The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 with Bryan Petersen, Cheryl Ellis, Dave Skou and Ray Mullins II present. Shane Bellefy was unable to be in attendance. There were no representatives from the press. Tony Puffett, Chuck Stubbe, Ramona Nitz and Kelly Puhrmann were also in attendance. Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows: Ayes – Mullins, Ellis, 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 Skou, seconded by Ellis to approve the minutes of the previous meetings. Motion carried.
Chairman Petersen call for comments from the public. Ramona Nitz offered comments on numerous topics.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Ellis to open the Public Hearing to consider Lease of Real Property in 30-93-39. Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried.
There were no comments from the public.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to close the Public Hearing to consider Lease of Real Property in 30-93-39. Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Skou to approve #2026-11 Resolution to Lease Real Property
“WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors for Cherokee County, Iowa, has resolved to enter into a farm lease of the following public property for three (3) yeas:
A parcel of land described as being a part of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (SE ¼ NW ¼) and a part of the Northeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter (NE ¼ SW ¼) both in Section thirty (30), Township Ninety-three (93) North, Range Thirty-nine (39) West of the 5th P.M., Cherokee County, Iowa, further described as follows:
Beginning at the Northeast corner of the Southeast ¼ of the Northwest ¼ of said Section 30; thence South 00°08’20” West on the East line of the Southeast ¼ of the Northeast ¼ of said Section 30, a distance of 1321.55 feet to the Southeast corner of the Northwest ¼ of said Section 30, also being a point on the Centerline of a Local County Road; thence South 35°03’54” West on said Centerline, a distance of 379.63 feet to the point of curvature of a tangent curve, concave to the Northwest, having a radius of 2399.50 feet and a central angle of 11°28’34”; thence Southwesterly along said curve and said Centerline, a distance of 480.61 feet; thence North 00°08’20” East, a distance 2001.36 feet to a point on the North line of the Southeast ¼ of the Northwest ¼ of said Section 30; thence South 89°21’53” East on said North line, a distance of 530.02 feet to the Point of Beginning; said described Parcel A contains a total of 20.51 acres, inclusive of a Public Roadway Easement of 0.66 acres. Said Parcel A is also subject to any and all other Easements of Record.
For the purpose of this Survey, the East line of the Southeast ¼ of the Northwest ¼ of said Section 30 is assumed to bear South 00°08’20” West.
Said real estate has 18.91 tillable acres.
WHEREAS, Public Notice has been provided per Iowa Code Section 331.305 and 331.361 notifying the public of the intent to lease to Mike Mummert in the amount of $285.00 per acre. The lease amount will be subject to an annual review and any potential increase of mining on the property. Any annual lease amount will be reduced by any reduction of the number of acres to be leased.
NOW, THEREFORE, Cherokee County Board of Supervisors do hereby resolve to lease for three (3) years the above-described real property to Mike Mummert.”
Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to open the Public Hearing to consider Lease of Real Property in 15-90-41. Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried.
There were no comments from the public.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to close the Public Hearing to consider Lease of Real Property in 15-90-41. Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to approve #2026-12 Resolution to Lease Real Property
“WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors for Cherokee County, Iowa, has resolved to enter into a farm (pasture) lease of the following public property for three (3) years:
Parcel “B”, a parcel of land described as being a part of Parcel “A” (Doc. #2018-1108, Cherokee County Recorder’s Office) of the North Half of the Northwest Quarter (N ½ NW ¼) of Section Fifteen (15), Township Ninety (90) North, Range Forty-one (41) West of the 5th P.M., Cherokee County, Iowa, further described as follows:
Beginning at the Northeast corner of the Northwest Quarter (NW ¼) of said Section Fifteen (15), also being the Northeast corner of said Parcel “A” (the following nine courses are common to said Parcel “A”); thence South 03°28’39” West on the East line of the Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (NE ¼ NW ¼) of said Section Fifteen (15), a distance of 1338.33 feet to the Southeast Corner of the Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (NE ¼ NW ¼) of said Section Fifteen (15); thence South 88°01’10” West on the South line of the North Half of the Northwest Quarter (N ½ NW ¼) of said Section Fifteen (15), a distance of 1668.10 feet; thence North 25°54’54” East, a distance of 579.38 feet; thence North 87°41’13” East, a distance of 324.62 feet; thence North 03°59’46” East, a distance of 279.10 feet; thence South 86°53’34” East, a distance of 87.24 feet; thence North 41°46’38” East, a distance of 77.37 feet; thence North 13°01’45” East, a distance of 551.80 feet to a point on the North line of the Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (NE ¼ NW ¼) of said Section Fifteen (15); thence South 89°22’32” East on said North line a distance of 3.13 feet; thence South 07°13’51” West, a distance of 374.66 feet; thence South 83°52’32” East, a distance of 290.13 feet; thence South 00°19’49” East, a distance of 129.23 feet; thence South 87°04’32” East, a distance of 455.01 feet; thence North 44°22’52” East, a distance of 159.66 feet; thence North 04°11’23” East, a distance of 432.97 feet to a point on the North line of the Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (NE ¼ NW ¼) of said Section Fifteen (15); thence South 89°22’32” East on said North line, a distance of 45.29 feet to the Point of Beginning; said described Parcel “B” contains 28.26 acres and is subject to any and all Easements, be they of record or not.
