CHARLES CITY, IA - "That voting software you're using, that was done by Cerro Gordo County," said County Supervisor Bob Amosson about the new precinct mapping software.
For most North Iowa county leaders, 2009 will be remembered as a fairly good year, and one of big challenges.
Now it's time to take stock of the lessons learned and use them to shape the future.
On Thursday morning, supervisors from across the region met in Charles City to talk about what worked, and what just didn’t.
"This is a chance for them to share some of the things they are doing locally, and more effectively manage their governments," said Bill Peterson from the IA State Association of Counties.
Projects like the Clear Lake dredging and new voting software top Cerro Gordo's points of pride, leaders in Worth present the success of new wind farms, and Mitchell County presents their struggles with a collapsed bridge.
Even as they discuss and learn from the past, an issue from the heart of the state is hot on the minds throughout this room.
"the future fiscal conditions that they're going to have," said Peterson.
"When the Governor orders an across the board, 10% cut, that, frankly, effects the money that comes to the counties for their property tax credits," said Senator Merlin Bartz, (R) Grafton.
With state budget cuts looming, and no end to tight fiscal times in site, many local leaders are concerned for the future.
"It's important to note that the local government and the state government, in many respects, operate in conjunction with each other," said Bartz.
That’s leaving them with a lot to reflect on in the New Year.
Senator Bartz was one of several state legislators on site for Thursday's discussion; he says he'll take the local ideas and concerns to Des Moines with him in January.
For now though, leaders walk away with a lot of positives to learn from, and some big challenges ahead.
Some county supervisors are looking at solutions ranging from wage cuts, to staff reduction in order to combat the governor's cuts.
