Cherokee County Board of Supervisors Meeting
The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 with Bryan Petersen, Cheryl Ellis, Dave Skou, Ray Mullins II and Shane Bellefy present. Madeline Combs, Chronicle Times, represented the press. Gary Lundquist, Adam Glienke, Brian Glienke, Chuck Stubbe, Gary Von Ahsen, Kim Dierenfeld, Erin Rydgren, Tony Puffett, Amy Glienke, George Wittgraf, Andrew Lundsgaard, Ramona Nitz, Derek Scott, Peter Cosgrove, Kent Ohlson, Kelly Puhrmann, Ben Metcalf, Thomas Bean, Phil Dorr and Justin Pritts 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.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Bellefy to approve the claims for payment as presented. Motion carried. A complete listing is available for review in the County Auditor’s office.

Claims Approved May 13, 2025:
AgState
Fuel 26,653.69
Ahlers & Cooney PC
Serv 3,188.70
Alpha Wireless Comm Co.
Serv 382.50
Ascendance Trucks Midwest LLC
Parts 2,547.10
Benson Construction
Serv 9,501.21
Blaine’s Culligan
Supp 194.45
Bomgaars
Supp 869.74
Cherokee Community Schools
Supp 30.00
Calhoun Burns Associates, Inc
Serv 9,156.75
Central Bank
Supp 981.46
Champion Electric
Serv 972.62
Cherokee County Engineer
Fuel 2,649.49
Cherokee County Sheriff
Fees 118.30
Cherokee County Solid Waste
Approp 22,688.33
Cherokee State Bank Flex/Merp
Flex/Self Fund 2,938.49
Cherokee Regional Medical CTR
Contract 35,695.97
Cherokee Rural Water
Serv 54.60
Christensen Brothers
Projects 148,848.92
Cherokee Chronicle Times
Publ 157.01
City of Aurelia
Serv 900.00
City of Cherokee
Serv 320.22
City of Cleghorn
TJ Pmt 138.70
City of Larrabee
TJ Pmt 170.70
City of Marcus
Serv 1,500.00
City of Meriden
Serv 25.00
City of Quimby
Serv 1,051.10
City of Washta
TJ Pmt 2,304.98
CJ Cooper & Associates
Serv 165.00
CML Telephone Coop Assn
Serv 2,605.15
Cole Papers Inc
Supp 191.01
Continental Fire Sprinkler Co
Serv 325.00
Country Tire & Service, Inc
Serv 782.04
Crawford County Sheriff
Fees 97.17
District III Treasurers Assoc.
Reg 90.00
Elan Financial Services
Supp 843.13
Eldridge-Vander Ploeg Funeral
Transport 1,532.00
Evertek, Inc.
Serv 400.00
Fareway
Groceries 2,631.55
Fareway Commissary
Supp 169.48
Feld Equipment Company
Supp 144.00
Brian Flikeid
Serv 526.50
Foundation Analytical Lab
Serv 572.25
Frank Dunn Co
Supp 989.00
Frederick Welding & Sales LLC
Supp 267.50
Adam Glienke
Per Diem 50.00
Gordon Flesch Company
Serv 88.75
GovConnection, Inc
Supp 420.70
Greenwood Schubert Funeral
Serv 3,722.40
Hallett Materials
Gravel 18,739.66
High Country Auto
Serv 1,411.00
Hirschman Fabrication
Parts 180.00
Holiday Inn Des Moines
Lodging 403.20
Steven Holmes
Safety 150.48
Hwy 3 Arms & Ammo
Supp 2,064.30
Hy-Vee Inc.
