The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 with Rick Mongan, Bryan Petersen, Duane Mummert, Cheryl Ellis and Dave Skou present. Erin Rydgren, Chronicle Times, represented the press. Tom Kohn, Laura Jones, Sarah Tracy, Kelly Puhrmann, Kenny Schlenger and Stu Hogg were also in attendance. Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows: Ayes – Ellis, Skou, Mummert, 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 Skou, seconded by Mummert to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mummert to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
There were no comments from the public.
Tom Kohn, Veteran Affairs Director, provided a detailed summary of his activities during the 2023 year. Kohn stated that Cherokee County Veterans receive 19.35% more in pensions and medical care than Iowa counties with similar Veteran populations. The applications approved during the 2023 year equate to $513,117.93 of additional tax free benefits in Cherokee County. An Annual Veterans Appreciation Day will be held in Aurelia in June 2024.
Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, presented a spreadsheet projecting future Secondary Road budgets and Five Year Construction Plan implications if the F Avenue project is not fully or partially bonded. Tracy stated that if the supervisors don’t issue bonds to pay for the project, it would drain all remaining dollars in the Secondary Road Fund which would severely limit major pavement/bridge maintenance activities and push critical infrastructure projects down the road. Tracy and her staff have determined their course of action if the board does not issue bonds: 1. No contracted bridge maintenance would happen; 2. No grading projects; 3. No contracted pavement maintenance activities including thin overlays, concrete patching, crack filling, slurry leveling or chip sealing; 4. Less contracted pavement marking maintenance; 5. Reduced new equipment budget which puts a strain on maintaining old equipment needing to be replaced.
Tracy provided a listing of bridge replacements currently included in the locally funded Five Year Construction Plan and cautioned that all local projects would need to be pushed back two to three years.
The consensus of the supervisors was to look for ways to reduce operating expenses, spread F Avenue project costs across two budget cycles and not bond unless it is absolutely necessary. When asked how much of the total project would need to be bonded, Tracy didn’t have those figures, but guestimated a minimum of three million dollars. The supervisors requested actual cost figures before any funding decisions are made and asked for an update on appraisals, right of way purchases and relocation of utilities. Tracy responded that she and her staff are still reviewing appraisal data and preparing to work with landowners. Mongan asked for specifics on the utility relocations and if there would be a cost savings from Tracy’s first prediction of a million dollar expense. Tracy replied that she thinks it will still be expensive and she can get figures from Beck Engineering. Skou asked if engineering staff can get moving on the utility move and Tracy said it was a matter of reaching out to the utility company and getting that started. No action was taken and the supervisors will review further financial information as it is provided by the County Engineer and staff.
Kenny Schlenger, Roads Superintendent, reported that his crews have been out for several days in a row and they are doing their best to open up roads for confinements. The roads department is trying to keep the public informed about road conditions through social media.
Cindy Nelson, Deputy Treasurer, presented a revenue report for consideration.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to accept the Treasurer’s December 31, 2023 Semi-Annual Cash Settlement Report as presented. Motion carried. The County’s December 30, 2023 total cash on hand was $15,808,657.54 which includes a $9,435,769.69 balance in the Secondary Roads Fund.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to authorize the chairman to sign a Service Agreement with Iowa Health and Human Services for Medicolegal Death Investigator Training. Motion carried.
The supervisors provided committee reports and reviewed meeting schedules.
Budget worksheets were reviewed for departments falling under the supervisors’ responsibility and consensus was to set their own board salaries with no increase and look for other areas to reduce expenditures. The county’s total budget will need to be trimmed to fall within property tax limitations.
There being no further business, Chairman Mongan called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Ellis to adjourn the meeting at 11:05 a.m.
All board agendas and minutes are available online at cherokeecounty.iowa.gov .
Attest: Kris Glienke, County Auditor
Rick Mongan, Chairman
Published in the Marcus News on February 1, 2024.