Release from Story County
Nevada, Iowa — Story County has released its Climate Resilience and Sustainability Plan for Government Operations, a data-driven roadmap to help county facilities and services remain safe, reliable, and cost-effective as extreme weather risks evolve across central Iowa. The plan outlines practical steps to protect critical infrastructure, maintain continuity of operations, and prioritize investments through 2050.
“Story County residents rely on our buildings, fleets, and staff every day—during storms, heat waves, and emergencies,” said Joby Brogden, Director of Facilities Management. “This plan helps us prepare for those realities, reduce long-term risks, and ensure we are using taxpayer dollars wisely while keeping essential services running when they’re needed most.”
Plan Highlights
Story County serves nearly 100,000 residents across 15 incorporated communities, delivering services through 20 government offices and departments. Informed by local experience—including historic flooding and the 2020 derecho—the plan focuses on the county’s highest operational risks and the most cost-effective opportunities to reduce long-term costs.
- Storm reports in Story County have increased 23% over the last three decades.
- Key risks expected to intensify through mid-century include extreme heat, severe storms, flooding, and air quality events.
- County operational emissions are driven primarily by vehicles (48%) and buildings (36%), creating major opportunities for cost-effective improvements.
- High-priority resilience actions include backup power at critical facilities; cooling stations and internal safe rooms; strengthened emergency communications and continuity planning; and targeted facility upgrades for flooding, drought, and utility interruptions.
- Cost-saving sustainability actions include solar arrays at the Human Services Center and Justice Center; expanding energy efficiency; and transitioning portions of the fleet to hybrid and more efficient vehicles.
- The plan sets a target to reduce county operational greenhouse gas emissions 22.5% by 2030, with a long-term goal of net-zero emissions for buildings by 2050.
Many recommended actions are designed to pay for themselves over time through reduced energy use, avoided emergency repairs, and improved operational reliability.
“This plan is about being prepared,” said Brogden. “By acting now, we reduce risk, protect county assets, and avoid more expensive emergency fixes down the road.”
Learn More
The full Story County Climate Resilience and Sustainability Plan is available online at https://www.storycountyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18050/Final-Climate-Resilience-and-Sustainability-Plan. Residents are encouraged to explore the plan and learn how these investments support a resilient, reliable, and Story County–strong future.