Supervisors approve sharing attorney services with Hardin County

In light of a recent departure and a serious illness in the Hardin County Attorney’s office, Grundy Center-based Heronimus, Schmidt, Allen, Schroeder and Geer will provide its services on an interim basis—mostly out of its Iowa Falls branch.
           
“I don’t anticipate that it will have any, at least de minimis, impact in Grundy County,” County Attorney Erika Allen said during Monday morning’s board of supervisors meeting. “It’s anticipated to be temporary.”
           
Hardin County Attorney Rick Dunn is currently recovering from an illness related to cancer, and former assistant county attorney Lucas Sterbick left after just seven months to take a position in Story County, where he resides. Currently, Denise Patters is the only full-time prosecuting attorney at the courthouse in Eldora, and Taylor Nederhoff of HSA’s Iowa Falls office is expected to take on most of the work that arises from the new arrangement.
           
According to Allen, rural counties are struggling to find young prosecutors, and the sharing agreement will likely last at least four to six months. A motion to accept the proposal carried by a 4-0 vote (Barb Smith was absent).
           
“On behalf of County Attorney Dunn, thank you,” Allen said. 
 
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