The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 with Bryan Petersen, Cheryl Ellis, Dave Skou, Ray Mullins II and Shane Bellefy present. Erin Rydgren, Chronicle Times, represented the press. Matt Todd, Kenny Schlenger, Derek Scott and Kelly Puhrmann were also in attendance. Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows: Ayes – Mullins, Ellis, Bellefy, Skou, Petersen; Nayes – none; Abstentions – none.
Chairman Petersen called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Skou to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Bellefy to approve the minutes of the previous meetings. Motion carried.
There were no comments from the public.
Matt Todd, Weed Commissioner, presented an annual notice for destruction of noxious weeds on private property for the board’s review and consideration.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Bellefy to approve Resolution #2025-08 “Notice for Destruction of Noxious Weeds”. Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Bellefy-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Derek Scott, County Sheriff, presented documents related to a proposed agreement continuing a Combined Emergency Response Team (CERT) and to define responsibilities of member entities.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Bellefy to authorize the chairman to sign a Tri-County Combined Emergency Response Team (CERT) Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding which shall include five area law enforcement agencies including Plymouth County, City of LeMars, Sioux County, Cherokee County and the City of Cherokee. Motion carried.
Kelly Puhrmann, County Engineer, requested permission to fill a temporary seasonal position for the summer.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Bellefy to authorize the county engineer to hire one temporary seasonal general labor position for 2025 summer projects. Motion carried.
Puhrmann reported on construction projects and discussed activities in the Secondary Roads Department.
Kenny Schlenger, Roads Superintendent, expressed concerns about large scale manure haulers traveling across load rated bridges and asked the supervisors to assist with public awareness about long-term damages to county infrastructure.
Kelly Puhrmann, County Engineer, requested a closed session to discuss a real estate lease.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Bellefy to go into closed session per Iowa Code Chapter 21.5(1)(j) “To discuss the purchase of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property.” Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Bellefy-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried and regular session was closed at 9:40 a.m.
Regular session resumed at 9:53 a.m.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Bellefy to authorize the county engineer to negotiate a rental agreement on county owned property per current contract terms. Motion carried.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Bellefy to approve the 2025/2026 Proposed Budget for publication and set a Public Budget Hearing on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 9:02 a.m. Motion carried. The Proposed 2025/2026 Budget includes tax rates per $1,000 taxable valuation of $3.90934 for urban areas and $6.78071 for rural areas.
The supervisors provided committee reports and reviewed meeting schedules.
There being no further business, Chairman Petersen called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to adjourn the meeting at 10:18 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 April 17, 2025