The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 with Rick Mongan, Gary Lundquist, Bryan Petersen, and Wane Miller present. Duane Mummert was absent. There were no representatives from the press. William Gauthier, Peter Cosgrove, Justin Pritts, Brynn Pritts and Sarah Tracy were also in attendance. Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows: Ayes –Mongan, Petersen, Miller, Lundquist; Nayes – none; Abstentions – none.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Wane Miller, Veteran Affairs Commission.
Motion by Miller, seconded by Petersen to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Miller, seconded by Lundquist to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
Motion by Lundquist, seconded by Petersen to approve the claims for payment as presented. Motion carried. A complete listing is available for review in the County Auditor’s office and online.
Claims Approved January 25, 2022:
Meredith J Aguirre
Travel Reimb 21.50
Alliant Energy
Serv 899.11
Alpha Wireless Communications
Serv 521.20
Arnold Motor Supply
Parts 128.35
Aurelia Lumber
Supp 688.43
Robert Berger
Travel Reimb 190.00
Bomgaars
Supp 841.81
Boothby Funeral Home
Serv 1,500.00
Samantha J Boothby
Reimb 45.85
George Brewer
Reimb 35.99
Campbell Supply Co
Parts 291.04
CB Household Hazardous Waste
Serv 168.00
Central Bank
Supp 332.60
CenturyLink Qwest
Serv 157.81
Cherokee Chamber of
Commerce
Dues 175.00
Cherokee County EMS Assoc
Alloc 5,000.00
Cherokee County Engineer
Fuel 82.80
Cherokee County Extension
Dues 120.00
Cherokee County Solid Waste
Approp 22,688.33
Cherokee State Bank
Flex/Self Fund 2,994.81
Cherokee Regional Medical Ctr.
Health Serv 946.00
Chronicle Times
Publ 187.86
Cintas
Supp 54.01
City of Cherokee
Serv 354.91
CJ Cooper & Associates
Serv 230.00
CML Telephone Coop
Serv 32.36
Counsel
Serv 39.00
Dearborn National Life Insur
Life Ins 901.87
Joseph W Draper
Per Diem 50.00
Don Drefke
Per Diem 50.00
Kelly Ebel
Reimb 38.50
Jerry Ebert
ROW 6,147.64
First Cooperative Association
Fuel 18,956.84
First National Bank of Omaha
Supp 21.39
FORCE America
Distributing,LLC
Parts 59.82
Lee Foresman
Per Diem 25.00
Foundation Analytical Lab
Serv 28.75
Fox Hydraulics
Parts 200.00
Frontier
Serv 129.95
William Gauthier
Per Diem 50.00
Dale Glienke
Per Diem 20.00
GovConnection, Inc.
Supp 1,511.62
Grainger
Parts 329.29
Graves Construction Co., Inc
Construction 8,567.04
GreatAmerica Financial Svcs
Serv 54.73
Growmark FS
Fuel 9,272.80
Hy-Vee Inc.
Supp 43.17
Intab Inc
Supp 255.98
Interstate Battery System
Parts 329.85
Iowa Lakes Electric Coop
Serv 2,118.64
IA Lakes Regional Water
Serv 77.04
Iowa State University
Reg Fees 1,080.00
Iowa Weed Commissioners Conf.
Dues 180.00
ISAA Secretary-Treasurer
Memberships 680.00
Jacks Uniforms & Equipment
Clothing 157.90
Janitor’s Closet, Ltd
Supp 238.59
Julius Cleaners
Serv 35.20
KCHE
Publ 90.00
Joseph Kessenich
ROW 3,653.30
Klass Law Firm, LLP
Serv 1,203.50
Koenig Portable Toilets
Serv 99.50
Thomas J Kohn
Reimb 61.00
Mid American Energy
Serv 950.57
Mid States Organized Crime
Membership 100.00
Mid-American Benefits, Inc.
Caf Admin Fees 55.00
Midwest Technology Services
Serv 127.50
Wane A Miller
Per Diem 50.00
Mills & Miller, Inc.
