BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
WASHINGTON COUNTY, IOWA
REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2024
At 9:00 am Chair Richard Young called the meeting to order in regular session, Courthouse Chambers. Items on the agenda included: personnel change request–Auditor; personnel change request–Secondary Roads; discussion/action re: Homestead Credits and Disabled Veteran Homestead Credits; discussion/ action re: Homestead (Age 65 and older) exemption and & Military exemption allowances & disallowances; review of bids for Dogwood Grading project FM-C092(126)--55-92 on Dogwood Avenue (W21) from the end of the pavement south approximately 0.5 miles; Res. 24-28 re: Approval and Awarding of FM-C092(126)--55-92 Dogwood Avenue (County Road W-21) Grading Project and Authorization for County Engineer to Sign Contract Documents in Doc Express related to the project; approval of State of Iowa Section 130 Crossing Safety Improvement Project Agreement RRP-RR05(236)--8A-00 to construct railroad crossing signals at railroad crossing 694426L on Dogwood Avenue; discussion/action re: County-owned real estate located at 302 W. Main Street, Washington; discussion/action re: method of determining compensation for Washington County elected officials. Supervisors Bob Yoder, Jack Seward Jr., Marcus Fedler, and Stan Stoops were also present.
All motions were passed unanimously unless noted otherwise.
The Board voted to approve the agenda as published.
The Board voted to acknowledge, and authorize the Chair to sign, a personnel change request from the Auditor for the hiring of Mya Talbert as a FT non-exempt Real Estate Administrator/Subdivision Coordinator effective July 15, 2024, at the rate of $22.59/hr.
The Board voted to acknowledge, and authorize the Chair to sign, a personnel change request from the Secondary Roads Department for Shop Foreman Justin A. Peterson final day of employment will occur July 12, 2024.
The Board voted to approve various Homestead Credits, Disabled Veteran Homestead Credits, Homestead (Age 65 and older) exemptions, and Military exemption allowances and disallowances as presented by the Washington County Assessor’s Office.
County Engineer Jacob Thorius presented the Board with seven bids for Dogwood Grading project FM-C092(126)--55-92 on Dogwood Avenue (County Road W-21) from the end of the pavement south approximately 0.5 miles.
Thorius stated that he was pleased with not only the number of bids received but also the various bid amounts of each bid and noted that the Engineer’s cost estimate for the project was $1,075,000.00. He also explained that the bids being considered are for Phase II of an overall multi-phase project. Thorius explained that due to flooding and other weather-related construction delays the completion of Phase I of the project is somewhat uncertain which in turn results in the start date for Phase II also being uncertain. A lengthy discussion took place and centered on the possibility of work taking place on Phase I and Phase II simultaneously and also waiting to rebid Phase II until the completion date for Phase 1 was more clearly known. In response to the possibility of rebidding Phase II Thorius warned that there would be no guarantee that the bids would be as favorable. Thorius also reminded that no discussion could take place with any of the bidders until the Board took formal action to accept a bid. Ultimately, the Board voted to accept the low bid received from Cornerstone Excavating Inc., Washington, in the amount of $888,108.25 for Dogwood (County Road W-21) grading project FM-C092(126) --55-92 and authorize the County Engineer to sign pertinent and necessary documents.
The Board voted by way of roll call vote to approve Res. 24-28 and authorize the Chair to sign. It was noted that verbiage contained in the document included acceptance of the bid received from Cornerstone Excavating Inc. in the amount of $888,108.25.
The Board voted to approve a State of Iowa Section 130 Crossing Safety Improvement Project Agreement RRP-RR05(236) --8A-00 to construct railroad crossing signals at railroad crossing 694426L on Dogwood Ave. and authorize the County Engineer to sign pertinent documents. The estimated cost of the project is $393,326.39 and Thorius shared that the State of Iowa has committed a maximum of $550,000.00 in grant funding to offset the costs of the project.
