ALTOONA, IA (January 11, 2022) – Five Polk County residents were elected to the Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach Polk County Council in the November 8, 2022 general election. They include Denise Veldhuizen, Runnells; Rich Degner, Ankeny; Emma Runde, Des Moines, Bart Weldon, Maxwell; and Dennis Goering, Polk City. As elected officials, the Polk County Extension Council is the governing body of ISU Extension and Outreach. The nine-member county extension council are elected to comply with Iowa law, and help hire Polk County staff, manage the county extension budget, and determine local programs and educational opportunities.

Current members of the Polk County Extension Council, that are amid their four-year term, include Kasey Peters, West Des Moines; Julie McGonegle, Urbandale; Joe Gonzalez, Des Moines; and Deb Brewer-Cotlar, Des Moines.

During the January 5, 2023, organizational meeting, four officers were announced.

• Chairperson: Peters has been elected as the Polk County Extension Council chairperson. Peters will preside at all meetings of the county extension council, have authority to call special meetings and perform duties as performed and exercised by a chairperson of a board of directors of a corporation. 
• Vice chairperson: Goering will serve as vice chairperson. 
• Secretary: Runde will be the Extension Council secretary and has the responsibility of keeping the minutes of all county extension council meetings and signing required papers for the council.
• Treasurer: The council reelected Degner as the county extension council treasurer. The treasurer has charge of all of the funds of the county extension council; receives, deposits, pays and disburses. The treasurer ensures an accurate record of receipts and disbursements and submits reports to the county extension council.

In partnership with ISU Extension and Outreach, the Polk County Extension Council supports educational opportunities that bring university resources to meet the needs of the county and region. Recent and upcoming local Polk County extension programs include 4-H and Youth Development programs, Polk County Master Gardeners, Master Conservationists, ¡Salir Adelante! Pathways for our Future, Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14, Our Bookshelf, Healthy Baby Showers and many other programs that target all audiences regardless of age, ability, or background.

The Polk County extension office is located at 1625 Adventureland Drive in Altoona. To learn more about ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/polk.

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About Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Polk County 
Since 1916 ISU Extension and Outreach Polk County has served its residents by connecting them to research and resources developed by Iowa State University. Knowledge and programs offered through the ISU Extension and Outreach, Polk County office have been specifically tailored to represent, enhance, and meet the needs of Polk County residents and community. For 2023 ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County will focus on local issues including: K-12 youth outreach, wellbeing, nutrition, and community development. ISU Extension and Outreach, Polk County is a part of a 99-county campus backed by research to serve all Iowans to create a strong Iowa.