Salt 3,811.50
Motor Parts Sales
Parts 196.69
NACVSO
Fee 50.00
Northside Tire
Serv 342.51
O’Halloran International
Parts 442.17
One Office Solution
Supp 115.78
Pakor, Inc
Supp 290.33
Pilot Rock Sign Shop
Supp 1,094.90
PJ Greufe & Associates
Serv 1,500.00
Power Systems AHS,LLC
Supp 188.78
Prestox
Serv 147.00
Timothy Rice
Stipend 5,000.00
Sanitary Services Inc
Serv 119.10
Lance Shafer
Per Diem 20.00
The Sidwell Company
Serv 1,576.58
SRF Consulting Group, Inc
Serv 2,746.23
State Steel of Spencer
Supp 2,148.85
Stivers Ford Lincoln
Vehicle 36,000.00
The Storm Lake Times
Publ 963.06
T & L TOOLS
Supp 101.85
Tools & Machinery
Parts 172.53
Treasurer State of Iowa Mines
Mining 490.00
Treasurer State of Iowa
Sales Tax 649.00
Triple C Pest Control
Serv 80.00
Truck Center Companies East
Parts 5,574.67
U.S. Police Canine Assoc
Regist 100.00
Verizon Wireless
Serv 181.73
Wellmark BCBS of Iowa
Insurance 96,571.20
WesTel Systems
Serv 405.59
Dustin Wieland
Per Diem 20.00
Windstream Iowa-Comm. Inc.
Serv 145.86
Ziegler Inc
Supp 479.90
Grand Total $258,454.56

Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, presented utility permits for consideration.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Miller to approve a permit on county right of way for MidAmerican Energy to spray trees and brush under powerlines in Cherokee County. Motion carried.
Motion by Lundquist, seconded by Petersen to approve an underground construction on county right of way application for MidAmerican Energy in Sections 1, 2 and 3 of Amherst Township; Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Sheridan Township; and Sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 of Cherokee Township. Motion carried.
Cherokee Regional Medical Center Ambulance/EMS representatives Ben Schilmoeller, Alan Faith, Melissa Cunningham and Gary Jordan provided a review of ambulance services and reported 1144 calls in 2020 and 1373 calls in 2021. Shilmoeller stated CRMC has two ambulance crews staffed 24/7 with the 1st team dedicated to 911 calls and the 2nd team is available to take transfers, respond to other emergencies within the hospital or take additional 911 calls. Schilmoeller requested the same budget amounts for 2022/2023 including $50,000 for CRMC ambulance replacement; $13,875 for CRMC ambulance services; and $130,000 for CRMC paramedic/EMS wages. The supervisors thanked Cherokee Regional Medical Center staff for their services provided to the public.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Miller to accept a resignation from Kirk Nelson, Pitcher Township Trustee, due to moving out of the township. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Lundquist to appoint Kale Nelson as Pitcher Township Trustee to fill the remaining term. Motion carried.
Motion by Lundquist, seconded by Petersen to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2022 county funding of covered services provided by the Marcus Fire Department Ambulance Service for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Miller to approve a “Cherokee County Provider and Program Participation Agreement” for fiscal year 2022 county funding of covered services provided by the Marcus Fire Department Building Project for the benefit of Cherokee County citizens and individuals. Motion carried.
The supervisors provided committee reports and reviewed meeting schedules.
Mongan called for comments from the public. Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, reported on bid letting for three box culverts that appear to be bid at reasonable project costs and also informed the board that the Secondary Roads Department will be using Purple Wave to auction off older and unused equipment including a dragline and rock crusher. Tracy reported that interviews are being conducted to fill an open Operator position. Justin Pritts, Emergency Management Coordinator, discussed current stocks of PPE in the county’s warehouse and reported on difficulties in purchasing a new truck for his department.
The supervisors continued to review cash balances and tax revenue options for the 2022/2023 fiscal year.
After hearing the supervisors discuss their desire to maintain or reduce property taxes for the next budget year, Peter Cosgrove remarked on the importance of retaining quality employees in a competitive work environment and suggested a small property tax increase would be justified for this reason.
There being no further business, Chairman Mongan called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Miller to adjourn the meeting at 11:03 a.m.
All board agendas and minutes are available online at www.cherokeecountyiowa.com .
Attest: Kris Glienke, County Auditor
Rick Mongan, Chairman
Published in the Marcus News February 10, 2022.