By Mari Radtke
The March 7 regular weekly meeting of the Board of Supervisors opened with a canvas of the South O’Brien Plant, Property and Equipment Levy vote. The funding measure passed overwhelmingly. One precinct was selected for audit. That precinct was Primghar. Every vote was verified. The election results were accepted and signed.
A public hearing for the maximum levy the county could impose was opened with no one present for comment and Auditor Barb Rohwer reporting no public comments received. The county’s levies for its general fund and its rural fund were the only levies up for discussion. The general fund levy as presented would raise $4,840,439. That is an increase of 6.38% over the current budget. The rural fund levy looks to raise $3 million. That is up $400,000 or 15.38%. Changes over 2% require an explanation. Rohwer said the increase in property values led to the rise in the revenue from property tax levies. The full budget hearing for the county is set for March 29, at 9:30am. A budget amendment to the current budget is also scheduled for that date.
The supervisors continue work to establish the Commission to Assess Damages. Some members of the current commission are leaving for various reasons. The law requires that damages resulting from imminent domain proceedings set the value of the damages for each affected property. The commission, by law must have at least 28 members representing 4 different segments of society: persons living in a city, ag owner/operators, persons with knowledge of property values and licensed real estate persons. The pipeline projects are driving the need for the commission to be complete. It currently looks like the board is seeking 2 more members from different categories of representation, going from 7 to 8 members of each category.
Sheriff Bruce Devereaux asked for and received permission from the supervisors to amend an approved vehicle purchase. The purchase of 2 Durangos had been approved, but all 125 Durangos ordered for law enforcement in Iowa has been cancelled. He requested to purchase 2021 Explorers instead. The vehicles being retired will be offered for sale by sealed bid. The revenue will be used to pay the costs of [equipment] installation for the new vehicles.
He also reported that the Amanda Verdoorn, Administrative Assistant resigned to take a job that allows her to work from home. Marie Kruger, a long time Sheldon City employee accepted the position. She started March 15 at a probationary rate of $48,700.
The supervisors approved an 8% wage increase for county employees outside the courthouse and who do not have their own boards. Public Health, Veterans’ Administration Assessor’s office and Conservation have their own boards. Some of the recipients of those wage increases are IT, Weed commissioner, jailers and food preparation, mental health advocate, Assistant County attorney and staff and motor vehicle/ drivers’ license staff. The supervisors will consider wage increases for court house staff on March 15.