(DES MOINES) - Governor Terry E. Branstad today announced appointments to Iowa's boards and commissions.

The following individuals' appointments are effective Dec. 8, 2015, and are subject to Iowa Senate confirmation:

Commission on Tobacco Use Prevention and Control

George Belitsos, Ames

The following individuals' appointments are effective Dec. 8, 2015, and are NOT subject to Iowa Senate confirmation:

Armory Board

Chad Stone, Des Moines

Iowa Council for Early ACCESS

Dr. Ryan Allen, Sioux City

Stephanie Peters, Des Moines

Patrick Judkins, Long Grove

Juvenile Justice Advisory Council

Trevor Lynn, Brighton

Vocational Rehabilitation Council

Brian Dennis, Des Moines

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner took action today on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 1285

An Act Concerning Employment

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate, except that changes to Sections 602 and 611 of the Unemployment Insurance Act take effect January 3, 2016

Bill No.: HB 1365

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

Bill No.: HB 3213 

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

Market leading law enforcement helicopter is now assembled in Mississippi and completions performed in Texas

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (November 30, 2015) - Airbus Helicopters Inc. has delivered the first H125 AStar helicopter produced on its new U.S. final assembly line to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The new aircraft is the first fully assembled on the final assembly line at the company's helicopter production plant in Columbus, Miss. The completion work, including a state-of-the-art law enforcement communications and surveillance package, was performed in Grand Prairie, Texas.

"This is an important moment for Airbus Helicopters Inc. as we continue to strengthen our presence in the U.S. and North American markets. The H125, the best-selling high-performance single-engine helicopter, is now made in the U.S.A.," said Chris Emerson, President of Airbus Helicopters Inc. and Head of the North America Region.

The of the H125 to the Ohio State Highway Patrol marks the culmination of a process that began in March 2014 with the announcement by Airbus Helicopters that it would locate an H125 final assembly line in the Columbus plant to serve the U.S. market. It is the first Airbus Helicopters civil model fully assembled in the U.S. from parts sourced globally.

Airbus Helicopters Inc.'s Columbus plant has produced the U.S. Army's UH-72A Lakota helicopter since 2006, with more than 350 aircraft delivered on time and on budget.

The H125 (formerly AS350 B3e) is the latest version of Airbus Helicopters long-running AStar series of helicopters. The top selling helicopter in its class, the AStar is a favorite of U.S. law enforcement agencies because of its power and maneuverability, load carrying capacity and hot-and-high performance.

"Our new H125 will give us increased power and useful load, along with additional safety features," said Captain Randy Boggs of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Aviation Section.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol currently operates two earlier model AS350 B2 AStar helicopters to conduct a wide variety of law enforcement missions across the state, including patrol, aerial searches with thermal imagers, photo missions and marijuana eradication. The agency has been operating AStars for over 20 years to protect and serve the citizens of Ohio.

The H125 is equipped with a high-tech law enforcement equipment package including a Wescam MX-10 thermal imager and Spectrolab SX-16 searchlight. Its navigation and communications system include the Garmin G500H glass cockpit and Aerocomputers moving map system.

"With the addition of their new H125, the Ohio State Highway Patrol gains a significant increase in technology and capability for the agency," said Ed Van Winkle, Senior Sales Manager for Airborne Law Enforcement for Airbus Helicopters Inc. "The modern mission equipment suite and additional power and safety features of the H125 will serve the OSHP well for many years to come."

Airbus Helicopters' AS350-series aircraft are the most widely purchased helicopters by U.S. law enforcement agencies. More than 220 are in use nationwide with 43 different law enforcement agencies, 75 of them delivered in the last five years.

The AStar is known for its performance, reliability and multi-mission flexibility. The H125 features dual hydraulics, dual channel engine FADEC, 30-minute take-off power and advanced glass-panel cockpit displays. With a Turbomeca Arriel 2D engine, the H125 boasts a significant power reserve, along with unmatched tail rotor authority and high altitude and hot weather performance. The H125 is the ideal platform for a wide variety of law enforcement missions in varied operating environments.

