The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 with Rick Mongan, Bryan Petersen, Cheryl Ellis and Dave Skou present. Duane Mummert was absent. Erin Rydgren, Chronicle Times, represented the press. Gary Lundquist, Stephanie Henrich, Kallie Baker, Sarah Tracy, Kelly Puhrmann, Kenny Schlenger, Shane Bellefy, Laura Jones, and Ryan Kolpin were also in attendance. Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows: Ayes – Ellis, Skou, Petersen, Mongan; Nayes – none; Abstentions – none.
Chairman Mongan called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Ellis to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Petersen to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
Mongan called for comments from the public. Shane Bellefy addressed the board with comments on the profitability of the ethanol plant and its potential ability to contribute more to the F Avenue project; adding that the county has probably done more financially for Little Sioux Corn Processors than they have for other businesses. Bellefy stated that there are a lot of people watching the situation play out and encouraged the board to follow advice provided by the Iowa Ethics Board regarding conflicts of interest.
At 9:02 a.m., a motion was offered by Skou and seconded by Ellis to open a public hearing for the proposed Sale of County Owned Real Estate Property. Roll call vote: Petersen-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried. Chairman Mongan asked for comments from the public.
Hearing no comments from the public and having received no written comments, a motion was made by Skou, seconded by Ellis to close the public hearing. Roll call vote: Petersen-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried.
Chairman Mongan announced that two sealed bids had been received. Mongan opened the sealed bids:

1. John Riggs – $3,000.00
2. Josh Keck – $8,150.00
   Motion by Petersen, seconded by Ellis to accept the highest bid of $8,150.00 from Josh Keck for the Washta Shed. Motion carried.
   Motion by Skou, seconded by Petersen to approve Resolution #2023-22 RESOLUTION DISPOSING OF REAL PROPERTY
   “WHEREAS, the Cherokee County, Iowa, has resolved to dispose of the following public property:
   Lot Six (6) of Block Fourteen (14) in the Original Town of Washta, Iowa, except a tract of land beginning at the Southeast Corner of Lot Six (6) in Block Fourteen (14) original town of Washta, Iowa, thence running due North along the East side of said lot a distance of Twenty-five (25) feet, thence due West a distance of Twenty-five (25) feet, thence due South a distance of Twenty-five (25) feet, thence due East a distance of Twenty-five (25) feet to the point of beginning.
   WHEREAS, public notice has been provided per Iowa Code 331.305 and 331.361 notifying the public of the intent to dispose of said public property and requesting bids on the same.
   WHEREAS, this being the time and place of said public hearing and the submitted bids being reviewed, it is hereby resolved that the property be sold to the highest bidder, Josh Keck, for the sum of $8,150.00. The Buyer will also be responsible for all abstracting costs associated with this real estate.
   WHEREAS, Cherokee County Board of Supervisors do hereby resolve to transfer by quit claim deed the above-described real property to Josh Keck.” Roll call vote: Petersen-aye, Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
   Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, reported that all construction projects have been completed for the 2023 construction season and all county roads are open to traffic.
   Stephanie Henrich, CAASA Executive Director, gave an informative presentation on services provided in Cherokee County and asked for an additional $2,000 of funding for the next budget year. The county currently provides $5,000 annually to the program. The supervisors thanked CAASA staff for providing crucial services in Cherokee County and will take the budget request under consideration.
   Hedgie Brandt, County Treasurer, presented a wage authorization for consideration.
   Motion by Petersen, seconded by Ellis to approve a $19.50 per hour wage authorization for Devynne Reis, Treasurer’s Clerk, effective January 3, 2024. Motion carried.
   Laura Jones, Conservation Director, presented a report summarizing activities of the Conservation Department during the 2022/2023 year.
   Motion by Skou, seconded by Petersen to accept the Cherokee County Conservation Board’s 2022-2023 Annual Report as presented. Motion carried.
   Motion by Skou, seconded by Petersen to approve Resolution #2023-24 Inter-Fund Operating Transfer of $50,000.00 from General Fund to Conservation Reserve Fund effective December 19, 2023. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried and resolution adopted.
   Motion by Ellis, seconded by Petersen to acknowledge a letter received from Roswitha “Hedgie” Brandt informing the board of her retirement from the Cherokee County Treasurer’s position with January 31, 2024 as her final date of employment. Motion carried.
   Ryan Kolpin, County Attorney, provided Code of Iowa references and explained the Board of Supervisors is required to fill the County Treasurer position within 40 days of the vacancy. The board has three options including calling for a Special Election; appointing someone to fill the vacancy; or taking applications from interested persons to fill the vacancy by appointment. The supervisors can notify the public in advance if they intend to fill the vacancy by appointment but cannot call for a special election until the position is vacant. Kolpin’s advice was publish notice now, accept applications from interested individuals and set up a committee to conduct interviews.
   Motion by Ellis, seconded by Petersen to fill a vacancy in the County Treasurer position by appointment and publish notice to accept applications through January 10, 2024. Motion carried.
   The supervisors provided committee reports and reviewed meeting schedules. Gary Lundquist, Landfill Representative, reported that the new building should be completed by early March.
   There being no further business, Chairman Mongan called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
   Motion by Ellis, seconded by Petersen to adjourn the meeting at 9:48 a.m.
   All board agendas and minutes are available online at cherokeecountyiowa.gov .
   Attest: Kris Glienke, County Auditor
   Rick Mongan, Chairman
   Published in the Marcus News on December 28, 2023