The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 with Bryan Petersen, Cheryl Ellis, Dave Skou, Ray Mullins II and Shane Bellefy present. Erin Rydgren, Chronicle Times, and Madeline Combs, Storm Lake Times, represented the press. Gary Lundquist, Niels Lundsgaard, John Nitz, Tony Puffett, Tyler Hahn, Ned Lundsgaard, Steve Zarr, Elias Toshira, Bill Keeney, Justin Pritts, Kelly Puhrmann, Stu Hogg and Chuck Stubbe 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 Ellis to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Bellefy, seconded by Skou to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
Chairman Petersen asked for comments from the public. Elias Toshira, TED Renewables, praised the Zoning Commission and Zoning Administrator for their work on the proposed solar ordinance referring to the conduct of a recent meeting as an example of good government at work. Concerns about setbacks were voiced by Toshira, Niels Lundsgaard, Ned Lundsgaard and John Nitz. Chairman Petersen thanked the gentlemen for their comments.
Kelly Puhrmann, County Engineer, presented real estate lease documents and provided an update on activities in the Secondary Roads Department.
Motion by Bellefy, seconded by Skou to approve publication of a Desire to Lease Real Estate Property and to set a public hearing on May 20, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. Motion carried.
Puhrmann presented a draft solar ordinance as recommended by the Cherokee County Zoning Commission. Chairman Petersen thanked the Zoning Commission for their work on the document and advised that the supervisors will take the ordinance under consideration.
Motion by Bellefy, seconded by Ellis to approve a proposed 2024/2025 budget amendment for publication and set a public hearing for 9:02 a.m. on May 20, 2025. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Bellefy to approve a $6,203.00 proposal from Elevate Roofing, Denison, for roof repair at the Lake Street building. Motion carried.
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 Skou, seconded by Bellefy to adjourn the meeting at 9:29 a.m.
All board agendas and minutes are available online at cherokeecounty.iowa.gov .
Bryan Petersen, Chairman
Kris Glienke, County Auditor
Published in the Marcus News on May 15, 2025