BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
WASHINGTON COUNTY, IOWA
REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2024
At 9:00 am Chair Richard Young called the meeting to order in regular session, Courthouse Chambers. Items on the agenda included: discussion/possible action re: membership in the Iowa Travel Industry Partners organization; discussion/possible action re: the collection and disposal of tires retrieved from the Skunk River; review of Secondary Road Use Policy; discussion/possible action re: FY25 Fuel Contract Bid; personnel change requests–Secondary Roads; Quarterly Report–Secondary Roads; discussion/ possible action re: proposed changes to Washington County Employee Handbook; personnel change request–Washington County Ambulance Services; discussion/action re: policy for Washington County Ambulance Services to pursue by way of a small claims judgment the satisfaction of delinquent amounts owed; closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(i), to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session; discussion/possible action re: the open position of Director of Washington County Ambulance Services; official canvass of the June 4, 2024, Washington County Primary Election. Supervisors Bob Yoder, Jack Seward Jr., Stan Stoops, and Marcus Fedler were also in attendance.
All motions were passed unanimously unless noted otherwise.
The Board voted to approve the agenda as published.
Citizen Dana Peck of Wellman offered her opinion that the Board failed to fulfill its obligations to former Washington County Ambulance Services (WCAS) Director Jeremy Peck who resigned effective February 29, 2024. Citizen Ethel Bontrager of Kalona expressed that the Board specifically failed to provide a letter of commendation to Peck that had been earlier agreed upon. Citizen Merle Bontrager of Wellman expressed that many things related to WCAS had been handled incorrectly and he questioned why Kalona had 3rd shift ambulance coverage while Wellman did not.
Michelle Redlinger, on behalf of the Iowa Travel Industry Partners (ITIP), encouraged the Board to become a member of the ITIP organization at an annual cost of $500.00. The Board voted to contribute $500.00 to become a member of the Iowa Travel Industry Partners organization. The vote on the motion: Aye-Young, Stoops, Yoder; Nay-Fedler, Seward.
At its meeting held May 7, 2024, the Board heard a presentation from Seth Zimmerman on behalf of Iowa Project AWARE. Zimmerman described the group as a Watershed Awareness River Expedition group whose intended purpose is to educate participants while improving the health of Iowa’s rivers and streams. Participants will gather at Lake Darling on Sunday, July 7, 2024, before concluding their journey on Friday, July 12, 2024. As they travel by canoe down the Skunk River the volunteer participants will remove, among other things, tires which will be deposited along the shoreline in order to be picked up and disposed of. Stoops presented to the Board the opportunity to participate in the efforts of Iowa Project AWARE by providing financial support for the cost of preparing the tires to be recycled. Such costs may include cleaning and/or separating tires from the rims and placing the tires along the river bank. It was also pointed out that staff from Washington County Conservation will be involved with picking up the tires. Discussion followed and the Board voted to provide a maximum of $7.00 per each tire retrieved from the Skunk River in Washington County.
The Board next took up discussion re: the Washington County Secondary Road Use policy and in particular the requirement that an applicant for a secondary road use permit must provide a certificate of liability insurance naming Washington County as an additional insured. Stoops stated that he had contacted Supervisors from surrounding counties and learned that none of the counties had a formal Secondary Road Use policy such as that in Washington County nor any type of formal permit application process. Stoops also shared that he learned from such discussions that several Supervisors were of the opinion that such a policy did not merit consideration. Stoops voiced that as a Republican he favored small government and in turn questioned whether the Washington County policy presently in place was needed. In response County Engineer Jacob Thorius stated that he was aware of multiple counties that do have such policies ranging from informal conversations to formal ordinances. Thorius emphasized that while he was not necessarily opposed to public events such as parades and bicycle events he also wanted to make certain sure that such events are conducted as safely as possible. Thorius summarized by stating that ultimately the Supervisors must determine the level of risk that they are willing to accept and he encouraged the Board to at least continue to have some type of policy in place if for no other reason than to communicate when and where an event is planned. County Attorney Nathan Repp offered his legal opinion by stating that measures that are in place to reduce liability are beneficial but if such measures appear to create unnecessary obstacles perhaps a policy review should take place. He added that while he was unaware of any statutory requirement regarding insurance and/or the naming of an additional insured he also cited a list of area government entities that require proof of insurance coverage and an additional insured language. Repp cautioned that from a legal standpoint it is important to have safeguards in place when possible. Young recommended that the Board obtain more input from Paul Horak of Horak Insurance who provides liability insurance for Washington County. The Board took no formal action.
