The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 with Rick Mongan, Bryan Petersen, Gary Lundquist, Duane Mummert, and Wane Miller present. There were no representatives from the press. Wes Fopma, Sarah Tracy, Kelly Puhrmann, Ryan Kolpin, Greg Zarr and Stu Hogg were also in attendance. Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows: Ayes – Mongan, Petersen, Mummert, Miller, Lundquist; Nayes – two; Abstentions – one.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Wane Miller, Veteran Affairs Commissioner.
Motion by Mongan, seconded by Miller to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Petersen to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
Cherokee Regional Medical Center (CRMC) representatives Gary Jordan, Melissa Cunningham and Judy Stowater discussed contracts and billing for ambulance, public health and medical investigator services provided to Cherokee County by CRMC. After a brief discussion and clarification from County Attorney Ryan Kolpin, contracts will be rephrased to reflect terms that are mutually agreeable to both Cherokee County and CRMC.
Kaitlin Letsche, Election Manager, reviewed the November 2, 2021 City-School Election Second Tier results for the Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Community School District including total votes from Cherokee and Plymouth Counties.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mongan to certify the Second Tier Canvass of 2021 City-School Election results as presented. Motion carried with details as follows:
Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn School – Director At Large (vote for three)
Belinda Leavitt – 309 votes
Luke Olson – 298 votes
Scattering of write ins – 16 votes
Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, presented a request for temporary use of county right of way and two wage authorizations for consideration.
Motion by Miller, seconded by Mummert to authorize a request from the Powder Players, Inc. Snowmobile Club to mark and maintain a trail system in Marcus Township along C Avenue from the junction of Highway 3 north to 480th Street and east on 480th Street to the west corporate limits of the City of Marcus. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Mongan to approve a $24.61 wage authorization for Kade Jurgensen, Secondary Roads Operator, effective November 29, 2021. Motion carried with Miller voting nay.
Motion by Mongan, seconded by Mummert to approve a $25.61 per hour wage authorization for Tim Wych, Engineering Technician, effective December 1, 2021, with a benefit exception as follows: 1) Wych will be allowed to carry over 40 hours of vacation from one year to the next as defined in the employee handbook. 2) Wych will be given 80 hours (2 weeks) of vacation upon hire date of December 1, 2021. 3) On his first anniversary (12/1/2022) Wych shall be given 80 hours (2 weeks) of vacation. 4) On his second anniversary (12/1/2023) Wych shall be given 80 hours (2 weeks) of vacation and will thereafter follow the vacation schedule as stated in the employee handbook. Motion carried with Miller voting nay. Miller expressed concerns that the county’s personnel policies for employee benefits are not being followed and it is creating issues with current employees. Employee benefits have continued to be a discussion at county department meetings with no updates to the County’s Personnel having been approved by the Board of Supervisors.
Greg Zarr, County Assessor, presented several property tax credit applications for the board’s consideration.
Motion by Mongan, seconded by Miller to approve Homestead and Military Credit Applications for the 2021 assessment year with taxes payable 2022/2023 and to disallow applications that no longer qualify as recommended by the Cherokee County Assessor’s Office. Motion carried.
Motion by Miller, seconded by Mummert to approve new Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Credit applications for the 2021 assessment year with taxes payable 2022/2023 and to disallow applications that no longer qualify as recommended by the Cherokee County Assessor’s Office. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mummert to approve Family Farm applications for the 2021 assessment year with taxes payable in 2022/2023 and to disallow those that no longer qualify as recommended by the Cherokee County Assessor’s Office. Motion carried with Lundquist abstaining.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mongan to approve Business Property Tax Credit applications for the 2021 assessment year with taxes payable in 2022/2023 and to disallow those that no longer qualify as recommended by the Cherokee County Assessor’s Office. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Mongan to approve a $3,937.60 final payout to Kelly Ebel for comp hours and hours worked in the Secondary Roads Department, effective November 12, 2021. Motion carried.
Kris Glienke, County Auditor, presented documents related to property tax rebates within Urban Renewal Areas created by Cherokee County.
Motion by Mongan, seconded by Petersen to approve the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 TIF Debt Certification for the Cherokee County LSCP Urban Renewal Area which will generate a $68,080 tax rebate. Motion carried.
Motion by Miller, seconded by Mummert to approve the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 TIF Debt Certification for the Cherokee County Sand Seed Urban Renewal Area which will generate a $26,000 tax rebate to First Cooperative Association. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Miller to approve “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreements” for fiscal year 2022 county funding of covered services that benefit Cherokee County citizens and individuals as provided by the following entities: MidSioux Opportunities; CAASA; Quimby Fire Department; and Grand Meadow Heritage Center. Motion carried.
The supervisors provided committee reports and reviewed meeting schedules.
Lundquist called for comments from the public. Wes Fopma, Regional Director for Congressman Randy Feenstra, explained the Congressman’s priorities for representing citizens of northwest Iowa in Washington D.C. and asked for comments and concerns of the Board of Supervisors. Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, reported on a call she received from a resident regarding a bridge replacement in Diamond Township that had been delayed several years due to utility relocation issues. The bridge is currently scheduled for replacement in 2023. Stu Hogg, IT Director reported on a delay of installing electronic door locks on courthouse offices due to parts currently on backorder.
There being no further business, Chairman Lundquist adjourned the meeting at 10:19 a.m.
All board agendas and minutes are available online at www.cherokeecountyiowa.gov .
Attest: Kris Glienke, County Auditor
Gary Lundquist, Chairman
Published in the Marcus News December 2, 2021.