improper disbursements.

The improper payments included improper payroll costs and excess comp time payments to Daggett and Wilson, and improper payroll costs and excess vacation balance payout to former EMS coordinator Randi Gliem.

First-degree theft in Iowa is a Class C felony, punishable up to 10 years in jail and a fine between $1,370 and $13,660. Misconduct in office is a Class D felony, punishable up to 5 years with a fine between $1,025 and $10,245.

Unauthorized computer access is an aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by up to 2 years in jail and a fine between $855 and $8,540.

Survey: Iowa businesses remain optimistic

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Sentiment among Iowa businesses remained positive in the Iowa Business Council’s Economic Survey for the fourth quarter of 2025.

The report measures the group’s member expectations for sales, capital spending and employment for the next six months. A score above 50 points indicates positive sentiment; the fourth-quarter score was 63.2, an increase from the previous quarter and two points higher than the historical average.

“Entering 2026 with a strong sense of optimism is an important indicator for the state’s economy,” IBC President Joe Murphy said in a press release. “We look forward to working with the governor, the Iowa General Assembly, and our federal delegation to put forth pro-business policies that enable more growth across all sectors in Iowa.”

The top challenges faced by businesses, according to the most recent survey, are unfavorable business climate — like federal regulations, the national supply chain and infrastructure — and workforce attraction and retention.

The Iowa Business Council has members in all 99 counties, the group says.

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau

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