BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
WASHINGTON COUNTY, IOWA
REGULAR MEETING OF MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2024
At 9:00 a.m. Chair Richard Young called the meeting to order in regular session, Courthouse Chambers. Items on the agenda included: Washington County Wind Ordinance; Quarterly Report–Office of Sheriff; Annual Report and FY25 funding request–Paws & More Animal Shelter; Treasurer’s Semi-Annual Report; Res. 24-02 re: Approval of G-36 HMA Paved Shoulders Project and Authorization for County Engineer to Sign Contract Documents in Doc Express related to this project; presentation from Deriva Energy; and discussion/possible action re: approval of job description for the position of Asst. Systems Administrator. Supervisors Jack Seward Jr., Marcus Fedler, Stan Stoops, and Bob Yoder were also present.
All motions were passed unanimously by those Supervisors in attendance unless noted otherwise.
The Board voted to approve the agenda as published.
The Board reviewed and discussed a draft wind energy ordinance which included language related to operation, site selection, construction methods, and the operation of wind turbines among other things. However, the greatest portion of the board’s discussion centered on the minimum distance between a wind mill and a residential dwelling defined as setback. The Board informally determined a need for more information before a final draft wind energy ordinance can be finalized. The Board took no formal action.
The Board voted to acknowledge receipt of the Washington County Office of Sheriff’s Quarterly Cash Report for the 2nd quarter of FY24. The complete report is available in the office of the Washington County Auditor.
PAWS & More Animal Shelter Executive Director Amber Talbot and Board Member Elaine Moore shared various activities and accomplishments of the shelter as well as various challenges that were successfully met. According to Talbot during FY23 her organization took in 66 more animals than during the previous year and she added that during FY23 the need for emergency housing greatly increased. For the coming fiscal year that begins July 1, 2024, the County will provide funding assistance in the amount of $32,858.00 which is equal to the average amount of County funding for the most recent five years according to the terms of a 28E agreement between the PAWS & More and Washington County. Such County financial support will be used to support basic operational costs of PAWS & More. Talbot also provided an update on the progress being made regarding the construction of a new facility for PAWS & More which will be located on five acres on the southwest side of Washington just off Highway 1. At the present time donors have pledged approximately $688,000.00 of the $3.5 million total estimated cost of the project. Talbot requested a pledge from the County. The Board took no formal action.
The Board held no discussion and took no action regarding proposed Res. 24-02 related to the approval of a Highway G-36 HMA Paved Shoulders Project and Authorization for the County Engineer to Sign Contract Documents in Doc Express related to the project.
Treasurer Jeff Garrett provided the Board with the Semi-Annual Statement of Funds for the period of July 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. Garrett explained that the report lists, as of July 1, 2023, the beginning Treasurer’s balances of all County funds which totaled $19,399,297,67, total revenues of $41,473,346.29, total expenses of $41,115,125.20, and finally the ending Treasurer’s balance of $19,185,228.31 and the ending Auditor’s balance of $18,585,961.57 as of December 31, 2023. The Board voted to acknowledge the Semi-Annual Statement of Funds Report for the period of July 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. The complete report is available for public viewing in the office of the Washington County Treasurer.
Jeff Neves, Director of Development for Deriva Energy (Deriva) participated via remote means and shared some background information with regard to Deriva which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and operates 18 windfarms in 12 states throughout the United States including one in Iowa. While Neves described Washington County as having the potential to fill a vital role with regard to the conversion of wind energy into electricity, he also stated Deriva’s interest was still in the very preliminary stages. Nevis also offered that a key concern is the half-mile setback language contained in the draft wind energy ordinance which he described as potentially problematic for his company and its plans to expand into Washington County. Setback is defined in general terms as the minimum required distance between a wind turbine and a certain object i.e., a residential building. He also recommended that language related to standards for foundational support of wind turbines, mitigation requirements, and the impact on existing drainage systems be included in the ordinance. The Board took no action.
The Board reviewed a job description for the new position of Asst. Systems Administrator with Information Technology (IT) Director Cyndie Sinn and Sergeant/IT Administrator Tom Smit highlighting various items included in the job description and the thought process behind such items being included. Fedler expressed dismay with what he described as the lack of an opportunity for the County IT Committee to provide input in the development of the job description. The Board voted to approve a job description for the position of Asst. Systems Administrator as presented with the addition of wording stating that the position is under the supervision of the Board of Supervisors and Information Technology. The vote on the motion: Aye-Young, Yoder, Seward, Stoops; Nay-Fedler.
At 10:43 a.m. the Board voted to adjourn.
