Government

More than two years after a nearly $200,000 restoration project was completed at the Glenwood Public Library, the facility continues to be plagued by a leaky roof.

Library board member Terry Craig voiced concerns about the leak to members of the Glenwood City Council at a meeting in late December, noting the situation has existed for several months.

According to a financial report submitted to the state of Iowa, the city of Glenwood’s general fund had a deficit of $116,140 at the conclusion of the 2014-2015 fiscal year that ended June 30.

The 2015 fiscal year deficit marks the second consecutive year the city’s general fund has ended the year in the red. The general fund deficit was $297,000 at the conclusion of the 2014 fiscal year.

The financial report was submitted to the state in November by the city’s auditing firm – Council Bluffs-based Hamilton and Associates.

The Glenwood city election has taken an unexpected turn.

City attorney Matt Woods and Mills County Auditor Carol Robertson have confirmed that a relatively unknown and seldom utilized provision in the city code of ordinances requires a candidate to receive a majority of the vote (more than 50 percent by state definition) to be elected to public office.

The Glenwood Public Library has a new director.

Lamoni native Tara Painter began her new duties last week, replacing Jenny Ellis who resigned in July.

Painter was initially hired at the library earlier this summer to fill a part-time position and was among several applicants for the director’s job. She has many years of experience working in libraries, most recently as director of acquisitions at the State Historical Society of Missouri in Columbia.