Supp 49.32
Iowa Comm.Assurances Pool
Insur 2,500.00
Ida County Sheriff
Fees 55.22
Interstate Battery System
Parts 57.00
Iowa Dept of Public Safety
Serv 6,132.00
Iowa Department of Revenue
Groceries 57.25
Iowa Prison Industries
Parts 885.72
Jack’s Uniforms & Equip
Clothing 435.69
JCL Solutions
Supp 140.45
Lynne Lauck
Serv 1,542.00
Loffler Companies, INC
Supp 154.08
Jeff Lundquist
Per Diem 50.00
Mail Services, LLC
Postage 635.99
Marco Technologies LLC
Serv 517.98
Marcus Lumber
Supp 127.99
Marcus News Inc
Publ 771.32
Martin Marietta Materials
Supp 1,103.32
Mid American Energy
Serv 2,114.35
Midwest Lubricants,LLC
Supp 137.50
Midwest Tech Services LLC
Serv 4,882.88
Midwest Wheel Companies
Parts 2,373.53
Ashley Miller
Serv 1,275.00
Modern Heating & Cooling, Inc
Serv 190.64
Motor Parts Sales
Parts 1,335.14
Motorola Solutions, Inc
Supp 2,925.00
Mud On Main
LEC Staff Lodging 130.00
Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co Parts 3,513.08
Kaleb Nelson
Scholarship 700.00
Northside Tire
Serv 976.15
Nuvera
Serv 64.00
NW Iowa Yes Center
Shelter 3,346.50
O’Reilly Auto Parts
Supp 247.15
OBrien County Sheriff’s Office
Fees 49.50
Kent Ohlson
Per Diem 50.00
One Office Solution
Supp 108.23
Plymouth County Sheriff
Fees 77.30
Point C Self Fund
Admin Fees 664.25
Prestox
Serv 193.69
Raptor Enterprises, Inc.
Supp 5,988.00
Rees Mack Sales & Service
Parts 428.86
Jennifer Ann Ryen
Serv 744.00
Sanitary Services Inc
Serv 543.20
Jean L Sassman NicOls Court
Fees 55.00
Schmillen Construction Inc
Serv 29.88
SHI International Corp
Supp 539.36
Shield Technology Corporation
Software 11,313.75
Cody Simonsen
Per Diem 50.00
SIMPCO
HazMat Pmt 5,829.00
Sioux Valley Family Health
Serv 579.00
Solutions Inc Harris
Serv 50,483.23
Stanard & Associates Inc
Serv 82.00
Barbara J Staver
Travel Reimb 193.00
Jacqueline M Stephens
Serv 126.00
Barb Steward
Serv 300.00
Kirk Stowater
Safety 272.81
T & L TOOLS LLC
Supp 69.00
T Mobile
Serv 17.73
Thomson Reuters-West
Fees 1,320.94
Triple C Pest Control
Serv 110.00
Truck Center Companies East
Parts 4,553.48
U.S. Postal Service
Postage 6,000.00
Verizon Wireless
Serv 1,552.37
Vestis
Uniforms 127.65
Visual Edge IT Inc.
Serv 295.47
WesTel Systems
Serv 405.59
Western Iowa Tech
Fee 1,000.00
Woodbury County Sheriff
Fees 45.00
Timothy R Wych
Reimb 246.96
Youth Shelter Care
Shelter 139.71
Ziegler Inc
Supp 4,127.98
Consolidated Electrical Distr
Serv 1,458.29
Grand Total 453,197.78

Chairman Petersen asked for comments from the public. Ben Metcalf, TED Renewables thanked the Cherokee County Zoning Commission and Board of Supervisors for their work on the solar ordinance, however, an excessive setback will cause reduced viability of the project. Adam Glienke expressed concerns about county supervisors’ statements to the press regarding the solar energy project. Ramona Nitz asked for transparency to the public to ease their concerns about the proposed solar project. Gary Von Ahsen stated that he is a Maple River Solar Project landowner and reported that Greene County has established a 600 foot setback. Thomas Bean added that the current proposed solar ordinance is good except for the setbacks which align more with hog buildings and wind towers. Chairman Petersen thanked everyone for their comments.
Kelly Puhrmann, County Engineer, provided an update on activities in the Secondary Roads Department.
