Empowering Festina Residents: Job-Related Trainings and Opportunities in Winneshiek County

In partnership with UERPC, the City of ­­­­­­­­­­­Festina (Winneshiek County) wants to help connect residents of the region with job-related trainings and opportunities. Below are links to job-related resources available in our region.

IowaWorks Decorah Satellite Office Training Schedule: The Decorah office serves Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties. Check out the IowaWorks calendar to see the various trainings available or call IowaWorks at 563-382-0457. https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/decorah

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions: Business and Community Solutions is the customized training, workforce development and continuing education division of NICC, offering a variety of education and training options for businesses and individuals to obtain or advance their skills. Check out the website to see the various trainings available or call NICC at 844-642-2338. https://www.nicc.edu/business-community/

If you need further assistance with connecting to the resources you need, feel free to call our office at (563)382-5085.

Nomination Deadline Approaching: Run for School Board or City Council in the November 7th, 2023 Election!

Candidates interested in running for School Board or City Council have through September 21st to file their nomination petitions.  School candidates will file with the school board secretaries and city candidates will file with the County Auditor; to have their names on the ballot for the Regular City and School Election that will be held November 7th, 2023.  Questions about this or any other election matter should be directed to the County Auditor at auditor@co.winneshiek.ia.us.

ATV, ORV & Snowmobile Registrations are due 12/31/2023 and can be Renewed Now.

Unlocking History: One-Day Workshop for National Register of Historic Places Nominations in Decorah – October 20th

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Workshop Coming to Decorah in October 

Interested in nominating a property to the National Register of Historic Places? If so, please join us for a one-day workshop on Friday, October 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Decorah Lutheran Church. The workshop is being hosted by the Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission and the State Historic Preservation Office 

The workshop features a discussion of the complete nomination process as well as review of a successful historic preservation nomination.  Workshop speakers include Allison Archambo and  Lorinda Bradley from the State Historic Preservation Office; Rebecca Conard, Consulting Historian; Shay Gooder, Bear Creek Archeology; and Steve Johnson, Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission.  

Early Bird Registration of $30.00/person runs through October 6th. After October 6th, registration increases to $35.00/person. Registration forms and check payment should be mailed to Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce c/o WCHPC, 507 West Water Street, Decorah, IA 52101. Please make checks payable to Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission.   

The registration form along with the workshop agenda, speaker bios and driving directions can be found at https://tinyurl.com/nrhpdecorah. Registration forms can also be requested by contacting Steve Johnson at wchpc001@gmail.com or 563-380-0606. 

Homestead Law Change for 65 years of age or older

On May 4, 2023, Governor Reynolds signed House File 718, establishing a homestead tax exemption for claimants 65 years of age or older.

In addition to the homestead tax credit, eligible claimants who own the home they live in and are 65 years of age or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year are now eligible for a homestead tax exemption. For the assessment year beginning on January 1, 2023, the exemption is for $3,250 of taxable value. For assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, the exemption is for $6,500 of taxable value. An exemption is a reduction in the taxable value of the property rather than a direct reduction in the amount of property tax you pay.

The Iowa Department of Revenue has amended the Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption (54-028) form to allow claimants to apply for the new exemption. Applications are due July 1 to your local assessor. If the exemption is granted, the exemption will be allowed for future years without future filing as long as the claimant continues to qualify.

Application forms can be found online at Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption (54-028) or by visiting the Winneshiek County Assessor’s Office. Please contact us by phone at 563-382-5356 or by email at khoulihan@co.winneshiek.ia.us if you have any questions.

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as a homestead on July 1 of each year, declare residency in Iowa for income tax purposes and occupy the property for at least six months each year. Persons n the military or nursing homes who do not occupy the home are also eligible.

The annual deadline to apply is July 1.