ATTEST: s/ DANIEL L. WIDMER, Washington County Auditor
Vendor Name, Payable Description Total Payments
1st AYD CORPORATION, Supplies 418.00
ACE-N-MORE, Supplies 23.93
ACUMEN, Consulting 2,533.00
AGRILAND FS INC, Propane 761.69
ALLIANT, Utilities 7,774.65
ALTORFER MACHINERY, Parts 478.60
ARNOLD MOTOR SUPPLY, Parts 320.03
AT&T MOBILITY, Data 91.23
BOUND TREE, Supplies 307.89
BRIGHTREE HOME HLTH & HOSPICE, Software 2,981.00
CAPPER AUTO CENTER, Battery 366.32
CARL A NELSON & CO, Construction 9,150.68
CARRIER ACCESS IT, Service 244.00
CINTAS, Service 1,666.80
CITY OF KALONA, Utilities 53.20
CITY OF WELLMAN, Utilities 272.91
CITY OF WEST CHESTER, Utilities 52.00
CJS OIL CO, Fuel 352.66
CONSUMERS COOPERATIVE, Fuel 216.27
CUSTOM HOSE & SUPPLIES INC., Parts 78.94
DASH MEDICAL GLOVES, Supplies 170.76
DAVID BARNES, Reimb 75.00
DELTA DENTAL OF IOWA, Claims 1,998.27
DENNIS MURRAY, Reimb 75.00
DONALD MOELLER, Reimb 100.00
EASTERN IA LIGHT & POWER, Utilities 817.62
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING & EQUIP, Service 935.00
EMS COMPLIANCE LLC, Program 3,000.00
FARMERS CO-OP KEOTA, Service 1,140.00
FASTENAL COMPANY, Supplies 17.56
FEDERATION BANK, Rent 6,600.00
FORVIS LLP, Fees 1,838.00
GALLS INC, Uniforms 500.50
GORDON FLESCH COMPANY, Copier 840.18
HEALTHCARE FIRST, Survey 99.23
HENDERSON PRODUCTS INC, Parts 8,961.64
HENRY SCHEIN INC, Supplies 178.86
HYGIENIC LABORATORY, Test kits 465.50
IA COLLISION & PAINT, Repair 1,000.00
IA COMM ASSURANCE POOL, Premium 5,817.00
IA DOT, Reimb 13,293.41
IA GEMT PAYMENT PROGRAM, Gemt 7,648.38
IA HOIST & CRANE, Repair 1,410.00
IA PRISON IND, Supplies 28.50
IA ST ASSN OF CO, Registration 420.00
IA ST SHERIFF &, Registration 250.00
IDEMIA IDENTITY & SECURITY, Maint 2,981.00
IGRAPHIX INC, Supplies 1,021.00
JERRY TURNER, Reimb 75.00
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL, Parts 463.03
JOHN WAGNER, Reimb 75.00
JOHNSON CO MED EXAMINER, Fees 325.67
KALONA CO-OP TELE, Internet 415.40
KALONA GRAPHICS, Forms 71.48
KALONA POST & FRAME, Lumber 250.00
KALONA TIRE, Tires 1,042.37
KARLAS KLEANING, Cleaning 270.00
KELLY FARRIER, Reimb 75.00
LEETS REFRIGERATION, Service 211.50
LIFTOFF LLC, Renewal 31,210.80
LINDE GAS & EQMT, Supplies 219.15
LORI ROTH YOUSEY, Refund 1,339.80
MATT PARROTT/, Forms 394.91
MAYFLOWER MOBILE HOME PARK, Rent 300.00
MCKESSON MEDICAL, Supplies 228.33
METAL CULVERTS, CMP 14,785.00
MIDWEST ALARM SERVICES, Inspections 1,074.96
MIDWEST WHEEL, Parts 1,995.64
MIKE ROUSH, Reimb 75.00
MIKE’S PARTS & SERVICE, Parts 64.74
MOSE LEVY CO, CR rounds 25.34
MP CLOUD TECHNOLOGIES, Software 599.00
MUTUAL WHEEL CO, Parts 349.75
MYERS CONSTRUCTION INC, Construction 121,043.30
NACVSO, Registration 400.00
PAUL TOWNER, Fees 236.00
PAULA BRINNING, Service 300.00
QUILL CORP, Supplies 317.39
RIVER PRODUCTS CO, Roadstone 6,028.04
RWLPSW, LLC, Rent 14,400.00
RYAN WALKER, Well plugging 500.00
SANOFI PASTEUR, Supplies 93.34
SECRETARY OF STATE, Notary 30.00
SEMCO, Haul 2,363.85
THE NEWS, Subscription 52.00
TIFCO INDUSTRIES, Supplies 665.32
TIMOTHY KLEESE, Reimb 75.00
TRI STATE TOWING, Towing 1,000.00
TRIZETTO PROVIDER SOLUTIONS LLC, Service 160.67
TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, Subscription 8,003.05
UNIFORM DEN INC, Badges 759.21
US CELLULAR, Cell phone 2,141.88
VAN METER INC, Parts 84.62
VERIZON WIRELESS, Data 120.03
VISA WASH STATE BANK, Supplies 4,168.29
WALMART CARD, Supplies 716.50
WASH CO AUDITOR, Reimb 400.00
WASH CO EMS, Dues 100.00
WASH CO SECONDARY, Fuel 2,583.79
WASH CO SHERIFF, Service 7,875.00
WASH LUMBER & HOME CENTER, Parts 171.86
WASH RENTAL, Rope 51.55
WELLMARK/WAGEWORKS, Claims 16,052.46
WEMIGA WASTE INC, Service 14,715.28
WHITE POSTS, Signs 2,180.00
WINDSTREAM, Phone 2,243.26
WINPUMP, Tile lines 1,375.73
YOUNG, RICHARD, Reimb 320.00
Published in The News, Thursday, February 15, 2024 L-273