Auditor Dan Widmer shared that the FY25 Washington County Budget includes a budget line item in the amount of $150,000.00 for the construction of a Secondary Road shop building. Plans call for the building to be used by the Building and Grounds department to store vehicles, equipment, supplies, tools etc. along with space to perform repairs and other misc. duties. Initial plans have focused on locating the building on a county-owned vacant lot just north of the Courthouse at 221 W. 2nd St. However, Custodian Aaron Wulf presented the Board with another possible building site involving an empty lot located on county-owned vacant lot located directly across the street west of the Courthouse at 302 West Main Street. While giving general approval for 302 West Main as a possible site for the construction of a building to house the Building and Grounds Department, the Board took no formal action.
Widmer informed the Board that on May 1, 2024, Iowa Gov. Kim Reyolds signed SF 2442 containing language that disbanded County compensation boards as of July 1, 2024 in each of 99 counties in Iowa.
Until July 1, 2024, County compensation boards recommended salaries for the county elected officials which were forwarded to the Supervisors to be approved as presented or modified before being approved. Under the new legislation counties may reinstate their compensation board system as it existed prior to July 1, 2024, or forego compensation boards which would leave compensation for all elected officials, including the Supervisors themselves, at the full discretion of the Supervisors. Discussion ensued with Young stating
that he favored continuing to utilize a compensation Board as it allows for broader input for what is an important matter. Other discussion points included the perception that elected officials tend to choose their friends to be representatives on the compensation Board as well as a viewpoint, which was countered by Widmer, that citizens are not made aware of the time, date, and location of compensation board meetings. Young stated that there was ample time to make a decision and that public input would be welcome and valued. The Board took no formal action.
At 10:03 am the Board voted to adjourn.
ATTEST: s/DANIEL L. WIDMER, Washington County Auditor
3-E ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING EQUIP, Repair 415.00
4M PLUMBING & HEATING, Repair 128.62
ACCESS SYSTEMS, Service 129.16
ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING, Lease 339.40
ACE N MORE, Supplies 474.15
ALL AMER TERM PEST CONTROL, Pest control 145.00
ALL SECURE, Service 225.00
ALLIANT, Utilities 5,440.48
ALTORFER MACHINERY, Parts 3,887.20
BAILEY OFFICE OUTFITTERS, Supplies 548.83
BAKER PAPER, Supplies 667.38
BINNS & STEVENS, Dust control 4,158.00
BLACK HAWK CO SHERIFF, Service 43.89
BONNIE LINS, Reimb 299.49
BOUND TREE, Supplies 596.03
BRIAN STEVENS, Well 500.00
BRIGHTREE HOME HLTH & HOSPICE, Software 2,981.00
CAPPER AUTO CENTER, Repair 685.51
CARA SORRELLS, Reimb 22.99
CARMAN DAVIS, Reimb 381.23
CINTAS, Service 2,113.53
CITY OF KALONA, Utilities 67.82
CITY OF WASH, Utilities 1,361.16
CJS OIL CO, Fuel 397.98
CLAIM MD, Subscription 100.00
COBB OIL CO, Fuel 35,954.49
CONSUMERS COOPERATIVE, Fuel; 560.91
CONVERGINT TECHNOLOGIES LLC, Service 68,328.49
