Paid for by the taxpayers in...

Polk County:

Amount: $114.32
To: Gregory Schmunk, Polk County Medical Examiner
For: Monthly cell phone bill for Susan Schmunk, including $24.37 in roaming charges while calling in Australia on Sept. 24 and 25
Paid: Nov. 15

Amount: $522.28
To: John Sarcone, Polk County District Attorney
For: Reimbursement for travel to Chicago from Nov. 3-5 for a meeting of the National District Attorneys Association, including $183.49 per night at the Hyatt Regency, $22.57 for a fax charge on Nov. 3, and $25 for dinner on Nov. 3
Paid: Nov. 15

Amount: $260,388.84
To: Durrant
For: Architectural services regarding the design of the new Polk County Jail, rendered during the months of September and October
Paid: Nov. 15

Amount: $8,998.35
To: Storey Kenworthy
For: 14 "special bar stools without arms" for Wells Fargo Arena, including $537 for 11 swaths of curry-colored fabric for said bar stools
Paid: Nov. 8

Amount: $911.22
To: Gary Young, Polk County Air Quality
For: Reimbursement of expenses for travel to Washington from Oct. 22-27 for a meeting of the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators and Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials, including four nights at The Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City at $183.02 per night, $19.23 for a salmon lunch at the Smithsonian Institution on Oct. 22 and $50 reimbursement for a $122.25 dinner for two at the 701 Pennsylvania Avenue restaurant on Oct. 23
Paid: Nov. 8

Amount: $100
To: Blockbuster Video
For: Fee to refill movie account for the Polk County Youth Shelter and rental of "Fat Albert" and "Sleepover"
Paid: Nov. 15

Amount: $209
To: 2nd Wind Exercise Equipment
For: Repair of a Tex-Trix 3000 stair stepper billed to the Polk County Sheriff's Office
Paid: Nov. 8

Amount: $399
To: Franklin Convey
For: Registration fee for LeAnne Brown - Office Specialist in the Polk County Community and Family Services department - to attend a one-day workshop at the Embassy Suites on Jan. 19 titled "Seven Habits Fundamentals: Proven Principles for Life-Changing Results"
Paid: Nov. 8

Amount: $302.30
To: David Knight, Sheriff's Office
For: Travel expenses for travel to Jacksonville, Fla., for software training from Oct. 16-20, including a $35.79 dinner for two at Tony Roma's on Oct. 17 consisting of $22 for a 12-ounce New York Strip
Paid: Nov. 8

Amount: $161
To: Palmer's Deli and Market
For: 20 box lunches for a Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee meeting on Oct. 19 (attended by 13 people according to the meeting sign-in sheet)
Paid: Nov. 8

Amount: $1,650.81
To: Hansen Company Inc.
For: Installation of tables and chairs at the Iowa Events Center, including $68.51 for materials and $1,366.98 for 34 hours of labor
Paid: Nov. 15

Amount: $1,885
To: Americans for Effective Law Enforcement Legal Center
For: Registration fees for Leesa Shoemaker, Michael O'Meara and Donna Brooks to attend the "Lethal and Less Lethal Force Workshop" In Las Vegas from Feb. 13-15. Not included in the above figure, the airfare will cost an additional $715.20 for each participant, and lodging at the Alexis Park Resort for Shoemaker and Brooks will add another $1,037.68.
Paid: Nov. 8

Amount: $81.18
To: Oriental Trading Company
For: Meeting and party supplies for senior services, including "snowman juggling peppermint candy," "curly beard Santa" and "crashing witch" craft kits
Paid: Nov. 8

Amount: $544.76
To: Ahlers and Cooney PC
For: Copying fees for legal work in the Diaz Construction Company, Inc. v. Polk County case regarding work at the Iowa Events Center
Paid: Nov. 8

Who's giving to:

Michael Kiernan
Des Moines City Councilmember
William C. Knapp $4,000
James Conlin $2,000
Ralph Gillotti $1,000
Gerald Crawford $1,000
Ed Skinner $1,000
Jack Hatch $500
Denny Elwell $500

Expense Report:

Kevin Techau, director of the Iowa Department of Public Safety

June 15: Travel to Washington for a "meeting with congressional delegation regarding criminal justice programs"
Airfare: $360.80
Lodging: $175.19 (one night)
Parking: $15
Phone: $3

July 9- Aug.4: Travel to Maui, Hawaii, for a conference of the Western Attorneys General (paid for by gaming funds through the Department of Inspections and Appeals)
Airfare: $871.14
Registration: $600
Lodging: $1,383.78
Rental car: $252.21
Airport parking: $69

Travel

Des Moines City Councilman Tom Vlassis was recently approved to travel to Charlotte, N.C., from Dec. 6-11 for the National League of Cities' Annual Congress. The "Teaming up for Tomorrow" event will include a host of workshops, like "Can Blogs Improve Your Constituent Communications?" and networking events, including an "ecumenical prayer breakfast." Vlassis' (the city's representative to the NLC) travel will cost $1,269.

Salaries and such

In addition to a $925,000 base salary, Iowa State University men's football coach Dan McCarney cashed in on a $100,000 bonus after the Cyclones' win over Colorado and could score another $100,000 with a win over Kansas this weekend.

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