On Tuesday June 27 the supervisors approved a resolution to close Wilson Avenue from 350th Street for one mile to 360th Street for grading. That was the easiest part of the meeting. Following that quick work the board turned to the second half funding for the Archer Library. The 2023 fiscal year provided $5166.00 twice during the year to each of O’Brien County’s Libraries.
The Archer Library building suffered severe damage from water infiltration from the roof. That damage coupled with poor climate control in every season extensive changes were made to the library service for Archer patrons. Library Director Annee Carlson took to media delivery for patrons. A book club met in a private home. Use of “Bridges” which is online reading access was pushed a bit harder and a program or two were held in the park. Supervisor chair Dan Frederichsen kept coming back to the question of the facility, but a library does not have to be a fixed location. The activity is what defines a library, such as the “Little Free Library” boxes found throughout the county.
According to state law, each city must provide library services to its residents. The Archer Library board investigated to determine which library in O’Brien County they would pay to provide those services to the Archer population. The Archer Library board had agreed to retain Carlson’s services until October.
Several amounts were considered by the board from $0 to fully funded. After thorough discussion the Dennis Vanden Hull motioned to provide half the funding appropriated for the Archer Library. John Steensma seconded with a full approval from the board following.
The reappointment of Tom Konz O’Brien County Conservation Board (OCCB) was next up. Konz was appointed in May 2021 to complete the 3-year term of retiring Royd Chambers. Steensma, usually very quiet, noted that he had received calls in opposition to Konz, although no reasons for the opposition were given. Discussion of Konz submitting an application was had and it was determined that no application process for any board appointments were in place at the time. An online application has been available since the process was adopted, almost immediately following Konz’ appointment.
Vanden Hull motioned to reappoint Konz. The motion died for lack of a second. McDowell requested that the online application be made more visible and placed on the website’s front page. The board also determined that announcements of the vacancy be place in each of the county’s newspapers. The term expires on June 30, however Iowa Code provides for a holdover until a qualified appointee is seated. The board considered if applications for former applicants are still valid and if Konz would have to reapply. The application process brought up many questions in how to proceed not just for this appointment but for every appointment and reappointment going forward. Present during the meeting was Patti Vollink who commented that OCCB is in flux and is it an appropriate time to create more disorganization. Fredericksen noted several acts of involvement made by Konz during his short tenure. After more discussion, the board was asked why no second. Nancy McDowell stated, “I guess for me personally, the controversy of it, I just want to make sure that we do it right going forward.” She went on to say that she wants to be able to say that they did their due diligence for whatever they decide. She said that she thought there would be applications to sort through but then learned of trouble finding the application.
Issues of gender and political party affiliation have become an issue for this appointment. Questions of if existing applications should be valid or if only new applications should be considered. Iowa code in the gender balance 69.16A.2 defines a good faith effort to find a qualified application be made for a period of 3 months. This is the section specifically addressing gender balance for state boards.
Announcements for the vacancy is decided to be made for 2 weeks in each O’Brien County newspaper.
Year end fund transfers were approved with $19,000 from the general fund to the OCCB land acquisition fund, from general fund to secondary roads was $230,343 and from the general fund to the supplemental fund, $2 million.
Base salaries for for deputies, assistants and clerks of elected officials for the next fiscal year. The auditor was chosen to fill the position of “Custodian of Records” so that the county is in compliance with the newly adopted public records policy.
The board went into closed session to discuss the employment candidacy for a potential county engineer.