Airbus Helicopters Inc. began light assembly, test flight and certification of AS350 B2 and AS350 B3 AStars at its Columbus facility in 2005. Full final assembly of the H125 began in late 2014 after a contingent of the Mississippi plant's managers and lead assemblers underwent weeks of training at Airbus Helicopters headquarters in Marignane, France.

About Airbus Helicopters Inc.

Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the U.S. affiliate of Airbus Helicopters, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world, and a subsidiary of the Airbus Group. Airbus Helicopters Inc. is a manufacturer, markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and parapublic helicopters offered in the U.S. The product line represents the industry's most cost-effective, technologically-advanced

helicopters serving all markets and missions. The company's headquarters and main facility are in Grand Prairie, Texas with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, Miss.

For more information please contact:

Bob Cox

Senior Manager, Communications and Media Relations

Tel: 972-641-3525

Cell: 972-213-2038

bob.cox@airbus.com

On the web: www.airbushelicoptersinc.com

Scott County Administrator, Dee F. Bruemmer discussed her retirement plans with the Board of Supervisors at their last regular meeting. Ms. Bruemmer was appointed County Administrator in August of 2008 after serving 27 years as an assistant administrator in the City of Davenport. She plans to leave the County in the spring.

County Chairman Sunderbruch, along with several board members, recognized the significant accomplishments of Ms. Bruemmer during her tenure at the county and the role she has played in making the county financially sound now and in the future. The Moody's Investor Services upgrade to Aa1 this month is a validation of the hard work that has been done to create the necessary fund balances and capital improvement plans that will allow the County to continue to have one of the lowest county property tax per capita in the state. Only nine counties have a lower per capita amount.

Over the seven years of Ms. Bruemmer's tenure, the County has implemented several cost savings measures to assure financial success. She introduced LEAN to the organization, which lead to operational savings in many of the departments, and skill development, to continue to find ways to become more efficient. These new ways of doing business saved the county over $1.5 million in the first year and has contributed ever since to increasing the fund balance to over 20%.

To help offset the revenue losses due to the 2008-2010 recession Ms. Bruemmer recommended the county become self-insured and develop a strong wellness program which has had great results. Since 2009 the county health insurance cost has increased an averaged 2% per year a rare result private or public sector. One of the more innovative ideas she recommended was insuring inmates to reduce medical costs in the jail.

In addition, she led the County in developing an IT masterplan that resulted in new financial software for better performance management and a complete replacement of the County's hardware and software. Additionally, a facilities masterplan was completed which included $8 million of courthouse renovations to upgrade courtrooms and security; expansion of the secondary road facility to combine the workforce and bring preventive maintenance of vehicles in house; and finally a new patrol facility located near Highway 61 and I-80. All of these projects are funded without bonding. Supervisor Hancock, who was Chair at the time when Ms. Bruemmer was hired, recognized her significant knowledge of local government and her ability to collaborate with other jurisdictions and agencies. "The County has benefited because of her breadth of knowledge and skills and we only hope that she continues to serve our community in her retirement."

Supervisor Earnhardt, who worked closely with Ms. Bruemmer in the formation of the mental health region and in securing funding from the state for mental health services, stated that "Dee is a professional who has worked exceptionally hard to satisfy the needs of the County."

Supervisor Brinson Kinzer stated "I have worked with Dee only a short period of time but have been impressed with her work and the excellent job she has done for the County. I made a friend and I will miss her leadership."

In reviewing her time working with Ms. Bruemmer, Supervisor Diane Holst added, "I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with someone so well versed in the operations of our county, and I appreciate her sharing her knowledge."

The Board of Supervisors plans on discussing the process to replace Ms. Bruemmer at their next Committee of the Whole Meeting on December 1, 2015. Please contact Mary Thee, Assistant County Administrator/HR Director for any  questions at 563-326-8767.