Jasper County Board of Supervisors Chairman Brandon Talsma hopes the number of hiring resolutions the supervisors approve this year goes down considerably. Talsma says several department reorganizations and competition from surrounding communities led to a lot of hiring in 2024.

“We lose a lot of guys to the Des Moines Metropolitan area. We lost several office personnel from the Secondary Roads Department to the Des Moines Metro. We lost a couple of operators to Poweshiek County. I think we lost one to the City of Newton.”

The Jasper County Board of Supervisors Chairman notes competition for the available labor pool in this area is very competitive. The Board of Supervisors are currently in the process of simplifying the county’s pay plan, and Talsma hopes that will help attract and keep more employees.