Per the Board of Supervisors all County buildings will close to the public effective 11-18-2020. The board is also requiring masks to be worn in all county buildings by all employees and public 100% of the time you are here.
News & Information
Courthouse/County Building access changes
November 18th, 2020Sheriff’s Office/Law Center access changes
November 18th, 2020Press Release from Wapello County Sheriff’s Office
Effective November 18, 2020 the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office is implementing some temporary changes in an effort to reduce some of the risks associated with COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
These will be the same or similar changes that were implemented in March of 2020 when the Coronavirus started.
This is being done in an effort to protect those we serve as well as our dedicated staff.
These are the precautionary measures we are taking:
•Corrections Division: We have a heightened intake screening process and are taking additional sanitary precautions. The Wapello County Jail has SUSPENDED all jail visitation until further notice, other than attorney visits.
•Patrol Division: Our Deputies are still here to serve you and will still be available 24/7. We are however encouraging them to take additional precautions to reduce the risk potential. This may include taking reports by telephone when circumstances allow. Also Deputies are encouraged to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet, and wearing a mask when talking to anyone in public if possible.
•Concealed Handgun Licensing: We have the forms available on line at http://wapellocounty.org/departments/sherif-and-jail/ . A person can print off the forms whether it is a new application for permit to carry, a renewal, or a Permit to Acquire at their residence and fill them out. They can be mailed in to the Sheriff’s Office at 330 West Second Street, Ottumwa, Iowa 52501. Also please include a colored copy of your identification (Driver’s License), copy of your training and check or money order. The prices for each will also be included on the web site. You may also go to Iowa Department of Public Safety and print out the forms.
•Limited Access to Law Center: Wapello County Sheriff’s Office has limited access to the Wapello County Law Enforcement Center. Members of the public are encouraged to call in to the Sheriff’s Office first before stopping in (641) 684-4350 or Ottumwa Police Dept. (641) 683-0661. If the public stops by limited access is in place for the protection of both departments staff. The public doors will remain unlocked to gain access to the lobby area, from there the doors to jail visitation and the administrative offices will be locked. There are phones in the lobby entry area that can be picked up and used to contact the dispatcher, administration offices and jail.
If anyone from the public needs a copy of an accident or incident report they can contact the department they are needing it from and a copy can be emailed, faxed and or mailed to you.
We continue to work with state and local officials regarding this issue. We will continue to monitor the situation and the temporary changes may be modified.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages the community to remain calm and to follow the advice of official sources such as Wapello County Board of Supervisors, City of Ottumwa, Wapello County Emergency Management, Wapello County Public Health, Iowa Dept. of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control on what preventative measures you can take.
Respectfully,
Sheriff Don Phillips
New Panic Alarm System
June 1st, 2020PRESS RELEASE
June 1, 2020
From: Sheriff Don Phillips
Approximately one year ago the Wapello County Safety Committee was made aware of faults being discovered in the outdated panic alarm system at the Wapello County Courthouse. The system that was in place had been effective for many years, but was now starting to become faulty as technology is ever increasing. When conducting monthly tests on the system is was discovered that essential components were malfunctioning, ultimately causing the system to be unreliable. In addition to the system being unreliable it was also known that the equipment to sound the panic alarms were positioned in limited places around the courthouse. This was also a concern to the Wapello County Safety Committee.
The Wapello County Safety Committee placed the panic alarm system on the agenda and began seeking input on what avenues would need to be addressed to ensure the proper functioning of the system. They discovered that the old system would require a great financial burden to repair so they inquired with surrounding counties about what system they were utilizing. They discovered a new system called WavePlus from SecureTech Systems was a more effective system and that surrounding counties had found it to be user friendly and reliable.
In May (2020) the Wapello County Board of Supervisors, Wapello County Auditor’s Office, Wapello County IT Department, and the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office collaborated and installed the new and advanced WavePlus system at the courthouse as well as other Wapello County offices. The installation of the new system provided each individual office with the equipment needed to active the alarm from their respected individual offices. In addition to the alarm being quicker to active the alarm now electronically sends the alarm to the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office at a much greater speed; ultimately a quicker response time. When the alarm is activated by a staff member it broadcasts a recorded message over the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office radio frequency signaling trouble. When the recorded message is broadcast all Deputies hear it and immediately know of the alarm and what respected office is in need of assistance.
In doing the research on this project the Wapello County Safety Committee knew the project would come with a heavy financial burden, even though it was needed. A committee member prevented the tax payers from having to burden the whole cost by preparing and applying for a grant to the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation. The Foundation approved of the grant and awarded Wapello County with $10,000 which covered part of the cost of this project. This project would not have came to fruition without the assistance of the Foundation.
In speaking with Wapello County Board of Supervisor Chairperson Brian Morgan, Wapello County Auditor Kelly Spurgeon, and Wapello County Sheriff Don Phillips they expressed their gratitude to the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation for the funding received for this project that they firmly believe will provide a safer environment for courthouse staff, visitors, and Wapello County citizens for many years to come.
Immediate Media Release, March 27, 2020 (COVID-19)
March 27th, 2020At 1:41 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2020, a local Wapello County business has reported a positive case of COVID-19 to Wapello County officials. The individual, who does not live in Wapello County, is receiving appropriate medical care. The business is proactively working with county leaders, healthcare partners, and county emergency management to ensure the health and safety of Wapello County residents.
