The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 with Rick Mongan, Bryan Petersen, Duane Mummert, Cheryl Ellis and Dave Skou present. There were no representatives from the press. Laura Jones, Derek Scott, Kenny Schlenger, Justin Pritts and Stu Hogg were also in attendance. Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows: Ayes – Ellis, Skou, Mummert, Petersen, Mongan; Nayes – none; Abstentions – none.
Chairman Mongan called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Skou, seconded Mummert to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Ellis to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Petersen to approve the claims for payment as presented. Motion carried. A complete listing is available for review in the County Auditor’s office and online.

Claims Approved January 24, 2023:
AgState
Fuel 3,878.09
Alliant Energy
Serv 1,019.79
Alpha Wireless Communications
Serv 281.20
Aurelia Municipal Utility
Serv 138.16
Tom Baumann
Serv 210.00
Beck Engineering
Serv 347.50
Benson Construction
Serv 875.00
Robert Berge
Travel Reimb 88.00
Bomgaars
Supp 88.67
Brad’s Tire Service Center
Serv 65.74
Buena Vista County Sheriff
Fees 127.76
Builders Sharpening & Serv
Parts 587.28
Cherokee Area Economic Develop
Booth 110.00
Campbell Supply C
Parts 114.83
Central Bank
Supp 134.99
Champion Electric, Inc
Serv 146.25
Cherokee County Sheriff
Fees 42.98
Cherokee State Bank
Flex/Self Fund 6,618.24
Cherokee Inn
LEC Employee Lodging 168.00
Cherokee Regional Medical Ctr
Health Serv 617.00
Christenson Brothers
Projects 535.93
Cherokee Chronicle Times
Publ 821.34
City of Cherokee
Serv 203.57
City of Marcus
Serv 200.00
City of Meriden
Serv 25.00
CJ Cooper & Associates
Serv 250.00
Clay County Sheriff
Fee 74.00
CML Telephone Coop
Serv 32.45
Cole Papers Inc
Supp 383.14
Crittenton Center
Shelter 1,399.50
Crysteel Manufacturing, Inc
Parts 3,724.66
Dearborn Life Insurance Co
Life Ins 936.11
Brian Denery
Per Diem 50.00
Don Drefke
Per Diem 50.00
Dave Ellis
Per Diem 50.00
Fareway
Supp 2,040.93
Frontier
Serv 259.90
Kris Glienke
Travel Reimb 83.50
Gordon Flesch Company
Serv 78.31
Graves Construction Co., Inc
Construction 970.08
GreatAmerica Financial Svcs Serv 73.00
Growmark FS
Fuel 3,283.85
Hallett Materials
Gravel 7,368.23
Hy-Vee Inc.
Supp 170.34
Ida County Sheriff
Fees 66.64
Interstate Battery System
Parts 148.45
Iowa Lakes Electric Coop
Serv 3,111.18
IA Lakes Regional Water
Serv 65.74
Iowa Law Enforcement Academy
Serv 300.00
Iowa Secretary of State
Fee 1,097.92
Iowa Weed Commissioners Assoc
Dues 200.00
Iowa State Assoc of Counties
Dues 630.00
Jacks Uniforms & Equipment
Clothing 212.70
John Deere Financial
Parts 243.00
JR’s Sales and Service LLC
Serv 65.00
Julius Cleaners
Serv 37.00
Klass Law Firm, LLP
Serv 140.00
Thomas J Kohn
Reimb 35.00
Lighthouse Machinery
Supp 5,802.82
Little Falls Machine, Inc.
Parts 2,247.26
Kari L Lundy
Mileage 30.25
Marco
Serv 314.56
Marx Leasing
Serv 150.00
Microfilm Imaging Systems Inc
Serv 480.00
Mid American Energy
Serv 211.95
Mid-American Benefits, Inc.
Fees 75.00
Midwest Wheel Companies
Parts 272.70
Wane A Miller
Per Diem 50.00
Modern Heating & Cooling, Inc
Serv 763.87
Motor Parts Sales
Parts 5.56
Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co
Parts 999.57
National Sheriffs Assoc
Due 142.00
Northside Tire
Serv 434.76
O’Halloran International
Parts 773.99
OBrien County Sheriff’s Offic
Fees 140.00
One Office Solution
Supp 423.46
Pakor, Inc
Supp 178.38
Michelle K. Pedersen
Per Diem 50.00
PJ Greufe & Associates
Serv 1,500.00
Plains Area Mental Health
Serv 700.00
Plymouth County Sheriff
Fees 48.34
Prestox
Serv 166.11
Radar Road Tec
Serv 377.00
Record Management Systems Inc
Serv 106.47
Redig Funeral Home
Serv 1,500.00
Alexis Renze
Reimb 5.74
RJ Thomas Mfg. Co, Inc.
