The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 with Rick Mongan, Bryan Petersen, Duane Mummert, Cheryl Ellis and Dave Skou present. Erin Rydgren, Chronicle Times, represented the press. Derek Scott, Kenny Schlenger, Sarah Tracy, Justin Pritts and Kelly Puhrmann were also in attendance. Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows: Ayes – Ellis, Skou, Mummert, Petersen, Mongan; Nayes – one; 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 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 Skou, seconded by Mummert 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 September 12, 2023:
AgState
Fuel 42,397.70
Alliant Energy
Serv 44.26
Alpha Wireless Communications
Serv 384.67
Arnold Motor Supply
Parts 140.44
Aurelia Historical Society
Approp 625.00
Aurelia Library
Approp 2,392.50
Aurelia Municipal Utility
Serv 57.22
Bank of America
Supp 720.00
Blaine’s Culligan
Supp 76.00
Bomgaars
Supp 1,138.54
Samantha J Boothby
Reimb 393.95
L&L Builders Co
Serv 54,883.40
CAASA
Approp 1,250.00
Cherokee Area Economic Develop
Approp 49,375.00
Calhoun Burns Associates, Inc
Serv 6,109.64
Campbell Supply Co
Parts 378.19
Central Bank
Supp 636.64
CenturyLink
Serv 145.02
Champion Electric, Inc
Serv 99.75
Cherokee Chamber of Commerce
Dues 500.00
Cherokee Co Emergency Services
Approp 25,000.00
Cherokee County EMS Assoc
Alloc&Supp 3,979.00
Cherokee County Engineer
Fuel 3,456.52
Cherokee County Hazmat Fund
Approp 25,777.84
Cherokee County Sheriff
Fees 37.00
Cherokee State Bank
Flex/Self Fund 1,064.64
Cherokee Library
Approp 3,850.00
Cherokee Regional Medical CTR
Alloc&Contr 29,571.52
Cherokee Regional Medical CTR
Approp 48,468.75
Cherokee Rural Water
Serv 398.30
Christensen Brothers
Projects 130,201.12
Cherokee Chronicle Times
Publ 240.48
City of Cherokee
Serv 289.03
City of Marcus
Serv 600.00
City of Meriden
Serv 25.00
City of Quimby
Serv 63.00
CJ Cooper & Associates
Serv 10.00
Claeys Brothers Moving
Move 20,000.00
CML Telephone Coop
Serv 2,614.45
Connections Area Agency
Approp 500.00
Country Tire & Service, Inc.
Serv 825.16
Crysteel Manufacturing, Inc
Parts 164.18
Dettmann Implement Co
Supp 59.12
Discover
Supp 2,354.12
Kelly Ebel
Mileage 152.00
Echo Group, Inc.
Serv 175.00
Joel M Ehrig
TravelReimb 496.81
Elan Financial Services
Supp 2,002.66
Evertek, Inc.
Serv 406.00
Family Crisis Center
Approp 1,250.00
Fareway
Supp 1,897.80
Brian Flikeid
Serv 258.00
FORCE America Distributing,LLC
Parts 47.44
GCC Alliance Concrete Co, Inc
Concrete 9,816.25
GovConnection, Inc.
Supp 434.15
Grand Meadow Heritage
Approp 625.00
Graves Construction Co., Inc
Construction 26,602.14
GreatAmerica Financial Svcs
Serv 674.69
Growmark FS
Fuel 8,296.20
Hancock Concrete Products, LLC
Culverts 9,235.44
Interstate Battery System
Parts 129.95
Iowa Department of Revenue
Sales Tax 210.00
Iowa Dept Of Rev & Finance
Regist 60.00
IA Lakes Regional Water
Serv 161.74
ISAA
Dues 650.00
Jacks Uniforms & Equipment
Clothing 251.74
Janitor’s Closet, Ltd
Supp 153.36
Jebro Inc
Supp 5,813.50
Jeneary Dental
Serv 120.00
Julius Cleaners
Serv 37.00
Lynne Lauck
Serv 105.00
Lawson Products Inc
Parts 134.40
Loughlin Law Firm
Fee 375.00
Jeff Lundquist
Per Diem 25.00
Kari L Lundy
Mileage 35.75
Mail Services, LLC
Postage 501.75
Marco
Serv 316.69
Marcus Ambulance Fund
Alloc 8,500.00
Marcus Historical Society
Approp 625.00
Marcus Library
Approp 2,392.50
Marcus Lumber
Supp 22,447.10
Marcus News
Publ 614.70
Martin Marietta Materials
Supp 7,508.15
Metal Culverts
Pipes 490.40
Mid American Energy
Serv 4,614.43
Mid-American Benefits, Inc.