CULLIGAN WATER COND, Water 361.34
DARREN DENNLER, Reimb 20.10
DAVID BARNES, Reimb 50.00
DELTA DENTAL OF IOWA, Claims 1,327.46
DENNIS MURRAY, Reimb 75.00
DIANE WALDSCHMIDT, Reimb 271.35
DICKINSON BRADSHAW LAW FIRM, Atty fee 6,000.00
DOUDS STONE LLC, Roadstone 22,311.12
DPT SERVICE LLC, Service 3,090.00
ENCITE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN, Renovation 38,409.69
EQUATEK INTERACTIVE, Subscription 10.00
ESO SOLUTIONS, Software 17,045.50
GATR TRUCK CENTER, Parts 20.72
GEORGE DAVID NACOS, Service 3,000.00
GORDON FLESCH COMPANY, Copier 81.37
GRAINGER, Supplies 256.26
H&L MACK TRUCK SALES CORP, Equipment 303,385.34
HACAP, Qtr payment 30,000.00
HCC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Premium 2,760.00
HEALTHCARE FIRST, Survey 105.18
HOLIDAY INN AIRPORT, Lodging 772.80
IA CO ATTYS ASSN, Registration 370.00
IA COMM ASSURANCE POOL, Premium 2,684.00
IA DEPT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, Service 3,180.00
IA LAW ENFORCEMENT ACAD, Registration 350.00
IA ST ASSN OF CO, Dues 7,800.00
IMPRESSIONS COMPUTERS, Maint 892.50
IMWCA, Premium 7,636.00
IRENE MCDOWELL, Reimb 498.48
JACKIE BROWN, Reimb 567.49
JENIFER ROBERTS, Reimb 113.90
JERRY TURNER, Reimb 75.00
JOHN OR LISA EXLINE, Host 300.00
JOHN WAGNER, Reimb 75.00
KALONA CO-OP TELE, Internet 1,793.63
KALONA TIRE, Tires 1,382.68
KARLAS KLEANING, Cleaning 270.00
KELLY FARRIER, Reimb 75.00
MAIL SERVICES, Postage 1,038.19
MIDWEST UNDERGROUND, Parts 1,536.97
MIKE ROUSH, Reimb 214.05
MOORES BP AMOCO TOWING, Tow 655.00
MP CLOUD TECHNOLOGIES, Software 599.00
NORRIS ASPHALT PAVING, Patch 1,329.90
NYHART, Service 2,175.00
ONE SOURCE, Service 38.00
OREILLY AUTO PARTS, Parts 1,453.20
PAUL TOWNER, Qtr payment 900.00
PAYGROUND INC, Fees 59.48
PLAINSMAN - CLARION, Subscription 46.00
QUILL CORP, Supplies 979.55
ROBERT YODER, Reimb 123.28
SCHUMACHER ELEVATOR, Maint 258.15
SHAFCOM, Headsets 459.95
SHARON TELEPHONE, Rent 2,400.00
SHELBY HILL, Reimb 235.17
SHOTTENKIRK - WEST BURLINGTON, Parts 432.72
TAMERA STEWART, Reimb 789.94
TERESA TODD, Reimb 44.82
TERRY PHILIPS, Reimb 12.06
THE NEWS, Publications 870.81
THRYV, Ads 141.95
TIMOTHY KLEESE, Reimb 75.00
TOWN & COUNTRY VET CLINIC, Vet 135.00
UNIFORM DEN INC, Uniforms 295.77
US CELLULAR, Cell phone 1,065.29
US POSTAL SERV, Postage 2,083.34
USIC LOCATING SERVICE LLC, Service 400.00
VIRGINIA MILLER, Reimb 318.25
VISA, Supplies 64.03
WALMART CARD, Supplies 668.58
WAPELLO CO AUDITOR, Rent 1,450.08
WAPELLO RURAL WATER ASSOC, Service 73.16
WASH AUTO CENTER, Service 804.17
WASH CHAMBER OF, Registration 400.00
WASH CO COMMUNICATIONS, Qtr payment 291,519.00
WASH CO EMERG MGMT, Qtr payment 329,604.00
WASH CO FAIR ASSN, Qtr payment 10,250.00
WASH CO HIST PRESERV, Qtr payment 1,250.00
WASH CO HUMANE SOCIETY, Qtr payment 8,214.50
WASH CO MINI BUS, Qtr payment 12,500.00
WASH CO PUBL LIBRARY ASSN, Qtr payment 39,187.50
WASH CO SECONDARY, Reimb 6,220.24
WASH CO SHERIFF, Reimb 8,112.50
WASH ECONOMIC DEV GROUP, Pledge 23,000.00
WASH LAW OFFICE, Atty fee 325.00
WASHINGTON DISCOUNT TIRES, Tires 1,142.20
WELLMAN CO-OP TELE, Phone 2,670.92
WELLMARK/WAGEWORKS, Claims 22,218.32
WEX BANK, Fuel 353.56
WINDSTREAM, Phone 1,086.26
WITTHOFT FARM SUPPL, Parts 22.09
WMPF, Publications 1,341.06
Published in The News, Thursday, July 25, 2024 L-310