County Engineer Jacob Thorius informed the Board that two bids were received related to fuel delivery for FY25. One of the bids was received from Cobb Oil/Elliot Oil, Inc. at a unit price of $.03/gallon for 185,000 gallons of fuel which equals a total of $5,550.00. The other bid was received from Elliott Oil Company at a rate of $.07/gallon for 185,000 gallons of fuel which equals a total of $12,950.00. Both bids included an option to renew for FY26 at the same price. Thorius explained that the bids are for the delivery cost only with the cost of the fuel itself based on the “rack” price from the Iowa Department of Transportation. After a brief discussion and based on the recommendation from Thorius, the Board voted to accept the fuel bid in the amount of $5,550.00 received from Cobb Oil/Elliot Oil.
The Board voted to acknowledge, and authorize the Chair to sign, a personnel change request from Secondary Roads for FT non-exempt Equipment Operator Logan Hesser involving a one-year employment anniversary step increase to $26.31/hr. eff. June 16, 2024.
The Board voted to acknowledge, and authorize the Chair to sign, a personnel change request from Secondary Roads for FT non-exempt Equipment Operator Scott Gerot involving a one-year employment anniversary step increase to $26.31/hr. eff. June 27, 2024.
Thorius provided the Board with the Secondary Roads Quarterly Report for the 1st quarter of calendar year 2024. The complete report is available for viewing in the Auditor’s office.
The Board voted to approve changes to the Washington County Employee Handbook. The changes included modifications to Section 2.12 related to inclement weather, Section 4.10 related to bereavement leave, and Section 6.12 related to the use of workplace technology.
The Board voted to acknowledge, and authorize the Chair to sign, a personnel change request from Ambulance Services for Josh Laws move from regular PT non-exempt Medic to FT non-exempt Medic eff. June 12, 2024. Laws’ rate of pay will not change.
Interim Washington County Ambulance Services Director Katrina Altenhofen addressed the Board to describe the State of Iowa Set-Off Program which is a method that public agencies in the State of Iowa, such as Washington County Ambulance Services, may use to collect past-due amounts still owed after insurance benefits are applied. According to Altenhofen the State of Iowa Set-Off Program has an application process that requires Washington County to establish a process, local code or statute, administrative rules, or local ordinance that is relevant to collection or appeal of a debt. Discussion took place re: which option would be best for Washington County but the Board took no action.
At 10:23 am the Board voted by way of roll call vote to enter into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.
At 11:03 am the Board voted by way of roll call vote to return to open session.
The Board voted to authorize Supervisor Marcus Fedler, Deputy Auditor Amber Armbruster, and Interim Washington County Ambulance Services Director Katrina Altenhofen to negotiate terms of employment as Director of Washington County Ambulance Services with Applicant D and report back to the Washington County Board of Supervisors for acceptance following a complete background investigation.
The Board voted to accept as official the results of the canvass of the June 4, 2024, Washington County Primary Election.
At 11:24 am the Board voted to adjourn.
ATTEST: s/DANIEL L. WIDMER, Washington County Auditor
1ST AYD CORPORATION, Supplies 264.80
