The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 with Rick Mongan, Bryan Petersen, Duane Mummert, Cheryl Ellis and Dave Skou present. Erin Rydgren, Chronicle Times, represented the press. Craig Schmidt, Steve Zarr, Kenny Schlenger, Sarah Tracy, Kelly Puhrmann, Joel Ehrig, Derek Scott, Nat Story and Jodi Mongan were also in attendance. Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows: Ayes – Ellis, Skou, Mummert, Petersen, Mongan; Nayes – none; Abstentions – one.
Chairman Mongan called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Skou seconded by Mongan to approve the agenda. 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.
Kelly Puhrmann, Assistant Engineer, discussed final closeouts for two local projects.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Mummert to approve a final pay voucher to Dixon Construction for Project L-83–73-18. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Skou to approve a final pay voucher to Dixon Construction for Project L-84–73-18. 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 May 28, 2024:
AgState Cherokee Agronomy
Fuel 2,268.00
Alliant Energy
Serv 183.12
Alpha Wireless Communication
Serv 202.80
Vestis
Serv 41.88
ASCENDANCE TRUCKS, LLC
Parts 1,473.42
Aurelia Lumber
Supp 246.40
Aventure Staffing
Serv 658.35
Axon Enterprise,Inc.
Equip 11,760.00
Bank of America
Supp 286.98
Caryn Barr
Elec Hrs 94.00
Bell Optical
Safety 192.46
Bomgaars
Supp 745.12
Samantha J Boothby
Reimb 69.90
Janene Braunschweig
Elec Hrs 104.00
Brave Designs
Supp 15.00
L&L Builders Co.
Serv 30,327.43
Bunkers Feed & Supply Inc
Serv 244.44
Central Bank
Supp 1,463.47
Central Iowa Distributing
Supp 578.00
CenturyLink Qwest
Serv 87.52
Cherokee State Bank Flex/Merp Flex/Self Fund 2,210.40
Cherokee Main Street Pharmacy Medication 40.98
Cherokee Regional Medical Ctr.
Health Serv 338.16
Cherokee Regional Medical CTR Contract 3,700.84
Christensen Brothers
Projects 20,151.92
Cintas
Supp 29.58
City of Cherokee
Serv 378.37
City of Meriden
Serv 25.00
CJ Cooper & Associates
Serv 10.00
Classic Plastics Corp.
Supp 223.97
CML Telephone Coop
Serv 801.94
Continental Fire Sprinkler Co.
Serv 300.00
Country Tire & Service, Inc.
Serv 426.87
Denison Drywall
Serv 12,825.00
Dixon Construction Co
Construction 32,583.10
Fareway Commissary
Supp 1,494.76
Foundation Analytical Lab
Serv 75.00
Frontier
Serv 259.90
Gordon Flesch Company
Serv 84.78
GovConnection, Inc.
Supp 583.78
GreatAmerica Financial Svcs
Serv 73.00
Groves Emergency Lighting LLC
Equip 9,855.02
Henry M Adkins & Son Inc
Serv 8,537.94
Dave Hickman
Elec Hrs 86.00
Holzhauer Motors LT
Serv 842.40
IA Certified Assessors
Fee 780.00
Iowa Lakes Electric Coop
Serv 705.00
IA Lakes Regional Water
Serv 65.74
Iowa Law Enforcement Academy
Serv 1,200.00
Iowa Natural Heritage
Membership 100.00
Iowa Prison Industries
Parts 8,320.57
Iowa State University
Conf Reg 125.00
IPER
Due 40.65
Jacks Uniforms & Equipment
Clothing 51.95
Joshua A Keck
Safet 29.02
Marco
Serv 316.69
Martin Marietta Material
Supp 2,654.21
Mid American Energy
Serv 2,340.24
Mid-American Benefits, Inc.
