The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 with Bryan Petersen, Cheryl Ellis, Dave Skou and Ray Mullins II present. Shane Bellefy was unable to be in attendance. Tom Cullen, Chronicle Times, represented the press. Kelly Puhrmann, Marla Conley, Chuck Stubbe, Dave Ellis, Kellen Ludvigson, Matt Hoskinson, Sam Boothby, Stu Hogg and Justin Pritts were also in attendance. Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows: Ayes – Mullins, Ellis, Skou, Petersen; Nayes – none; Abstentions – one.
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 meeting. Motion carried.
Chairman Petersen asked for comments from the public.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to open a public hearing for the proposed 2026/2027 fiscal year budget. Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried. Chairman Petersen asked for comments from the public.
Hearing no comments, a motion was made by Ellis, seconded by Mullins to close the public hearing. Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Skou to adopt Resolution #2026-14 Adopting a Salary Schedule for 2026/2027 elected officials as listed: Attorney $126,741; Auditor $83,000; Recorder $83,000; Sheriff $110,000; Treasurer $83,000 and Supervisors $32,518 with a $1,500 additional stipend for the Chairman. Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to adopt Resolution #2026-15 to Approve the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Budget and Certification of Taxes as published. 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 20-93-39. 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 Mullins to close the Public Hearing to consider Lease of Real Property in 20-93-39. Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Skou to approve #2026-16 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) years:
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, Public Notice has been provided per Iowa Code Section 331.305 and 331.361 notifying the public of the intent to lease to Doug Stowater in the amount of $178.64 per acre
WHEREAS, Cherokee County Board of Supervisors do hereby resolve to lease for three (3) years the above-described real property to Doug Stowater.”
Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
Kelly Puhrmann, County Engineer, presented utility permits for consideration and provided an update on activities in the Secondary Roads and Zoning Departments.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mullins to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative in Sections 2 and 12 of Liberty Township. Motion carried.
Motion by Mullins, seconded by Ellis to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative in Sections 22, 23, 25, 26 and 27 of Pilot Township. Motion carried.
Puhrmann provided an update on activities in the Secondary Roads Department and reported that a Zoning Board meeting will be held next week to review examples of battery storage ordinances.
Sam Boothby, County Recorder, presented a revenue report for consideration.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to approve the County Recorder’s $92,884.94 March 31, 2026 Quarterly Revenue Report with $30,370.87 retained by the county. Motion carried.
Matt Hoskinson, Cherokee Cross Country Coach, reported on a night cross country and golfing event that is being organized in September. Total budget for the event is approximately $40,000 and Hoskinson requested $5,000 to $10,000 of funds from the county.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mullins to contribute $5,000 to the Cherokee Cross County Evening Event with payment from the Rural Betterment Fund. Motion carried with Ellis abstaining.
Kellen Ludvigson, Cherokee Aviation Authority, provided an update on a fuel system project and requested additional funding due to bids coming in $249,000 higher than engineer estimates.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Mullins to contribute $100,000 to the Cherokee Aviation Authority fuel system upgrade project with payment from the Rural Betterment Fund. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Skou to approve a proposed 2025/2026 budget amendment for publication and set a public hearing for 9:00 a.m. on May 12, 2026. Roll call vote: Mullins-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye. 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 Mullins, seconded by Skou to adjourn the meeting at 9:51 a.m.
All board agendas and minutes are available online at cherokeecounty.iowa.gov.
Attest: _____
Bryan Petersen, Chairman
Kris Glienke, County Auditor