The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 with Rick Mongan, Bryan Petersen, Duane Mummert, Cheryl Ellis and Dave Skou present. There were no representatives from the press. Gary Lundquist, Jim Snapp, Leo Kohn, Jim Agnitsch, Scott Osborn, Chad Brown, Randy Smith, Justin Pritts, Laura Jones, Jon Curry, Peter Cosgrove, Ryan Kolpin, David Peck, Rod Keleher, Nick Livermore, Will Miller and Sarah Tracy 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 by Petersen to approve an amended agenda to include change proposals from L & L Builders. Motion carried.
Motion Mummert, seconded by Petersen to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, 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 February 28, 2023: 

AgState
Fuel 10,183.81
Alliant Energy
Serv 949.19
Alpha Wireless Communications
Serv 331.20
Bomgaars
Supp 778.20
Builders Sharpening & Serv
Parts 5.70
Central Bank
Supp 1,823.68
CenturyLink Qwest
Serv 149.02
Champion Electric, Inc
Serv 13.80
Cherokee State Bank
Flex/Self Fund 233.59
Cherokee Regional Medical Ctr
Health Serv 265.00
Christenson Brothers
Projects 125,000.00
Cherokee Chronicle Times
Publ 389.00
Cintas
Supp 42.30
City of Cherokee
Serv 449.90
Continental Fire Sprinkler Co.
Serv 150.00
Country Tire & Service, Inc.
Serv 408.54
Dearborn Life Insurance Co
Life Ins 951.01
Denny’s Heating A/C & Plumbin
Serv 178.00
District III – Conservation Assoc
Dues 200.00
DTN, LLC
Serv 321.00
Kelly Ebel
Reimb 16.34
Equipment Blades Inc
Parts 17,492.72
Fareway
Supp 3,187.54
FORCE America Distributing,LLC
Parts 709.01
Fox Hydraulics
Parts 245.00
Gordon Flesch Company
Serv 81.78
GovConnection, Inc
Supp 655.83
GreatAmerica Financial Svcs
Serv 73.00
Growmark FS
Fuel 11,357.62
Hy-Vee Inc.
Sup 18.34
Iowa Assoc Of Naturalists
Membership 20.00
Iowa DOT
Training 722.32
Iowa Lakes Electric Coop
Serv 1,825.00
IA Lakes Regional Water
Serv 71.99
Iowa Law Enforcement Academy
Serv 300.00
Janitor’s Closet, Ltd
Supp 73.98
JJSS, LLC Jim’s Sewer Service
Serv 210.00
Julius Cleaners
Serv 37.00
KCHE
Ads 250.00
Joshua A Keck
Safety 75.00
Lawson Products Inc
Parts 54.58
Kari L Lundy
Mileage 33.25
Mail Services, LLC
Postage 503.97
Marco
Serv 303.15
Mid American Energy
Serv 3,835.32
Mid-American Benefits, Inc.
Admin Fees 555.00
Midwest Lubricants, Inc
Supp 321.20
Midwest Technology Services
Serv 2,830.68
Midwest Wheel Companies
Parts 126.76
Modern Heating & Cooling, Inc
Serv 379.89
Motor Parts Sales
Parts 317.21
Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co
Parts 1,772.10
Northside Tire
Serv 210.07
O’Halloran International
Parts 259.82
One Office Solution
Supp 52.86
Pilot Rock Sign Shop
Supp 1,950.00
PJ Greufe & Associates
Serv 1,500.00
Plains Area Mental Health
Serv 1,200.00
Prestox
Serv 81.36
Sanitary Services Inc
Serv 530.55
Cherokee Co. Secondary Roads
Sign 156.20
Seneca Companies
Serv 1,909.93
Sentry Security Fasteners Inc
Supp 190.00
SHI International Corp
Supp 1,828.00
Solutions
Serv 105.25
SRF Consulting Group, Inc
Serv 271.67
The Storm Lake Times
Publ 582.03
TNT Sales & Service
Serv 8,791.46
Truck Center Companies
Parts 1,470.67
Valley Glass & Framing Co
Serv 1,885.00
Valley Veterinary Center
Fee 375.00
Verizon Wireless
Serv 805.04
Vermeer Sales & Serv
Parts 118.11
Visual Edge IT
Serv 115.21
Wellmark BCBS of Iowa
Insurance 100,617.76
Winther Stave & Co LLP
Serv 17,500.00
Ziegler Inc
Supp 9,526.00
360 Custom Designs
Serv 517.00
Grand Total $343,827.51
Chairman Mongan asked for comments from the public. Laura Jones, Conservation Director, reported on a meeting to be held at the Cherokee County Conservation Board Office on March 14, 2023. Conservation Boards from Dickinson, Clay, Buena Vista, O’Brien, Cherokee, Ida and Woodbury Counties will be holding public meetings regarding a state designated water trail. The purpose of the public meetings is to provide adjacent landowners information on the Inkpaduta Water Trail (Little Sioux River) becoming a state designated water trail and to hear concerns and ideas to make the Water Trail enjoyable for everyone.
Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, presented results from a recent bid letting for local construction projects.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to approve Resolution #2023-06 accepting a $1,311,766.50 bid from Graves Construction Co. for three RCB Culvert Replacements (twin boxes) at Amherst 245, Pilot 159, and Liberty 009. Roll call vote: Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Derek Scott, County Sheriff, presented a wage authorization for consideration.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mummert to approve a $25.00 per hour wage authorization for Zachary Wingert, Full-Time Deputy, effective March 15, 2023. Motion carried.
Chad Brown inquired if any action has been taken on the county lease with Little Sioux Wildlife Association (LSWA) that ends on May 31, 2023. There is a 90 day notification clause for both parties to renew or terminate the three year lease as it is currently written. Brown emphasized that the county should give a 90 day notice by March 1st to be proper. Ryan Kolpin, County Attorney, agreed that a termination notice should be given as soon as possible since the current lease does not meet state requirements. Supervisor Ellis joined the meeting at 9:25 am. Numerous comments were offered by those in attendance, both for and against the county terminating the lease with LSWA.
Petersen summarized the situation as: 1. It has been brought to the county’s attention that the current lease is not legal; 2. The lease must be terminated; and 3. The supervisors can then determine how to proceed.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Skou to authorize the county attorney to formally terminate the lease between Cherokee County and Little Sioux Wildlife Association effective May 31, 2023. Motion carried with Mummert and Mongan voting nay.
Mongan asked for volunteers to serve on a committee to work with the county attorney and two county supervisors to formulate options for the county property currently used by LSWA. Dave Peck, Rod Keleher, Laura Jones and Nick Livermore will serve in this capacity.
The supervisors provided committee reports and reviewed meeting schedules.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to approve the 2021/2022 Fiscal Year Audit Draft as prepared by Winther, Stave & Co. and to submit the report to the Iowa Auditor of State. Motion carried.
The supervisors reviewed the financial impact of Senate File 181 which reduced the residential rollback percentage on all taxable property valuations in the state. Cherokee County’s total taxable valuations for the 2023/2024 budget were reduced by 11.25 million as a result of the legislation.
There being no further business, Chairman Mongan called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to adjourn the meeting at 10:13 a.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 March 16, 2023