Admin Fees 619.25
Midstates Equipment & Supply
Equip 104,673.00
Midwest Lubricants, In
Supp 275.00
Midwest Technology Services
Serv 2,750.00
Midwest Wheel Companies
Parts 10.82
Modern Heating & Cooling, Inc
Serv 241.88
Motor Parts Sales
Parts 233.81
Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co
Parts 1,137.33
New Century FS
Fuel 7,487.50
Northern Iowa Construction
Supp 41,207.25
Northside Tire
Serv 410.28
Ohlson Trucking
Serv 2,465.49
Gary Olsen
Per Diem 300.00
Prestox
Serv 182.73
Rees Mack Sales & Service
Parts 10,064.52
Devynne E Reis
Reimb 26.30
Jean Rupp
Per Diem 319.40
Sanitary Services Inc
Serv 830.60
SHI International Corp
Software 319.00
Shield Technology Corporation
Software 10,807.50
Solutions, Harris Local Gov’t
Serv 43,049.37
Debie A Stevenson
Travel Reimb 49.00
Nathanial A Story
Serv 250.00
Truck Center Companies
Parts 47.15
Verizon Wireless
Serv 734.18
Visual Edge IT
Serv 108.75
Kathy Wankum
Elect Hrs 94.00
Wellmark BCBS of Iowa
Insurance 104,643.71
WHKS & Co
Serv 1,399.13
David Wilberding
Per Diem 300.00
Ziegler Inc
Supp 3,601.36
Grand Total 502,348.38
Steve Zarr, Survey Engineering Technician, presented utility permits for consideration.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for CML Telephone Cooperative in Sections 21 and 28 of Sheridan Township. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Petersen to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for Cherokee Rural Water in Sections 26 and 35 of Cedar Township. Motion carried.
Kenny Schlenger, Roads Superintendent, presented a wage authorization for consideration and discussed equipment purchases.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to approve a $26.69 per hour wage authorization for Zachary Hill, Operator, effective June 3, 2024. Motion carried.
Schlenger requested permission to trade a 2007 John Deere excavator and purchase of a new CAT 326 excavator including an additional crypto bucket.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Petersen to authorize the Secondary Roads Superintendent to purchase a new CAT 326 excavator base machine, standard bucket, and crypto bucket for $342,540.00. Motion carried.
Joel Ehrig, County Assessor, and Nat Story, Deputy Assessor, presented the 2024 Slough Bill applications for consideration.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to approve the 2024 Slough Bill applications as presented including tax exempt status for 3,599.39 acres of private properties classified as: Open Prairie & Forest Cover, Wildlife, Wetland, Native Prairie and Federal Forest Reserve. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Mummert to acknowledge an $87,023.00 (2.38% increase) salary adjustment for Joel Ehrig, County Assessor, effective July 1, 2024 as previously approved by the Assessor’s Conference Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Skou to acknowledge a $65,267.25 (2.38% increase) salary adjustment for Nathanial Story, Deputy Assessor, effective July 1, 2024 as previously approved by the Assessor’s Conference Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Ellis to acknowledge a $52,213.80 (7% increase) salary adjustment for Nissa White, Assessor’s Office Manager, effective July 1, 2024 as previously approved by the Assessor’s Conference Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to acknowledge a $22.15 per hour (65 cent increase) wage adjustment for Lacey Daum, Assessor’s Appraiser/Clerk, effective July 1, 2024 as previously approved by the Assessor’s Conference Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to approve a $65,875.00 wage authorization to appoint Kaitlin Letsche as Deputy Auditor effective July 1, 2024. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to approve a $19.00 per hour wage authorization for Brynn Pritts, Dispatcher, effective May 29, 2024. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mummert to approve a $20.75 per hour wage authorization for Linda Flewelling, Treasurer Clerk, effective June 10, 2024. Motion carried with Mongan abstaining.
The supervisors discussed a department request to provide additional vacation benefits for newly hired employees.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to update language in the Cherokee County Personnel Policy for the purpose of providing additional vacation benefits for newly hired employees stating “All newly hired regular full-time employees shall accrue 40 hours of vacation during their first year of employment on a pay period basis. The regular vacation schedule shall become effective on their first anniversary.” The new policy language will become effective on June 1, 2024 and vacation hours will be prorated for employees hired since June 1, 2023. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mummert to appoint Bill Anderson as Cherokee County’s representative on the Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority board with a three year term ending December 31, 2026. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Ellis to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2025 county funding of covered services provided by CAASA for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Petersen to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2025 county funding of covered services provided by the Cherokee Library for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Mummert to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2025 county funding of covered services provided by the Cherokee Trails Project for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Skou to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2025 county funding of covered services provided by Connections Area Agency on Aging for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Petersen to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2025 county funding of covered services provided by the Family Crisis Center for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Skou to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2025 county funding of covered services provided by the Marcus Golf Clubhouse Project for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Petersen to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2025 county funding of covered services provided by the Marcus Historical Society 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 2025 county funding of covered services provided by the Marcus Library for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Petersen to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2025 county funding of covered services provided by the Washta Library for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
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 Ellis, seconded by Skou to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 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 June 20, 2024.