WINTERSET, Iowa – New details about how the Madison County Treasurer’s Office was allegedly being run are emerging after its top administrator was arrested on Friday. Officials for the City of Winterset claim the county treasurer’s office deposited hundreds of thousands of dollars into the city’s bank account through multiple erroneous transitions over several years.

37-year-old Amanda DeVos is facing multiple charges including felonious misconduct in office, tampering with records, fraudulent practice in the third degree, and third-degree theft, following an investigation by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

In a Facebook post, Sheriff Jason Barnes did not elaborate on what specifically led to the charges. But said they stemmed from her duties as Madison County Treasurer, and that additional charges are pending. A statement on behalf of the City of Winterset stated that the city was not involved in the criminal investigation surrounding DeVos and that erroneously deposited funds into the city’s account were “unrelated to the charges and indictments.”

In a statement, State Auditor Rob Sand’s office wrote, “We are aware of multiple issues in Madison County and have been working with local officials on appropriate courses of action.”

On Saturday, a representative from the City of Winterset confirmed to WHO 13 that the city had erroneously received more than a quarter of a million dollars in a series of financial deposits that were supposed to go to other municipalities, including the City of Patterson, the City of West Des Moines, and Madison County.

The money was comprised of “Tax Increment Financing funds” according to a news release emailed by City Administrator Drew Barden.

TIFs are a way to finance urban renewal, according to the Iowa Department of Management. According to Iowa Code, urban renewal includes “public improvements such as streets, sewers, sidewalks, and other infrastructure related to residential, commercial, or industrial development; to redevelop slum or blighted areas; to fund private economic development; and to finance construction of housing and residential development, including low and moderate-income housing.”

“Between the dates of October 16th, 2024, and January 15th, 2025, the Madison County Treasurer made monthly erroneous deposits of Tax Increment Financing funds to the City of Winterset’s account totaling $258,081.85,” stated the release.

The first error was reportedly noticed within a week with the City Finance Officer notifying the Madison County Treasurer in writing to request the removal of the funds. This measure was taken every month thereafter according to the release. However, apparently no action was taken and the issues were reportedly not corrected.

As an end-of-the-year deadline approached to disperse the TIF funds, the city reportedly brought the issue to the direct attention of Madison County Board of Supervisors Diane Fitch,
Phil Clifton, and Heather Stancil. During the third week of December, the city also provided documents that detailed the erroneous deposits to the Madison County Treasurer, the Madison County Auditor, and the complete Board of Supervisors, said the release.

When no action had been taken by January 6, the Winterset City Council voted unanimously to rectify the issue on its own and directed an administrator to begin to notify the City of Patterson and the City of West Des Moines about the situation surrounding funds owed to them, according to the release.

The funds reportedly had still not been removed by the Madison County Treasurer’s Office on January 21, which prompted the Winterset City Administrator to bring a Cashier’s Check from the City of Winterset to the Madison County Treasurer in the full amount.

The Cashier’s Check had not been deposited when DeVos was arrested on January 31, according to the release.

The release also stated that was not the first time something like this had happened. On October 13, 2023, $95,565.44 in TIF funds were allegedly deposited erroneously by the Madison County Treasurer. DeVos was elected to the position that same year, according to the Des Moines Register.

In both cases, the statement said the city worked quickly to resolve the matter through the only avenues allowed by Iowa law.

“City officials emphasize that this is not a cause for concern for the City of Winterset nor
does it reflect any financial mismanagement by the City. The City’s sole objective has been
to ensure the proper return of erroneously deposited Tax Increment Financing Funds to the
rightful account and uphold responsible financial stewardship.”