The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 with Rick Mongan, Bryan Petersen, Duane Mummert, Cheryl Ellis and Dave Skou present. Erin Rydgren, Chronicle Times, represented the press. Steve Zarr, Wally Leonard, Kelly Puhrmann, Sarah Tracy, Derek Scott 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 Mummert, seconded by Skou to approve an amended agenda to include an employee payout and discussion with the Deputy Assessor. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Ellis to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
There were no comments from the public.
Steve Zarr, Survey Engineering Technician, presented utility permits for consideration.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Skou to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for Drew Wieland/Hawk-I Electric in Section 14 of Pitcher Township. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mummert to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative in Sections 8 and 9 of Pilot Township. Motion carried.
Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, presented a five year construction program and DOT budget.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to approve the FY24-28 Five Year Construction Program as prepared by County Engineer staff. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Ellis to approve the FY24 DOT Budget as presented. Motion carried.
Tracy reported that spring construction work has begun with bridge and culvert projects underway.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Petersen to open a public hearing for the proposed 2022/2023 fiscal year budget amendment. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried. Chairman Mongan asked for comments from the public.
Hearing no comments from the public, a motion was made by Mummert, seconded by Ellis to close the public hearing. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Petersen to approve the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Budget Amendment as published. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried.
Derek Scott, County Sheriff, presented wage authorizations for consideration.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mummert to approve an $18.50 per hour wage authorization for Darby Baillie, Full-Time Jailer, effective April 26, 2023. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Petersen to approve an $18.50 per hour wage authorization for Sheyanne Hill, Full-Time Jailer, effective April 14, 2023. Motion carried.
Adam Buss, New York Life Insurance, presented voluntary employee benefit options for employees of the county. No action was taken.
Nathanial Story, Deputy Assessor, reviewed recent assessment notices that were mailed to property owners. Story explained that the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDOR) mandates county assessors to value all property at market value with a 5% +/- variance allowed. After the recent adjustment, Cherokee County is now assessed at 97% of the required 100% market value. Story noted that Cherokee County property sales in 2022 were 30% above the county’s assessed values; which did not comply with current requirements in the IDOR’s 2020 assessment manual. Story noted that these figures are for assessed values only and are not the basis for property taxes. The state also limits the amount counties can increase taxable values on properties, which is currently limited to a 3% growth over the previous tax year. After IDOR receives all assessment figures from county assessors, they will issue a rollback figure that tells counties, cities and schools how much of the property value will be used for property tax purposes. The supervisors thanked Story for his informative explanation.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mummert to approve a separation of employment and $11,637.39 final payout of hours worked, vacation, comp hours and longevity for Jeffrey Holmes, Secondary Roads Operator, effective March 31, 2023. Motion carried with the supervisors noting appreciation for Holmes’ forty years of service to Cherokee County.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to approve a detour on Linden Street and S Avenue for the Annual Cherokee Chamber PRCA Rodeo Parade on June 3, 2023. Motion carried.
There were no cost proposals from L & L Builders to consider.
The supervisors provided committee reports and reviewed meeting schedules.
There being no further business, Chairman Mongan called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to adjourn the meeting at 9:53 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 April 20, 2023