Keokuk County Recorder

10/07/2026

Council Agenda October 7, 2026

10/07/2026

Another job opportunity in Sigourney!

As the holidays approach we are looking to expand our team. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment with co-workers who are energetic and fun, come apply!

●Previous restaurant experience preferred
●Must be 18
●Competitive wages
●Shift discounted meals

10/07/2026

𝐀 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐙𝐄𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐊𝐄𝐎𝐓𝐀 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌

The City of Keota wants to make our community aware of an important issue we are currently working through regarding the future of our water system.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has required the City to address chloride levels associated with our wastewater discharge. Chloride is difficult to remove once it enters the wastewater system, so part of the solution involves looking at where that chloride is coming from.

One significant source is the ion-exchange water softening used by the City. Our current municipal softener uses approximately 𝟖,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡. Residential water softeners also contribute to chloride levels because the salt used to regenerate those systems eventually makes its way into the wastewater system.

Because of this, the City is currently working with engineers to evaluate our options. Some of the possibilities being discussed include:

• Constructing a new water treatment system
• Continuing to operate our own municipal water system with necessary improvements
• Converting Keota to a rural water system

At this point, preliminary discussions indicate that the total cost of addressing our water system could potentially be 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬 $𝟓 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧.

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭.

The City is still gathering information, studying alternatives, determining actual costs, and looking into available grants and financing options.

Based on the information we currently have, construction would more than likely begin sometime in the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕–𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟖 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞. This means we still have time to carefully study the options and have meaningful conversations with the citizens of Keota before any construction begins.

How would this be paid for?

𝐍𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞.

Potential funding could include some combination of:

• Water rates
• Property taxes
• Grants
• Low-interest financing
• Other available funding sources

Any option will need to be carefully evaluated to understand the impact on our residents, families, seniors, farmers, businesses, and property owners.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐘 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫.

• What will the final project cost?
• Should Keota continue operating its own water treatment system?
• Would connecting to rural water make more sense long-term?
• What happens to our existing wells and infrastructure?
• How can we reduce the amount of salt entering our wastewater system?
• What grants and financing may be available?
• What would the impact be on property taxes?
• What would the impact be on monthly water bills?
• What solution will best serve Keota for the next 20–40 years?

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝.

We are sharing this information now because we believe the citizens of Keota deserve to know what we are facing 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞—𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫.

As engineering studies and cost estimates become more complete, the City intends to share that information with the public and provide opportunities for citizens to ask questions, learn about the alternatives, and be part of the conversation.

Keota has been built by generations of people who have invested their time, money, and heart into this community. Whatever solution we ultimately choose, our goal is to protect the future of Keota while being responsible with the money of the people who live here.

This is a significant challenge for our community, but it is also an opportunity to thoughtfully plan for Keota's future.

More information will be shared as it becomes available.

— Ryan Carr, City of Keota Mayor & The Keota City Council

10/07/2026

Great opportunity available at the Wapello County Recorder's Office !!

10/07/2026

📚 Post 9: What Does the Recorder’s Office Do?

So…what exactly does the County Recorder’s Office do?

As you can see, the answer is: a lot!

From recording real estate documents and preserving public records to issuing vital records, processing marriage applications, registering recreational vehicles, selling hunting and fishing licenses, providing passport services, recording military documents, and helping with genealogy research — our office touches many different parts of our community.

A lot of what we do happens behind the scenes. You may only see us for a few minutes when you stop in to renew a registration or pick up a document, but there are rules, regulations, research, recordkeeping, and attention to detail happening behind that counter every day.

Our goal is to provide accurate, reliable, and helpful service to the people of our county — whether you’re buying a house, getting married, planning a vacation, heading out hunting, researching your family tree, or simply trying to track down an important document.

We’re proud of the work we do, and we’re proud to serve our community. ❤️

10/07/2026

🔎 Post 8: Genealogy & Research

Did you know the County Recorder’s Office can be a great place to start when researching your family history or property history? 🔎📚

Our records contain information that can help connect the dots between generations, properties, and the people who have owned them.

Sometimes customers come in looking for a specific document. Other times, they’re trying to piece together information about an ancestor, find out who previously owned a property, or uncover a little more of their family’s story.

We’re happy to help customers navigate our records and point them in the right direction when we can.

Genealogy and historical research can sometimes feel like putting together a giant puzzle — and we love helping people find the pieces!

You never know what you might discover in the records. 🗂️🏡

10/07/2026

🦌🌲 HUNTERS: New Treestand Rules for Iowa Public Land

If you hunt deer or turkey on Iowa’s public land, there are some important treestand rules to know before you head out this season!

🏷️ Tag Your Treestand
Treestands placed on public land MUST have a metal tag attached with the owner’s Iowa DNR-issued Customer Identification Number (CID). The tag must be visible from the ground.

🚫 No Permanent Treestands
Permanent treestands may not be constructed on Game Management Areas (State land).

📅 Know When You Can Leave Your Stand
Treestands used for deer or turkey hunting may be left on State land beginning 7 days before the start of the applicable hunting season and must be removed no later than 7 days after the final day of that open season.

🌲 A little planning can save you a headache! Before putting up a stand on public land, make sure it is properly tagged and that you are within the allowed timeframe.

Good luck this hunting season, and as always — know the regulations before you head into the field! 🦃🦌

📍 Need help with your Iowa DNR Customer Identification Number or hunting licenses? The County Recorder’s Office can help with many DNR licensing needs.

10/07/2026

Take a look at this job opportunity at the Highway Department! Please contact the highway department for any questions you may have.

09/29/2026

Due to office staff size, we cannot do passports. But, the Sigourney Post Office does do them!

✈️ Post 6: Passports

Planning a trip outside the United States? ✈️🌎

Did you know that some Iowa County Recorder’s Offices process passport applications? Not every Recorder’s Office offers this service, and passport photo services aren’t available at every location either.

For those offices that do offer passport services, we help customers complete their applications accurately and process their paperwork so it can be submitted properly and in a timely manner.

We know that getting a passport is often part of planning a much bigger adventure, and the last thing you want is a paperwork mistake to cause unnecessary delays.

If you’re getting ready for an upcoming trip, check with your local Recorder’s Office to see what passport services they offer and what you’ll need to bring with you.

A little preparation now can save a lot of stress later! ✈️📸

09/29/2026

Post 7: Military Documents

One of the responsibilities of the County Recorder’s Office that you may not think about is recording military discharge papers for our veterans.🇺🇸

These documents can become incredibly important long after a veteran leaves the military.

Recorded military documents are accessed over the years by several county offices, including:

🇺🇸Veterans Affairs — for claims and benefits
🚗 Treasurer’s Office — for veteran designation on driver’s licenses
🏡 Assessor’s Office — for property tax benefits

And because of the importance of these records, we do not charge veterans to record their military discharge papers or to receive copies of those recordings.

Our office is proud to provide this service to those who have served our country.

To all of our veterans: thank you for your service and sacrifice. ❤️