Minutes - 1/14/2025

JANUARY 14, 2025, THIRD MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.  Board members present were Ung, Carper, Nelson, Dietrich, and Bittinger II. Staff members present were Joshua Widman, Assistant County Attorney, Karen James, Board Administrative Assistant, Melissa Thomas, Human Resources Director, and Michelle Skaff, Auditor/Clerk to the Board. 

The regular meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Moment of Silence.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the agenda for January 14, 2025. Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the following items by consent:

To approve minutes of the January 7, 2025 meeting.  Copy filed.
        
To approve the claims totaling $505,595.51.  Copy filed.

To approve the separation of Craig Steig, Maintenance Tech, Building Services Dept., effective 05-01-2025.  Retired.; the reclassification of Daven Dekok, Correction Officer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 01-20-25, $25.57/hour, 4%=$1.00/hr.  Per CWA: Move from 3rd Class to 2nd Class.  Anniversary Date: 1/31/25.; the reclassification of Alyse Morris, Secretary III, County Attorney Dept., effective 01-20-2025, $30.72/hour, 8%=$2.38/hr.  Per AFSCME: Move from Step 4 to Step 5. Anniversary Date: 1/31/25.; the reclassification of Steven Holst, Equipment Operator, Secondary Roads Dept., effective 01-20-2025, $27.88/hour, 3%=$.84/hr.  Per CWA: End of Probation.  Moves to Step 1. Anniversary Date: 1/31/25.; and the separation of Mary Feiler, Civilian Lieutenant, County Sheriff Dept., effective 04-07-2025.  Retirement.  Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Authorization to initiate the hiring process for Maintenance Tech, Building Services Dept.  AFSCME Courthouse: $22.92/hour; for Civilian Lieutenant, County Sheriff Dept.  Wage Plan:  $3473.82/bi-weekly; for Jail Sergeant, County Sheriff Dept.  CWA: $36.76/hour; and for Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept.  CWA:  $24.57/hour.  Copy filed.

To approve the deauthorization of Temporary Intern: (-.30 FTE) County Sheriff Dept.  Copy filed.

To approve the overlap of staff in Secondary Roads.  Copy filed.

To approve the appointment of Brad Griffin, 314 Coyote Dr., to WIT Director District II, previously held by Bill Anderson, until the next regular election.  Copy filed.

To approve the 2025 Liaison Assignments.  Copy filed.

To approve items to be auctioned per Personal Property Disposition Policy.  Copy filed.

To approve lifting tax suspensions for petitioners who failed to re-certify their income of income does not qualify for continued tax suspension.  Copy filed.

To receive the Treasurer’s semiannual report for the period ending December 31, 2024.  Copy filed.

Carried 5-0.

Kenny Schmitz, Building Services, provided an update on the LEC and actions moving toward demolition.  Copy filed.

Motion by Ung second by Nelson to approve to use $20,000.00 from FY25 CIP for the Auditor’s Conference Room and Office remodel and to remove the $6,000.00 that was allocated out of gaming for the project.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Discussion and direction on entering CIPs (FY25 borrowing and FY26 asking), improvement requests, and other budgetary preparation concerns.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to receive FY26 CIP list from Auditor Skaff.  Carried 5-0. Copy filed.
    
Motion by Bittinger second by Dietrich to receive FY25 approved CIP projects for borrowing. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Ung second by Bittinger to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution to transfer control of drainage district.  Carried 4-1. Dietrich opposed.  

Kevin Nelson, Salix Mayor, addressed the board in support of Salix City in control of the Salix Drainage District.

Leo Jochum (by phone) and Greg Jochum, Rural Salix, addressed the board in support of County or trustee control of the Salix Drainage District. 

Brian Yung (by phone), attorney, and Patrick Mouw, Engineer, addressed the board regarding the Salix Drainage District.

RESOLUTION #13,824
RESOLUTION TO TRANSFER CONTROL OF DRAINAGE DISTRICT

WHEREAS, the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, acting as Drainage District Trustees, have the authority, under Code of Iowa Section 468.322, to transfer control of any drainage district with twenty-five percent or more of its lands lying within the corporate limits of any city, whose drains are constructed wholly or partially of sewer tile and are being used by the city for drainage purposes, and 

WHEREAS, 71% of the area of the Salix Drainage District lies within the corporate limits of the City of Salix, IA, and

WHEREAS, under Code of Iowa Section 468.323 – 326, the Board of Supervisors may pass a resolution to transfer control of a drainage district to a City Council and it shall be the duty of that City Council to accept said control,

IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, acting as Trustees of the Salix Drainage District, transfer control of said district to the City of Salix’s City Council, effective 45 days from the date below of passage and approval of this resolution.

Passed and approved this 14th day of January, 2025.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Reports on committee meetings were heard.

Robin Schiro, Elk Point, addressed the board and Dennis Dufault, Sioux City, expressed concerns about inmates being released from the new LEC.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to receive letter from Ms. Schiro. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Board Concerns were heard.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until January 21, 2025.

Meeting sign in sheet.  Copy filed.