Please continue to follow social distancing and nonessential travel recommendations. If you are sick, stay home. Wash your hands frequently. Cover coughs and sneezes and sanitize surfaces. If you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, call a healthcare provider before visiting an office. If your symptoms are severe, call 911.
We urge residents to remain calm and assure the public that county leaders will provide more information as it becomes available.
Click to view PRESS DOCUMENT
-Wapello County Emergency Management and Wapello County Public Health
Recorder Suspends Passport Services
March 18th, 2020The Wapello County Recorder’s office has temporarily suspended Passport Services due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak. Customers are being asked to call the office at 641-683-0045 before coming in. There are several things we can do over the phone or through the mail. If customers are coming to the courthouse they are being asked to enter one at a time.
Absentee Voting in the Primary Pushed in Light to Health Concerns
March 18th, 2020Wapello County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Kelly Spurgeon is encouraging those wishing to vote in the June 2 Primary Election to vote absentee by mail due to the recent concerns with coronavirus and COVID-19.
“I am respectfully asking our voters to vote absentee by mail for the June Primary Election after meeting with public health officials, other county auditors around Iowa and with staff from the Secretary of State’s office,” Spurgeon said. “We are making this push for the safety of our voters and polling location workers.”
Spurgeon said polling locations will be open for voting on June 2, however she anticipates many will be combined creating fewer polling locations than normal for a Primary Election.
“We aren’t sure what this situation will be when Election Day gets here,” Spurgeon explained. “We hope all of our precinct election officials will be able to work that day, but we just don’t know at this point so we will reduce the number of polling locations that we will need to staff.”
Spurgeon said it has not yet been determined which polling locations will be combined. She said that will be announced soon.
Absentee ballots must be requested in writing. Forms are available on the Wapello County Auditor’s Web site HERE or you can write on a regular piece of paper your name, address, mailing address if different than your home address, party affiliation, sign and date and send to the Auditor’s office by mail. Absentee ballot requests may also be obtained by calling the Wapello County Auditor’s Office and requesting one be sent. The Wapello County Auditor’s Office phone number is 641-683-0020. Requests may be submitted now.
Absentee requests to vote by mail must be received in the Auditor’s Office by 5 p.m. May 22.
Voters are reminded that for the Primary Election they must choose a political party on the request form in order to receive the correct ballot.
Absentee voters are also reminded they will need to provide a personal identification number (PIN) when voting absentee either in person or by mail. That PIN will most likely be your Iowa driver’s license number or your Iowa non-operator’s ID number. If a voter does not have either of those, the voter should have been sent a PIN in December from the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office.
Please note: We can’t accept absentee ballot requests for the General Election until July 6, 2020.
2020 Election Information
March 16th, 2020PRIMARY ELECTION – JUNE 2, 2020 (POLLS ARE OPEN FROM 7:00 A.M. UNTIL 9:00 P.M.)
May 4, 2020: Absentee ballots may be mailed or voted in the auditor’s office
May 22, 2020 by 5 p.m. Voter Pre-Registration Deadline & deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed. (written absentee request must be received in auditor’s office)
May 30, 2020: auditor’s office open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
June 1, 2020: Last day to request and vote an absentee ballot in-person
GENERAL ELECTION – NOVEMBER 3, 2020 (POLLS ARE OPEN FROM 7:00 A.M. UNTIL 9:00 P.M.)
July 6, 2020: Absentee Ballot Request Start Date
October 5, 2020: Absentee ballots may be mailed or voted in the auditor’s office
October 24, 2020 by 5 p.m. Voter Pre-Registration Deadline & deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed. (written absentee request must be received in auditor’s office)
October 31, 2020: auditor’s office open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
November 2, 2020: : Last day to request and vote an absentee ballot in-person
**OFFICE HOURS ARE FROM 8:00 A.M. UNTIL 4:30 P.M. UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE
2020 County Offices Up for Election
March 16th, 2020The following County Offices are up for election in 2020: Supervisor, Auditor, Sheriff, Soil & Water Commissioners, Agricultural Extension Council and township offices.
County Level Offices (Partisan Candidates for June Primary): Monday, March 2, 2020 – Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Filing dates for said offices are as follows:
– County Level Offices (NPPO and Nominated by Petition): Monday, March 2, 2020 – Friday, March 20, 2020
– Township Trustee: Monday, March 2, 2020 – Friday, March 20, 2020
– Soil and Water Conservation Board: Monday, March 2, 2020 – Friday, March 20, 2020
– County Agricultural Extension: No Start Date – Wednesday, August 26, 2020
The filing deadline is 5:00 p.m. on the last day of filing period outlined above.
Candidate nomination papers are available on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website
and may be obtained at the county auditor’s office. Check with the auditor’s office for signature requirements.
Covid-19 Corona Virus Information
March 13th, 2020
Bill of Sale required for transferring vehicle titles beginning February 2020
January 14th, 2020Effective February 1, 2020, the Wapello County Treasurer’s Office will require customers to provide a bill of sale when transferring titles to motor vehicles between private parties. A bill of sale or purchase agreement is already required for vehicles purchased from a dealership. Below is a complete explanation and a printable Bill of Sale.