Derek Scott, County Sheriff, presented a proposal for implementing step wages for Law Enforcement Center staff.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Bellefy to approve Resolution #2025-11 Law Enforcement Center Step Wage Schedule. Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Bellefy-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Bellefy to approve Resolution #2025-12 Law Enforcement Center Step Wage Authorizations. Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Bellefy-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Ryan Kolpin, County Attorney, provided answers and recommendations to a list of questions the supervisors had after reviewing a proposed solar ordinance. Kolpin will research answers to additional questions and will report back to the supervisors at their next meeting.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Mullins to acknowledge a $72,500.00 ($5,145 increase) salary adjustment for Laura Jones, Conservation Director/Naturalist, effective July 1, 2025 as previously approved by the Cherokee County Conservation Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Bellefy to acknowledge a $16.00 per hour wage authorization for Allison Daum, Seasonal Park Technician, effective May 20, 2025 as previously approved by the Cherokee County Conservation Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Skou to acknowledge a $16.00 per hour wage authorization for Preston Spooner, Seasonal Park Technician, effective May 13, 2025 as previously approved by the Cherokee County Conservation Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to acknowledge a $25.00 per hour wage step wage authorization for Jon Welch, Conservation Technician, effective May 19, 2025 as previously approved by the Cherokee County Conservation Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Bellefy to approve a separation of employment and $1,015.76 final payout of hours worked, vacation and comp hours for Linda Flewelling, Treasurer Clerk, effective May 8, 2025. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2026 county funding of covered services provided by Cherokee County EMS Association for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Skou to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2026 county funding of covered services provided by Grand Meadow Heritage 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 2026 county funding of covered services provided by Marcus Historical Society for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Bellefy to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2026 county funding of covered services provided by Mid Sioux Opportunities 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 Petersen called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Bellefy to adjourn the meeting at 10:16 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 29, 2025

MMC CSD Board of Directors Meeting
The Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Community School District Board of Directors met in regular joint session on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the MMC Commons along with the Remsen-Union Community School District Board of Directors.
I. CALL TO ORDER Laura Staab called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL Present: Laura Staab, Kristi Letsche, Belinda Leavitt, and Dan Erickson.
Absent: Luke Olson
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Kristi Letsche moved to approve the agenda. Dan Erickson seconded. Carried 4-0
IV. PUBLIC FORUM
No requests were received from the public to address the board.
V. PUBLIC HEARING
The public hearing for the FY25 budget amendment was held. No written or oral comments were received by the board.
VI. CONSENT ITEMS
A. MINUTES
B. FINANCIAL REPORTS
C. BILLS Belinda Leavitt moved to approve the consent items. Kristi Letsche seconded. Carried 4-0
VII. BUSINESS
A. STAFF RESIGNATIONS/HIRES
Hires: Colin Youde-Part-time Groundskeeper
Resignations: Paige Staab-Elem Para, Kobey Peterson-Part-time Custodian
Belinda Leavitt moved to approve the resignations/hires. Kristi Letsche seconded.
Carried 4-0
B. SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH AGREEMENT WITH PLAINS AREA Dan Erickson moved to approve the 2025-26 contract with Plains Area Mental Health, Inc. Belinda Leavitt seconded.
Carried 4-0
C. SUMMER READING CONTRACTS Kristi Letsche moved to approve summer reading contracts with Jen Nieuwenhuis and Megan Letsche. Belinda Leavitt seconded.
Carried 4-0
D. FY25 BUDGET AMENDMENT
Belinda Leavitt moved to approve the FY25 budget amendment. Dan Erickson seconded.
Carried 4-0
E. EQUIPMENT BREAKDOWN RENEWAL Dan Erickson moved to approve the equipment maintenance insurance policy from SU Insurance Company. Kristi Letsche seconded.
Carried 4-0
F. SkillsUSA NATIONAL COMPETITION TRIP TO ATLANTA Belinda Leavitt moved to approve the SkillsUSA travel request. Dan Erickson seconded.
