Polk County’s HR director Jim Nahas was fired for his handling of an alleged sexual harassment claim against supervisor Matt McCoy, as first reported this week by CityView.

• McCoy told Axios Thursday that the accusation against him is false and that Nahas’s termination is politically motivated.

Why it matters: The situation raises serious questions about whether a toxic, hostile work environment exists in the highest ranks of our county government.

Details: A female Polk County employee said she heard McCoy describe her in physically threatening, vulgar and sexually demoralizing terms during an October meeting that Nahas attended, according to the Jan. 5 termination letter obtained by Axios.

• Nahas was evasive or dishonest on many occasions during an investigation into the incident, according to the letter written by county administrator John Norris.
• Nahas initially dismissed McCoy's comments that allegedly included a crude reference to the woman's anatomy by saying "that is how all the supervisors speak," according to the letter.
• Angela Connolly, the board’s chairperson, told Jason she is unable to comment beyond stating the conclusion of Nahas's termination letter: That harassment complaint protocols were not followed.

What's next: A lawsuit will "soon" be filed on behalf of Nahas "to clear his good name," attorney Nick Mauro told Jason.

• The investigation into the incident was completed but its conclusions have not yet been provided to us.

What they’re saying: The people in the meeting have denied hearing the comment and the woman who filed the complaint allegedly heard it from outside the room, McCoy told Jason.

"For me, these accusations are a personal embarrassment. They would love to see me defeated in the next election cycle and this is just to batter me up. That’s what I think this is really about."

The other side: McCoy's accuser referred comment to her attorney, who said he was still conferring with his client and might offer a response later.

Between the lines: Other allegations have surfaced that suggest a hostile work environment.

• McCoy alleged Thursday that another supervisor used a homophobic slur to reference him during a separate incident.
• That supervisor did not return Jason's request for comment.

Polk Supervisor Matt McCoy has prevailed against multiple previous allegations of wrongdoing that he also said were politically motivated.

• A federal jury found him not guilty of attempted extortion in 2007 after he was accused of threatening to use his influence as a then-state senator for financial gain. (He published a book about it in 2019.)
• A campaign misconduct complaint against him was dismissed in 2018.

Linh's favorite nice-weather Midwest activity: Chilling on patios.

Below are some places I enjoy and why.

• Note: I'm very partial to "bikeable" locations and good food.

Bartender's Handshake

This Ingersoll bar became one of my favorites during the pandemic. The food and drinks are fun + creative. There are heaters and you can roast s'mores over a fire.

• Plus: it's a very COVID-conscious space that takes reservations.

What I'm eating: Mint pesto cold noodles (so good.)

Open: 2pm-12am Mon-Fri; 11am-12am Sat-Sun; 3615 Ingersoll Ave.

Captain Roy's

This is as close as you're going to get to a beachside bar in Des Moines. Captain Roy's is a lively stop if you want a beer, some food and a nearby bike trail.

• Plus: Birdland Park is overhauling into a "resort-like" location, including a new look for Captain Roy's.

What I'm eating: Bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers

Open: 11am to 9pm Tues-Thurs; 11am to 10pm Fri-Sat; 10am to 5pm Sun; 1900 Saylor Rd.

See the full list

Keosauqua Way’s makeover is set for this summer and will include reconstructed medians and special walk signals to improve pedestrian safety.

Why it matters: It will help improve our city’s walkability.

• It’s one of busiest roads into downtown and less than a block away for hundreds of residents, including children from the nearby Oakridge Neighborhood and seniors at Royal View Manor.

Details: The $1.3 million project runs from 9th to 19th streets. In addition to resurfacing it includes:

• A High-intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) traffic signal at the intersections of Oakridge Drive and Crocker Street — with flashing lights for motorists and countdowns for pedestrians.
• Left turns will also be eliminated in some areas to reduce crashes.

What’s next: The city is seeking competitive bids and will approve a contractor on May 10.

• Construction will be completed in late spring of 2022.

These vacant hotel buildings near the corner of E. 14th Street and Euclid Avenue will be converted into apartments, according to a rezoning request approved this week.

• The properties are in the process of being sold, Charles Meier, whose family owns the buildings, told Jason this week.
• Multiple attempts to reach representatives of the buyers were unsuccessful this week.

Pie is the reward to winners of a contest hosted by Iowa Auditor Rob Sand that promotes "Public Innovations and Efficiencies" (PIE), which we told you about earlier this week.

Reader Marty Ryan says he has great admiration for the auditor but couldn’t help but ask some serious questions about the sweet incentives.

• Sonya Heitshusen, Sand’s spokesperson answered them for us.

💵 Who purchases the pies? Auditor Sand. They are allowable under the law, especially if you consider that each piece of pie would be valued at under $3.

🤤 Who eats them? That will likely be left up to the PIE award winners.

👨🏻‍🍳 Who makes them? The pies will most certainly be made in Iowa. However, the vendor has not yet been determined.

💭🕵🏼 Our thought bubble: We'd like to volunteer as PIE-tasting sleuths.

Ask Axios: We'll answer just about any question related to the DSM metro. Hit reply to ask a question.