Admin Fees 614.25
Midwest Technology Services
Serv 1,250.00
Midwest Wheel Companies
Parts 9.94
Missouri Machine & Plow LLC
Parts 57.78
Modern Heating & Cooling, Inc
Serv 320.86
Motor Parts Sales
Parts 122.58
Ray Mullins
Per Diem 25.00
Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co
Parts 2,158.18
Northside Tire
Serv 509.87
Kent Ohlson
Per Diem 25.00
One Office Solution
Supp 2,224.01
PJ Greufe & Associates
Serv 1,500.00
Quimby Library
Approp 2,392.50
Rees Mack Sales & Service
Parts 3,251.05
Jen Rye
Serv 1,032.00
Sanitary Services Inc
Serv 1,408.90
Senior Citizens
Approp 693.75
SHI International Corp
Supp 936.00
Sioux Valley Family Health
Serv 165.00
Siouxland Regional Transit
Approp 7,670.25
SRFax
Serv 66.00
Jacqueline M Stephens
Serv 288.00
Barb Steward
Serv 300.00
The Storm Lake Times Pilot
Publ 399.96
Swain Motor Company
Serv 720.00
Triple C Pest Control
Serv 110.00
Valley Veterinary Center
Fees 60.00
Vander Haag’s Inc
Part 125.00
Vanguard Appraisals Inc
Serv 14,125.00
Verizon Wireless
Serv 1,673.11
Visual Edge IT
Serv 596.89
Paula Voss
Per Diem 25.00
Washta Library
Approp 2,392.50
Wiese Oil & Supply
Fuel 2,123.28
Ziegler Inc
Supp 12,138.42
Grand Total $641,449.97

There were no comments from the public.

Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, presented utility permits for consideration.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mummert to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for Iowa Communications Network in Section 21 of Pilot Township which was verbally approved by the County Engineer in advance. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Petersen to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for Iowa Communications Network in Section 4 of Pilot Township which was verbally approved by the County Engineer in advance. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for Cherokee Rural Water in Section 29 of Cherokee Township which was verbally approved by the County Engineer in advance. Motion carried.
Sarah Tracy, Zoning Administrator, reported on a vacancy on the Zoning Commission and provided notice of an upcoming public hearing for a potential solar farm ordinance.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mummert to authorize the Zoning Administrator to advertise to fill a vacancy on the Zoning Commission. Motion carried.
Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, discussed Title VI requirements as recommended by the Iowa DOT.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to authorize the chairman to sign a Title VI Non-Discrimination Agreement with Iowa DOT. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Petersen to authorize the chairman to sign a Title VI Standard Assurances document. Motion carried.
Tracy provided an update on current construction projects: two bridge replacements are underway in Willow Township and on L48; pipe replacement on River Road; bridge maintenance is being done by Christensen Bros.; and F Avenue is on hold until land appraisals are received.
Kenny Schlenger, Roads Superintendent, discussed equipment needs.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mummert to authorize the Roads Superintendent to purchase a Western Star truck chassis from Fairmont Truck Center for $145,840 with additional costs for truck box, plow and accessories estimated at an additional $100,000 and no trade in value since the truck being replaced will be kept as a spare unit. Motion carried with Skou voting nay.
Derek Scott, County Sheriff, requested an exception to the personnel policy for a deputy sheriff since the Law Enforcement Center was short staffed while two new deputies were at the law enforcement academy.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mummert to approve carryover of 20 vacation hours for Isaiah Isaacs due to his inability to use them before his anniversary date. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Petersen to approve a separation of employment and $600.00 final payout of hours worked for Brett Greenfield, Conservation Seasonal Labor, effective August 11, 2023. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Ellis to approve a separation of employment and $485.30 final payout of hours worked for Erin Sonksen, Emergency Management/Environmental Health Administrative Assistant, effective August 29, 2023. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2024 county funding of covered services provided by the Aurelia Library for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
The supervisors provided committee reports and reviewed meeting schedules. Ellis spoke on behalf of the board when going on record to acknowledge staff and the entire community for handling relocation of the courthouse so well. Skou voiced his concerns about state boards and commissions being eliminated which might include the 911 Council. Currently there are 103 public safety answering points (PSAP) in the state and discussions have been to regionalize and reduce the total number of PSAPS down to twenty-seven. Skou encouraged everyone to contact their legislators and ask them to support the 911 Council and local dispatching services instead of a regional system.
There being no further business, Mongan called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou 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