Carried 4-0
G. SCHOOL SAFETY APP Belinda Leavitt moved to approve signing a one-year contract for an accident incident management subscription with Aegix AIM. Kristi Letsche seconded.
Carried 4-0
VIII. REPORTS
A. PRINCIPAL’S REPORTS
B. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
IX. ADJOURN
Kristi Letsche moved to adjourn from regular session at 8:29 p.m. Dan Erickson seconded. Carried 4-0
Laura Staab, President
Bobbi Riedemann, Board Secretary
Published in the Marcus News on May 29, 2025

MMC CSD
May 2025 Bills
CCESS SYSTEMS- LEASING
673.68
ACCESS SYSTEMS 1,275.7
130.60
AGSTATE 175.30
AHLERS & COONEY 82.50
ALL FOR KIDZ 1,484.95
AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES
6,552.41
ANDERSON, CURT 420.00
BLAINE’S CULLIGAN &
SUNDANCE SPAS 201.95
BOMGAARS 313.63
BUILDERS SHARPENING &
SERVICE 10,563.30
CARLS BODY SHOP 57.50
CAROLINA BIOLOGICAL
SUPPLY CO. 931.15
CASEYS BAKERY 1,432.61
CENTRAL INSURE 1,700.00
CHRONICLE TIMES 350.00
CITY OF MARCUS 978.11
CLAYTON RIDGE CSD 836.28
COLE PAPERS INC 484.89
COUNTRY TIRE AND
SERVICE INC 357.40
COUNTRYSIDE VETERINARY
CLINIC 25.65
DOELLINGER, MELISSA 500.00
DOROTHY PECAUT NATURE
CENTER 60.00
FELTS, KEVIN 4,417.25
FLOYD VALLEY HEALTHCARE
200.00
FREDERES PLUMBING &
HEATING INC. 1,286.54
GALVA-HOLSTEIN CSD 60.00
GOLDEN PHEASANT 992.00
GOVCONNECTION, INC
27,038.53
HANSEN, MATT 738.30
HAUFF/MRG LLC 515.00
I-STATE TRUCK CENTER 505.84
INSTRUMENTALIST AWARDS LLC
24.50
IOWA FOOTBALL COACHES
ASSOCIATION 55.00
IOWA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC
ASSOCIATION 22.00
IOWA HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH
ASSOCIATION 277.00
JEFF’S FOODS 515.78
KEMPS – LEMARS 1,996.74
LAUNCHPAD 234.00
LINDE GAS & EQUIPMENT INC
997.83
MARCUS LUMBER COMPANY
1,346.72
MARCUS NEWS 190.00
MARTIN BROS DISTRIBUTING
CO INC 10,706.83
MEANS, KIM 1,725.00
MEYER, BECKY 500.00
MID AMERICAN ENERGY
COMPANY 4,822.21
MIDWESTERN MECHANICAL, INC 1,015.00
MMC ACTIVITY 35.00
MOTOR PARTS SALES #3 292.93
MRS. B’S 610.22
PLUNKETT’S / VARMENT GUARD
164.16
POCAHONTAS CSD 125.00
QUILL CORPORATION 280.96
REGENNITTER, ALECIA 41.50
RIVERSIDE INSIGHTS 334.40
RIVERSIDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC 3,092.58
RODER GAS & OIL INC. 4,789.27
SANITARY SERVICES, INC
878.30
SCHMILLEN
CONSTRUCTION, INC. 2,147.74
STATE STEEL SUPPLY COMPANY
240.89
TEACHER SYNERGY, LLC 73.45
THOMAS BUS SALES
OF IOWA, INC. 88.28
TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES INC
118.61
UNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL 120.00
VAN RENSBURG, HEINO JANS
15.00
VENTRIS LEARNING 160.00
VISA – ELAN FINANCIAL
SERVICES 9,628.66
WALSWORTH PUBLISHING
COMPANY 1,325.06
WESTEL 648.58
WILLOW CREEK GOLF COURSE 300.00
YOUDE, COLIN 41.10
Published in the Marcus News on May 29, 2025