Ask CITYVIEW

Why does Polk County send inmates to other county jails?

One county jail might send inmates to another for a number of reasons. The most common ones are for court appearances, as the inmate may have court hearings or other legal proceedings in a different county. Another reason is overcrowding, which speaks for itself. Safety or security concerns also come into play. Inmates may need to be moved if they are a threat to others or themselves or are in need of special housing. Medical or mental health needs are factors, too. If one jail cannot provide inmates with adequate mental health care, they may be sent to different facilities that can match those needs.

Overcrowding is the main concern for Polk County Jail. In a response to a public records request, we were told, “The Polk County Jail is diligent in the daily management of this process and responds to the inmate population demand as needed, by reducing or increasing the out-of-county shuffle process as necessary. We averaged 76 inmates out of county over fiscal 2023/2024 and spent $1,122,499 for out-of-county expenses based on rates between $50-65 per day. The highest monthly expense was $139,360.”

How many farms are in Polk County?

Farm statistics are compiled by the USDA and the National Agricultural Statistics Service Upper Midwest Regional Office and released in an annual bulletin each year. The 2022 report showed there are 768 farms in Polk County, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. That is a +2% change from the last census in 2017. However, the amount of land acres decreased by 7%, and the average size of a farm in acres decreased 9%. According to the 2023 Iowa Agricultural Stats report, Polk County ranks 80th in corn for grain and 84th in soybeans as compared to the rest of the counties in the state. 

Where in Des Moines can I drop off mixed recycling?

The Metro Waste Authority has a detailed map showing where different types of recycling can be dropped off around Des Moines. You can find it at www.mwatoday.com/locations/recycling-drop-off. A few locations are available where cardboard or glass can be dropped off within Des Moines but not mixed-use. The next closest place is the Metro Northwest Transfer Station, 4105 S.W. Beisser Drive in Grimes. 

What are the final attendance totals from the Iowa State Fair?

“Fair Fever” was the theme this year, and that appeared to ring true, thanks in large part to favorable weather. The 2024 Iowa State Fair was historic in terms of attendance, smashing several records throughout the 11-day event. According to officials, total attendance was 1,182,682, which is 12,307 more than the previous record of 1,170,375 in 2019. The record-setting event had nearly 50,000 more attendees than in 2023. ♦