Supp 3,328.00
Robertson Implement Co Inc
Supp 91.50
SCE, LLC
Serv 707.64
Siouxland Lock & Key
Serv 364.00
Solutions
Serv 500.00
The Storm Lake Times
Publ 386.32
Nathanial A Story
Travel Reimb 381.74
Sarah J Swick
Reimb 9.00
Terracon Consultants Inc
Serv 1,300.00
US Police Canine Assoc
Membership 100.00
Verizon Wireless
Serv 174.56
Visual Edge IT/Counsel
Serv 169.38
Wellmark BCBS of Iowa
Insurance 97,535.43
WesTel Systems
Serv 405.59
WHKS & Co
Serv 36,996.49
Ziegler Inc
Supp 1,668.21
360 Custom Designs
Serv 205.52
Grand Total $207,349.12

There were no comments from the public.
Kenny Schlenger, Roads Superintendent, reported on maintenance activities in the Roads Department.
Cherokee Regional Medical Center Public Health representatives Kayla Mayer and Gary Jordan provided an informative review of services and requested the same level of funding ($113,000) for the 2023/2024 budget year. The supervisors thanked CRMC Public Health staff for their dedication and care provided to the public.
Greg Gengler, Cherokee Regional Medical Center EMS Manager, provided a review of ambulance services and reported 1,433 calls in 2022. Gengler stated CRMC has two ambulance crews staffed 24/7 with the 1st team dedicated to 911 calls and the 2nd team being available to take transfers, respond to other emergencies within the hospital or take additional 911 calls. Gengler recommended that Cherokee County develop a steering committee to plan how emergency medical services will be funded in the future and to explore the option of implementing a countywide property tax to pay for essential EMS services. The supervisors thanked Cherokee Regional Medical Center staff for their services provided to the public.
Laura Jones, Conservation Director, presented an annual report of activities and finances in 2021/2022.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to accept the Conservation Department’s 2021/2022 Cherokee County Conservation Board Annual Report as presented. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to approve Resolution #2023-02 Inter-Fund Operating Transfer of $50,000.00 from General Basic Fund to Conservation Reserve Fund. Roll call vote: Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Ellis-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Jessica Rohrs, Family Crisis Center, presented additional information about services provided to Cherokee County Residents who have been impacted by violent crimes. Rohrs requested a funding increase from $5,000 to $7,500 for the 2023/2024 budget year. The request will be taken under consideration.
Tim Holmes presented information about ownership changes and a building project at the Marcus Golf Course. A new club house has been designed which includes a restaurant and party room that will be available to the public year around. Fundraising efforts have already raised 70% of the anticipated $1.2 million total project cost and the committee has applied for a Destination Iowa Grant. An application for the Enhance Iowa Grant is being finalized but requires cash contributions from individuals and businesses as well as from the city and county in which the project will be located. Holmes asked the supervisors for a letter of support and financial pledge for this project as it will provide a public benefit to Cherokee County.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mummert to provide a letter of support for the Marcus Golf Club House Project and a $10,000 contribution from the Rural Betterment Fund to be paid over four years if the Enhance Iowa Grant application is approved. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Mummert to acknowledge a salary increase from $60,746 to $75,932 for Joel Ehrig, Chief Deputy Assessor, effective January 1, 2023 as previously approved by the Cherokee County Conference Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Skou to approve a separation of employment and $1,635.20 final payout of hours worked for Emma Weber, Dispatcher, effective January 22, 2023. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Skou to approve a separation of employment for Alexis Renze, Jailer, effective January 11, 2023. Motion carried.
The supervisors provided committee reports and reviewed meeting schedules.
The supervisors continued to review cash balances and tax revenue options for the 2022/2023 fiscal year.
The board continued reviewing department budgets for the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
There being no further business, Chairman Mongan called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Petersen to adjourn the meeting at 12:16 p.m.
All board agendas and minutes are available online at www.cherokeecountyiowa.com .
Attest: Kris Glienke, County Auditor
Rick Mongan, Chairman
Published in the Marcus News on February 9, 2023