The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 with Rick Mongan, Bryan Petersen, Duane Mummert, Cheryl Ellis and Dave Skou present. There were no representatives from the press. Steve Zarr, Sarah Tracy, Sam Johnson, Kenny Schlenger, Justin Pritts and Cindy Nelson 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 Petersen, seconded by Skou to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mummert to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
There were no comments from the public.
Steve Zarr, Survey Engineering Technician, presented right-of-way permits for consideration.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mummert to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for Nuvera Communications in Section 11 of Pitcher Township. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for MidAmerican Energy in Sections 7, 18, 19 and 30 of Marcus Township. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Petersen to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for Alliant Energy in Sections 12, 13, 14, 24 and 25 of Spring Township. Motion carried.
Kenny Schlenger, Roads Superintendent, presented a dust control permit with a $50 fee to be completed by land owners or tenants no less than five working days prior to application of dust control product on county roadways.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to authorize the Secondary Roads Department to implement a Dust Control Permit as drafted by the County Engineer. Motion carried.
Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, presented a project close out document and discussed activities in the Secondary Roads Department.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Petersen to approve a final voucher for C16 Project #FM-CO18(88)–55-18 to close out the contract. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Skou to open a public hearing for proposed 2023/2024 Property Tax Revenues. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried.
Hearing no comments from the public, a motion was made by Mummert, seconded by Petersen to close the public hearing. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Mummert to adopt Resolution #2023-07 Approval of Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Maximum Property Tax Dollars “NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Cherokee County, Iowa, that the maximum property tax dollars for General County Services and Rural County Services for FY2023/2024 shall not exceed the following: General County Services – $4,259,519 and Rural County Services – $2,408,552. The Maximum Property Tax dollars requested in both the General County Services and Rural County Services for FY2023/2024 represent an increase exceeding 102% from the Maximum Property Tax dollars requested for FY2022/2023.” Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Petersen to approve Resolution #2023-08 Designating Duties to Prepare and Adopt the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget and designate Kris Glienke as Cherokee County Budget Director. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Petersen to approve the 2023/2024 Proposed Budget for publication and set a Public Budget Hearing on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 9:15 a.m. in the Temporary Board of Supervisors Room. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried. The Proposed 2023/2024 Budget includes tax rates per $1,000 taxable valuation of $4.04269 for urban areas and $7.05935 for rural areas.
Hedgie Brandt, County Treasurer, reviewed investments and interest rates for county held accounts.
After several questions from the supervisors, Chairman Mongan asked Brandt to report back in two weeks with an updated Investment Policy, Depository Resolution and listing of investments including interest rates with maturity dates.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to appoint Luke Pearson as Afton Township Trustee with term ending December 31, 2026. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Petersen to appoint Tina Ohlson as Liberty Township Clerk with term ending December 31, 2026. Motion carried.
The supervisors provided committee reports, reviewed meeting schedules.
There being no further business, Chairman Mongan called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Petersen to adjourn the meeting at 9:58 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 23, 2023