The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 with Rick Mongan, Duane Mummert, Cheryl Ellis and Dave Skou present. Bryan Petersen was absent. Tom Cullen, Storm Lake Times, represented the press. Derek Scott, Steve Zarr, Sarah Tracy, Kelly Puhrmann, Kenny Schlenger, Mike Cedar and Stu Hogg were also in attendance. Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows: Ayes – Ellis, Skou, Mummert, 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 Mummert to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Mummert to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Ellis 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 October 10, 2023: 

AgState
Fuel 47,388.12
Meredith J Aguirre
Travel Reimb 287.08
Alliant Energy
Serv 307.08
Darby J Baillie
Reimb 2.07
Blaine’s Culligan
Supp 205.12
Bomgaars
Supp 2,145.78
Bunkers Feed & Supply Inc
Serv 415.80
Calhoun Burns Associates, Inc
Serv 32,298.39
CPI #4
Rent 200.00
Central Bank
Supp 622.71
Central Iowa Distributing
Supp 916.00
Cherokee Aviation Authority
Approp 47,905.00
Cherokee County Engineer
Fuel 3,274.28
Cherokee County Solid Waste
Alloc 22,776.29
Cherokee State Bank
Flex/Self Fund 10,066.07
Cherokee Regional Medical CTR
Contract 4,430.85
Cherokee Rural Water
Serv 334.42
Christensen Brothers
Serv 220,559.00
City of Cherokee
Serv 140.00
City of Marcus
Serv 22.33
City of Meriden
Serv 25.00
City of Quimby
Serv 63.00
CML Telephone Coop
Serv 2,587.71
Cole Papers
Supp 46.42
Corporate Translation Services
Serv .86
Dell Computer Corp
Supp 903.30
Denny’s Heating A/C & Plumbing
Serv 115.00
Discover
Supp 1,894.75
Kelly Ebel
Reimb 181.71
Echo Group, Inc.
Serv 500.00
Elan Financial Services
Supp 1,730.73
Evertek, Inc.
Serv 400.00
Fareway
Groceries 39.94
Feld Equipment Company
Supp 144.00
Brian Flikeid
Serv 178.50
Gordon Flesch Company
Serv 179.70
GovConnection, Inc.
Supp 110.17
Graves Construction Co., Inc
Construction 78,027.08
GreatAmerica Financial Svcs
Serv 55.00
Growmark FS
Fuel 3,430.93
Hancock Concrete Products, LLC
Culverts 2,935.20
Hotsy Equipment Company
Supp 7.40
Iowa Comm Assurances Pool
Insur 5,691.00
Iowa Department of Revenue
Sales Tax 174.00
Iowa Workforce Development
Unemployment 3,075.20
Jacks Uniforms & Equipment
Clothing 471.59
Janitor’s Closet, Ltd
Supp 153.47
Jebro Inc
Supp 2,348.50
Julius Cleaners
Serv 34.00
Corey Kempers
Serv 36.00
Lynne Lauck
Serv 144.00
Mail Services, LLC
Postage 533.99
Marco
Serv 316.69
Marcus Lumber
Supp 164.69
Marcus News
Publ 278.88
Martin Marietta Materials
Supp 1,878.93
Mid American Energy
Serv 229.20
Mid-American Benefits, Inc.
Admin Fees 614.25
Motor Parts Sales
Parts 44.42
Murphy Tractor & Equipment C
Parts 683.85
Northside Tire
Serv&Supp 19,282.66
Nuvera
Serv 66.87
Plymouth County EMA
Supp 50.00
Roseen Construction
Serv 636.00
Jen Ryen
Serv 72.00
Sanitary Services Inc
Serv 628.90
Kenneth D Schlenger
Travel Reimb 41.66
SHI International Corp
Supp 56.00
Sioux Sales Company
Supp 69.75
Solutions
Serv 278.20
Steeple Jack
Serv 695.00
Jacqueline M Stephens
On Call 145.50
Debie A Stevenson
Travel Reimb 32.00
Barb Steward
Serv 300.00
TalkPoint Technologies, Inc.
Supp 986.70
Titan Machinery
Supp 1,912.79
Triple C Pest Control
Serv 110.00
Truck Center Companies
Parts 219.17
Verizon Wireless
Serv 933.38
Visual Edge IT
Serv 30.24
WesTel Systems
Serv 405.59
WHKS & Co
Serv 1,239.07
Wiese Oil & Supply
Fuel 3,624.06
Windstream Iowa-Comm. Inc.
Serv 814.07
Ziegler Inc
Supp 5,554.30
360 Custom Designs
Serv 36.00
Grand Total $542,945.36

There were no comments from the public.
Steve Zarr, Survey Engineering Technician, presented utility permits for consideration.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative in Section 19 of Cedar Township and Sections 22, 23 and 24 of Liberty Township. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative in Sections 29 and 32 of Cherokee Township. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Mummert to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative in Sections 20 and 21 of Cedar 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 Section 14 of Pitcher Township. Motion carried.
Kenny Schlenger, Roads Superintendent, discussed equipment needs.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Ellis to authorize the Roads Superintendent to purchase a Western Star 47X tractor chassis from Fairmont Truck Center for $144,507 with no trade in. Motion carried.
Schlenger updated the board on excessive windrows along gravel roads which will be resolved prior to the winter season; seeding will be completed on construction projects to reduce erosion; trees are being cut in ditches; and last-minute entrance driveways are being installed for farmers. Schlenger asked for guidance on how to educate the public about county right of way and the importance of notifying the County Engineer’s office prior to making any modifications to ditches or driveways. Safety and water drainage are major concerns when landowners take it upon themselves to make changes in ditches adjoining their property.
Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, provided an update on current construction projects: 1. Bridge being replaced with a culvert on L48 should be completed by Thanksgiving; 2. Bridge replacement on 540th Street just off River Road will be closed until spring; 3. Bridge replacement on 640th Street should be completed by the end of October.
Derek Scott, County Sheriff, presented a revenue report for consideration.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to accept the Sheriff’s $74,417.33 September 30, 2023 Quarterly Revenue Report as presented with $37,574.27 retained by the county. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mummert to authorize the chairman to sign a letter providing comments on an Environmental Impact Statement currently underway for Dakota Access Pipeline easements. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Ellis to authorize the chairman to sign an engagement letter with Winther Stave & Co, LLP, for a compliance review of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds used by Cherokee County in fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to approve a project proposal from Beck Engineering for renovating the east entrance to the courthouse. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to approve a separation of employment for Celeste Mohr, Dispatcher, effective October 10, 2023 to remove the position from a substitute list of certified personnel. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Mummert to approve a separation of employment for Tonya Reinders, Jailer, effective October 10, 2023 to remove the position from a substitute list of certified personnel. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, 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 Marcus Fair for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. 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 Cherokee County 4-H for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
The supervisors provided committee reports and reviewed meeting schedules.
Mongan reported on a recent County Conservation Board meeting that toured the shooting range. Mongan praised the Conservation Department for doing such a great job of building the berms with higher standards than required and for adding additional safety measures. Aerial photos will be shared at the next supervisors meeting so all board members can see the improvements made to the site.
There being no further business, Chairman Mongan called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Ellis to adjourn the meeting at 9:44 a.m.
All board agendas and minutes are available online at cherokeecounty.iowa.gov .
Attest: Kris Glienke, County Auditor
Rick Mongan, Chairman
Published in the Marcus News on November 2, 2023