The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 with Bryan Petersen, Cheryl Ellis, Dave Skou, Ray Mullins II and Shane Bellefy present. Madeline Combs, Storm Lake Times, and Erin Rydgren, Chronicle Times, represented the press. Gary Lundquist, Don Fiser, Kelly Puhrmann, Chuck Stubbe, Sam Boothby, Jodi Mongan, Justin Pritts, Kenny Schlenger, Stu Hogg and Derek Scott were also in attendance. Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows: Ayes – Mullins, Ellis, Bellefy, Skou, Petersen; Nayes – one; Abstentions – none.
Chairman Petersen called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Bellefy to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Bellefy to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
There were no comments from the public.
Kelly Puhrmann, County Engineer, presented a detour agreement for consideration and reported that the F Avenue Project bid letting is on schedule for January 22nd.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Ellis to approve an agreement with IDOT for use of Cherokee County roadways as a detour route while the Highway 3 Bypass bridge is updated. Motion carried.
Puhrmann presented highlights of the proposed 2025/2026 budget for the Engineer/Secondary Roads Department.
Kris Glienke, County Auditor, presented highlights of her proposed 2025/2026 budget.
Jodi Mongan, County Treasurer, presented a revenue report and two wage authorizations for consideration.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to accept the Treasurer’s December 31, 2024 Semi-Annual Cash Settlement Report as presented. Motion carried. The County’s December 30, 2024 total cash on hand was $17,085,712.17 which includes a $9,836,183.89 balance in the Secondary Roads Fund.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Bellefy to approve a $62,000.00 (80% of Treasurer’s salary) wage authorization for Debie Stevenson, Deputy Treasurer, effective January 1, 2025. Motion carried with Skou voting nay.
Mongan presented an additional wage authorization request for Debie Stevenson, Deputy Treasurer, to be moved up to $66,582.00 (85% of Treasurer’s salary) effective July 1, 2025. Ellis requested action to be tabled and asked Mongan to bring the wage proposal back to the board closer to the beginning of the fiscal year for consideration at that time.
Mongan presented highlights of her proposed 2025/2026 budget.
Sam Boothby, County Recorder, presented highlights of her proposed 2025/2026 budget.
Justin Pritts, Environmental Health/Emergency Management, presented highlights of his proposed 2025/2026 budget.
Stu Hogg, IT Director, presented highlights of his proposed 2025/2026 budget.
Ryan Kolpin, County Attorney, was unavailable to present his budget and will be rescheduled.
Motion by Bellefy, seconded by Skou to appoint Paul Pingel as Afton Township Trustee with term ending December 31, 2028. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Mullins to approve a separation of employment and $3,310.99 final payout of hours worked, vacation, and comp time for Joshua Keck, Shop Foreman, effective January 20, 2025. Motion carried.
The supervisors provided committee reports and reviewed meeting schedules.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to go into closed session per Iowa Code Chapter 21.5(1)(c). Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Bellefy-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried and session was closed at 10:30 a.m.
Regular session resumed at 10:53 a.m.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Bellefy to authorize Iowa Communities Assurance Pool (ICAP) to issue payment per terms of a settlement agreement. Motion carried.
There being no further business, Chairman Petersen called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Bellefy to adjourn the meeting at 11:01 a.m.
All board agendas and minutes are available online at cherokeecounty.iowa.gov .
Attest: Kris Glienke, County Auditor
Bryan Petersen, Chairman
Published in the Marcus News on February 6, 2024