WHEREAS, Public Notice has been provided per Iowa Code Section 331.305 and 331.361 notifying the public of the intent to lease to Nathaniel Morgan in the amount of $50.00 per acre. The lease amount will be subject to an annual review and any potential increase of mining on the property. Any annual lease amount will be reduced by any reduction of the number of acres to be leased.
NOW, THEREFORE, Cherokee County Board of Supervisors do hereby resolve to lease for three (3) years the above-described real property to Nathaniel Morgan.”
Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Kelly Puhrmann, County Engineer, presented documents drafted by the county attorney for leasing tillable acres owned by the county.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Ellis to approve #2026-13 Resolution of Desire to Lease Real Property in S20-T93-R39 and to set a Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
“WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors for Cherokee County, Iowa, desire to enter into a three (3) year farm lease for the following described real property:
Parcel #1, the 22.70 acres of the South Half of the Southwest Quarter (S½ SW¼); Parcel #2, 1.87 acres of the North Half of the Southwest Quarter (N½ SW¼); and Parcel #3, 1.88 acres of the North Half of the Southwest Quarter (N½ SW¼), all in Section 20, Township 93 North, Range 39 West of the 5th P.M.
Parcel #1 consists of tillable ground. Parcel #2 and Parcel #3 consist of pasture ground.
WHEREAS, Cherokee County Board of Supervisors intends to lease the property to Doug Stowater in the amount of $178.64 per acre.
WHEREAS, Cherokee County Board of Supervisors believe said lease to be in the best interest of the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Supervisors for Cherokee County, Iowa, hereby resolves to enter into a three (3) year farm lease of the above-described real estate to Doug Stowater under the terms and conditions listed above.
Further, the Board of Supervisors for Cherokee County resolve that said lease should occur following published notice as provided in Iowa Code Section 331.305.”
Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Puhrmann presented a wage authorization and discussed activities in the Secondary Roads Department.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Skou to approve a $28.04 per hour wage authorization for Justin Coombs, Secondary Roads Operator, effective April 20, 2026. Motion carried.
Puhrmann reported that he has been gathering information and samples of ordinances for battery storage facilities and will be working with Zoning Board members to begin the process to adopt an ordinance in Cherokee County. The supervisors requested frequent updates from Puhrmann to keep the process moving forward.
Nancy Nelson, Green Pastures Country Boutique, requested one block of L51 in downtown Quimby to be temporarily closed for a vendor event on April 25, 2026. Quimby City staff have historically taken on the responsibility of closing off L51 through town using city barricades and detour signs and the City of Quimby has provided sufficient insurance coverage for events held within city limits.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to approve a temporary closure of L51 through Quimby on April 25, 2026 for the purpose of a vendor fair with an agreement that the City of Quimby will be responsible for all liabilities that may be incurred during this event and that Quimby City crews will be responsible for placing and removing detour signs and barricades before, during and after the event. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to authorize the chairman to sign a letter of support for a Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant application in support of the capital campaign led by Cherokee Regional Medical Center and Cherokee Community School District for a proposed Tennis and Pickleball Complex; and to commit a $10,000 contribution to be paid from the Rural Betterment Fund. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to approve the 2026/2027 Proposed Budget for publication and set a Public Budget Hearing on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Motion carried. The Proposed 2026/2027 Budget includes tax rates per $1,000 taxable valuation of $3.88871 for urban areas and $6.70378 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 Mullins, seconded by Ellis to adjourn the meeting at 9:48 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 16, 2026