ACCESS SYSTEMS, Copier 414.92
ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING, Lease 339.40
ACE N MORE, Supplies 1,821.75
ADVANCED CORRECTIONAL HLTHCARE, Service 9,004.11
AERO RENTAL, Service 291.50
AIRGAS, Oxygen 296.85
ALL AMER TERM PEST CONTROL, Service 165.00
ALLEGIANT TECHNOLOGY, Subscription 46.19
ALLIANT, Utilities 4,333.63
ALTORFER MACHINERY, Parts 4,999.72
AMBER ARMBRUSTER, Reimb 31.29
AMERICAN CORRECTIONS SPECIALIST, Monitoring 311.50
ANITA MILLER, Peo 196.80
ANN CASLAVKA, Reimb 306.37
ARMSTRONG HEATING, Ac unit 7,948.42
ARNOLD MOTOR SUPPLY, Parts 949.37
ASHLEY STOUT, Peo 209.84
ATT MOBILITY, Data 91.20
BAILEY OFFICE OUTFITTERS, Supplies 1,193.19
BAKER PAPER, Supplies 1,204.90
BETTY EARNEST, Peo 183.40
BEVERLY COLBERT, Peo 231.95
BILLIE NICKOLAN, Peo 216.90
BLAINE WIDMER, Election 30.05
BONNIE LINS, Reimb 496.47
BOUND TREE, Supplies 2,750.03
BRENNEMAN, KATHRYN, Peo 198.14
BRIGHTREE HOME HLTH & HOSPICE, Software 2,981.00
BROWNS SHOE FIT, Boots 319.50
BRUCE ELGIN, Peo 170.00
BULLTOWN REPAIR, Service 121.78
CALHOUN CO SHERIFFS OFFICE, Service 36.00
CARL A NELSON & CO, Service 13,156.85
CARMAN DAVIS, Reimb 184.92
CARRIER ACCESS IT, Service 1,267.50
CARSON PLUMBING & HEATING, Repair 259.45
CDW GOVERNMENT, Equipment 456.66
CEDAR CO SHERIFF, Service 50.92
CHRISTINE GLOSSER, Peo 168.70
CINTAS, Service 2,140.62
CITY OF KALONA, Utilities 75.23
CITY OF WASH, Utilities 887.93
CITY OF WEST CHESTER, Utilities 60.86
CJ COOPER, Supplies 284.50
CJS OIL CO, Fuel 412.34
CLAIM MD, Subscription 100.00
COBB OIL CO, Fuel 35,315.36
COLEEN GUHL, Peo 215.20
COLOSSUS, Support 3,066.00
CONNIE FRITZ, Peo 187.42
CONNIE PENCE, Peo 36.34
CONSUMERS COOPERATIVE, Fuel 418.84
CONTINUOUS TOUCH, Fees 49.33
COPY SYSTEMS INC, Contract 77.86
CORINE WELTE, Peo 210.15
CRYSTAL BECKLER, Peo 207.52
CULLIGAN WATER COND, Water 655.73
CUSTOM IMPRESSIONS INC, Ball Caps 832.00
CYPRESS SOLUTIONS INC, Radio 1,078.50
DASH MEDICAL GLOVES, Gloves 180.00
DAVID HYMAN, Election 54.84
DEB SEALE, Peo 41.34
DELTA DENTAL OF IOWA, Claims 222.49
DEPT OF INSPECT APPEALS LICENSING, Permit 75.00
DIAMOND MOWERS, Parts 1,858.61
DIANE WALDSCHMIDT, Reimb 274.70
DORCAS JARRARD, Peo 194.51
DORSEY & WHITNEY, Legal fee 14,000.00
DOUDS STONE LLC, Roadstone 45,554.29
DUANE ROYER, Reimb 16.08
EASTERN IA LIGHT & POWER, Utilities 1,625.67
ELAINE JENNINGS, Peo 172.01
ELECTRIC MOTORS OF IA CITY, Parts 381.01
ELECTRONIC SERVICES SYSTEM, Support 1,727.28
ELIZABETH TORRES-POTTER, Reimb 66.75
EMBROIDERY BARN, Service 36.00
EQUATEK INTERACTIVE, Subscription 10.00
ESRI INC, Software 15,177.49
FELD FIRE, Gear 5,580.00
FIRST RESPONSE EXTINGUISHER, Service 92.75
FORCE AMERICA, Parts 108.47
FOREVER DRY ROOFING, Roof 5,507.00
FORVIS LLP, Service 1,082.00
FRONTLINE PUB SAFETY SOLUTIONS, Subscription 1,575.00
G & R MILLER CONSTRUCTION, Tiling 69.91
GARY CURTIS, Peo 188.80
GATR TRUCK CENTER, Parts 184.23
GERALD SHEEHY, Peo 220.92
GORDON FLESCH COMPANY, Copier 200.94
GREAT WESTERN SUPPLY CO, Supplies 379.17
H&L MACK TRUCK SALES CORP, Parts 3,085.74
HCC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Premium 2,785.32
HEALTHCARE FIRST, Survey 105.18
HENDERSON PRODUCTS INC, Parts 427.82
HENRY CO SHERIFF, Service 79.80
IA CITY LANDSCAPING, Seed 825.63
IA CO ATTYS ASSN, Registration 150.00
IA GEMT PAYMENT PROGRAM, Service 4,997.62
IA ST CO TREAS ASSN, Dues 250.00
IDEAL READY MIX, Supplies 703.25
IGRAPHIX INC, Supplies 675.00
IMAGING SPECTRUM, Supplies 317.05
IMPRESSIONS COMPUTERS, Maint 247.50
IMWCA, Deposit 18,976.00
INSIGHT PUBLIC SECTOR, Renewal 429.57
