Minutes - 10/27/2015

OCTOBER 27, 2015 — FORTY FOURTH MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.  Board members present were Clausen, Monson, Ung, Taylor and Smith.  Staff members present were Karen James, Board Administrative Coordinator, Dennis Butler, Finance/Operations Controller, Ed Gilliland, Human Resources Director, Gloria Mollet, Assistant Human Resources Director and Patrick Gill, Auditor/Clerk to the Board.

The meeting was called to order – Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag – Moment of Silence.

Kenny Schmitz, Building Services Director, reported on a bid opening for an LED lighting project that occurred prior to this meeting.  Copy filed.

Rhonda Roberts addressed the Board on a planning and zoning issue concerning work being done on Gernhart property.  

Motion by Smith second by Taylor to approve the Agenda for October 27, 2015 with consideration of the Property Tax Relief Resolution after consideration of the Envision 2050 CIP projects and TIF use policy.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Taylor second by Clausen to approve the minutes of the October 20, 2015 Board meeting.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.  

Motion by Ung second by Clausen to approve the claims totaling $933,869.48.   Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Ung second by Taylor to approve the reclassification of Rachael Edmundson, Asst. County Attorney, County Attorney Dept., effective 11-9-15, $73,751/year, 8%=$5,454/year.  Per AFSCME Asst. County Attorney Contract agreement, from Step 6 to Step 7.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Clausen second by Smith to approve the Floating Christmas Holiday as December 24, 2015.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Clausen second by Smith to approve the settlement agreement with Jennifer Fuentes.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Taylor second by Smith to approve a permit to work in the Highway Right of Way for Douglas Washburn.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Ung second by Clausen to approve the permit for work in Highway Right of Way for Doyle Smith.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Clausen second by Clausen to approve the permit for work in Highway Right of Way to place underground and overhead utilities for MidAmerican Energy.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Bid letting for Weed Commissioner Truck.  The bids are as follows:

Jensen Dealerships, Sioux City, IA   $23,318.00

Knoepfler Chevrolet, Sioux City, IA   $24,440.00

Barry Motor, Danbury, IA    $25,647.00

Motion by Taylor second by Clausen to receive the bids for Weed Commissioner Truck and to direct the County Engineer to evaluate the bids and return with a recommendation for award.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Clausen second by Taylor to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a letter of discontinuation of Woodbury County Targeted Case Management Program and Chapter 24 Accreditation.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Taylor second by Ung to endorse the Siouxland District Board of  Health to retain the funding amount over 25% reserve funding in order to move forward with their building CIP project.  Carried 4-1on a roll call vote; Clausen opposed.  Copy filed.

Taylor presented information from a Committee meeting discussing Rural Economic Development.  Copy filed.

The Board held a discussion on Envision 2050 CIP projects and TIF use policy and was asked to consider placing an item on the agenda for a retreat to discuss the issue.  Copy filed.

Motion by Taylor second by Ung to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution for Woodbury County’s Taxpayers First Resolution.  Carried 3-2 on a roll call vote; Clausen and Smith opposed.

RESOLUTION #12,286

WOODBURY COUNTY’S TAXPAYERS FIRST RESOLUTION

Whereas CF Industries is the state of Iowa’s largest capital investment to date of over $2 billion and has acted as an invaluable partner for the growth of the County;

Whereas tax rates are high relative to surrounding Iowa counties and to Nebraska and South Dakota for reasons outside of the County’s control and this has a direct impact on competitiveness, further economic development, and where people choose to live and do business;

Whereas at the time of the 2050 Vision plan formulation, McClure Engineering listed Woodbury County’s tax rates as the second highest among Iowa counties within 100 miles;

Whereas as the cost of living increases, taxpayers deserve to know their county government will live within its means so that while receiving county revenue of approximately $56 million generated by CF Industries, meaningful property tax relief will be generated for families;

Whereas revenue from CF Industries is not generated until FY 2019 and the County already has four dedicated projects in the area using tax increment financing (CF Industries Entrance Rd; CF Industries On Site Road; AGP Road Port Neal Circle; and Dogwood Trail in Sergeant Bluff);

And whereas understanding this resolution cannot legally bind a future board, the current Board embraces this resolution as guiding policy and asks the electorate to hold public officials accountable for exercising the restraint that comes with limited government;

Now therefore be it resolved that the Board of Supervisors sets a guideline that in FY 2020 and beyond, 50% of all CF Industries revenue be dedicated to property tax relief and a statement be delivered annually to property taxpayers explaining publicly whether such money was dedicated to lowering the levy rate, offsetting mandated costs without increasing the levy, or dedicated to reserves.

WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Copy filed.

There were reports made on committee meetings.

There were no citizen concerns.   The Board adjourned the regular meeting until November 3, 2015.

Meeting sign in sheet.  Copy filed.