INTOXIMETERS, Dry Gas 125.00
IOWA SPORTSMAN, Ad 300.00
IRENE MCDOWELL, Reimb 639.04
JACKIE BROWN, Reimb 588.26
JANICE MILLER, Peo 187.42
JEAN YODER, Peo 184.74
JEFFRY GREENE, Peo 174.02
JENIFER ROBERTS, Reimb 281.40
JENNIFER, GILL, Peo 206.85
JODI MEADER, Peo 210.20
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL, Parts 329.70
JOHN OR LISA EXLINE, Host 300.00
JOHNSON CO SHERIFF, Service 100.00
JOLENE COLTHURST, Peo 170.00
JULIE LAWRENCE, Peo 194.12
KALONA CO-OP TELE, Service 2,305.58
KARALEE MARTIN, Peo 201.49
KARLA STOUT, Peo 202.16
KARLAS KLEANING, Cleaning 270.00
KARRI FISHER, Reimb 185.59
KCII, Ads 298.27
KELTEK INC, Annual service 21,457.92
KEN KNOPIK, Shock 267.50
LEXIPOL LLC, Manuals 6,983.18
LINN CO SHERIFF, Service 71.03
MAILING SERVICES, Service 398.09
MATTHEW SMITH, Peo 190.00
MELANIE LARSON, Reimb 190.34
MICHAEL OLEARY, Peo 223.60
MIDWEST EPOXY, LLC, Bridge repair 10,192.00
MIDWEST FRAME & AXLE, Parts 2,941.01
MIDWEST UNDERGROUND, Parts 153.10
MIDWEST WHEEL, Parts 740.58
MOSE LEVY CO, Service 44.00
MP CLOUD TECHNOLOGIES, Software 599.00
MYERS CONSTRUCTION INC, Construction 107,977.66
NAHARA MENDEZ, Peo 188.09
NORA REAVES, Reimb 30.73
ODP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LLC, Supplies 14.29
ONE SOURCE, Service 58.00
OREILLY AUTO PARTS, Supplies 1,808.58
OWENS KING CO, Storage 174.30
PATRICIA ROE, Peo 172.68
PATRICK HIEBING, Peo 173.35
PAYGROUND INC, Fees 24.86
PEGGY WOOD, Reimb 25.46
PHYLLIS HOFER, Peo 131.86
PHYSICAL THERAPY, Service 1,190.00
PIP PRINTING, Service 343.56
PRINTERS WORKSHOP, Service 820.73
QUAD CITY SAFETY, Uniforms 122.33
QUILL CORP, Supplies 228.12
RACHEL SWAFFER, Reimb 13.92
RAVE WIRELESS INC, Fees 2,550.00
REBECCA HALL, Peo 195.46
REGINA CHOATE, Shock 267.50
RESERVE ACCOUNT, Postage 195.93
ROBIN PLATTENBERGER GILMORE, Peo 172.68
RONDA STAUFFER SOBASKI, Cleaning 225.00
RUSSELL POTTER JR, Election 40.10
SADLER POWER TRAIN, Parts 974.19
SARA ODONNELL, Peo 206.22
SARAH SMITH, Reimb 9.38
SCHNEIDER GEOSPATIAL, Hosting 12,312.00
SCHUMACHER ELEVATOR, Maint 258.15
SECRETARY OF STATE, Ncoa 119.38
SEMCO, Haul 3,196.80
SHELBY HILL, Reimb 243.88
SHIRLEY NEBEL, Peo 188.76
SHOTTENKIRK - WEST BURLINGTON, Parts 73.12
SIACC, Annual fee 18,028.36
SIRCHIE FINGERPRINT LAB, Supplies 39.95
SITLERS SUPPLIES, Supplies 275.00
SOUTHEAST IOWA UNION, Subscription 110.00
STANDARD PEST CONTROL, Pest control 60.00
SUSAN CLARK, Peo 66.80
SUSAN MEEKS, Peo 170.00
SUSAN WESTERMARK, Peo 172.81
SUSAN WIDMER, Peo 230.00
SUZANNE SCHMIDT, Shock 267.50
TAMMY CRULL, Peo 174.02
TERRACON CONSULTANTS INC, Service 2,155.75
THE NEWS, Publications 914.77
THRYV, Ads 141.95
TIFCO INDUSTRIES, Supplies 616.23
TRI CITY ELECTRIC COMPANY, Service 655.00
TRIZETTO PROVIDER SOLUTIONS LLC, Fees 189.92
UNIFORM DEN INC, Uniforms 460.23
US CELLULAR, Cell phone 1,346.47
US POSTAL SERV, Postage 2,478.24
USIC LOCATING SERVICE LLC, Service 400.00
VANGUARD APPRAISALS, Service 14,075.00
VIRGINIA MILLER, Reimb 278.05
VISA, Supplies 1,205.69
VISA WASH STATE BANK, Supplies 750.38
WALMART CARD, Supplies 850.40
WAPELLO RURAL WATER ASSOC, Service 72.49
WASH AUTO CENTER, Service 1,208.68
WASH CO HOSPITAL, Supplies 764.14
WASH CO SECONDARY, Reimb 13,701.42
WASH CO SHERIFF, Service 162.88
WASH RENTAL, Repair 76.24
WASH YMCA, Capital Campaign 2,000.00
WASHINGTON DISCOUNT TIRES, Tires 3,543.00
WELLMAN CO-OP TELE, Service 270.92
WELLMARK/WAGEWORKS, Claims 27,894.45
WEX BANK, Fuel 140.84
WINDSTREAM, Phone 2,351.45
WITTHOFT FARM SUPPL, Parts 22.59
WMPF, Publications 1,155.39
Published in The News, Thursday, July 18, 2024 L-486
