Harrison County Board of Supervisors April 30, 2026 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order at 9:00am in the Harrison County Boardroom with members Tony Smith and Rebecca Wilkerson in attendance. Motion to approve the tentative agenda was made by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Minutes from April 23rd were approved on a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Paul Rhoten, John Rasmussen, Michele Stirtz, Brad Doyle, Jack Jones, Rick Shearer, David Sherer, Tina Fagan, Todd Denton, Rashelle Wohlers, Deena Nelson Drainage Petition to clean out the Frazier Drainage District The Board, acting as drainage trustees, were presented with a petition to clean out the Frazier Drainage Ditch. Also present was Michelle Kersten, Drainage Clerk, Rick Shearer, Shearer Contractors, and Larry Buss, landowner. Wayne Maguire, landowner, submitted the petition and wants to clean out the Frazier ditch this spring due to the possibility of rising water levels ruining his crops. Mr. Buss agrees that the ditch needs to be dug out but knows his crops will get damaged in the process of the cleanout and is requesting the project wait until this fall after harvest is complete. Rife is going to contact Mr. Maguire to see if there is temporary solution that can be agreed on. No action will be taken at this time. Engineer Updates Engineer Rasmussen provided equipment and project updates. Smith requested updated updates on brush control and time clocks. County Five Year Plan Motion to approve the County Five Year Plan by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Secondary Roads Budget Motion to approve the Secondary Roads Budget by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. 28E Sharing Agreement for County Engineer with Monona County Discussion regarding the salary cost of sharing and how mileage and fuel costs should be split between the two Counties was held. RESOLUTION NO. 06-0526-SR ESTABLISHMENT OF A 28E SHARING AGREEMENT FOR THE HARRISON / MONONA COUNTY ENGINEER This contract and agreement, pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 28E, is made and entered into on this 5th day of May 2026, by and between the Monona County Board of Supervisors (hereinafter identified as Monona County), and the Harrison County Board of Supervisors (hereinafter referred to as Harrison County). This Agreement does not contemplate and shall not be construed to limit or expand the powers of the participating counties, except as expressly stated in the agreement. In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto, for themselves and their assigns have mutually agreed to do agree with each other as follows: WHEREAS, Monona County is temporarily without a full-time County Engineer and seeks to secure qualified services in accordance with Iowa Code Sections 309.17 through 309.21; and WHEREAS, Harrison County employs a duly qualified County Engineer and is willing to make such services available under the terms set forth herein; and WHEREAS, the Counties desire to establish a cooperative working arrangement for the mutual benefit of both Counties and the efficient delivery of public services. SECTION 1. PURPOSE The purpose of said agreement is to establish a working mechanism between the two participating counties so that Monona County may utilize the services of the Harrison County Engineer (hereinafter identified as the Engineer) during the temporary period of time when Monona County seeks to employ a full-time engineer having the ability to serve in the capacity of Monona County Engineer, in accordance with Iowa Code Sections 309.17 through 309.21. SECTION 2. EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF THE ENGINEER The Engineer is currently employed by Harrison County as a full-time employee thereof, shall remain such during the period of this agreement, shall be paid by Harrison County and accrue his fringe benefits per his employment contract with Harrison County. SECTION 3. TERM Monona County requires and desires the services of the Engineer to serve in the capacity of Monona County Engineer in accordance with Iowa Code Sections 309.17 through 309.21 for the period from May 11, 2026, until May 1, 2027. SECTION 4. SERVICES TO MONONA COUNTY The Engineer shall serve as the Monona County Engineer and the Harrison County Engineer as of May 11, 2026 until May 1, 2027, and with respect to the services to be provided to Monona County, the Engineer shall devote his professional time and talent to the best interest thereof and discharge all of the duties and responsibilities in his capacity as the County Engineer: 1. Shall keep himself advised as to the condition of the budget items of the Secondary Roads Fund; 2. Shall have control of all planning, engineering, construction and maintenance work of the Secondary Roads Department and all employees therein in order to accomplish his official duties; 3. Shall be responsible to hire employees to fill vacancies within the Secondary Roads Department with approval of the Monona County; 4. Shall be responsible to administer disciplinary action to the employees of the Secondary Roads Department as, in his opinion are required; 5. Shall at no extra charge advise and assist other county offices as necessary and within his field of expertise. SECTION 5. COUNTY EMPLOYEES The Secondary Roads employees of each county shall work exclusively within their respective counties. SECTION 6. SUPPPORT AND RESOURCES The Board of Supervisors of each county shall furnish the Engineer all equipment, materials, manpower and transportation necessary for the efficient performance of his official duties as the County Engineer. It is understood and agreed that the Engineer shall have full control of planning, engineering, construction and maintenance work of the Secondary Road Department in order to accomplish his official duties. This control includes, but is not limited to, the selection and utilization of consultant resources as the Engineer deems necessary. SECTION 7. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT The Engineer shall be paid actual and necessary expenses by the Monona County Board while performing duties on behalf thereof hereunder, including mileage for the use of his personal vehicle or any Harrison County Vehicle, when the use thereof is deemed necessary by the Engineer for the transaction of official Monona County business in accordance with Iowa Code Section 70A.9. SECTION 8. AVAILABILITY The Engineer or his designee shall always be present or available for consultation with Monona County while actual work is underway on any construction projects or when a contractor has been hired for maintenance work and the work is underway. SECTION 9. EMPLOYMENT TERMS As the primary employer of the Engineer, the Harrison County Engineer’s contract and personnel policy shall apply to all terms and conditions of employment of the Engineer which are not otherwise addressed herein. As the primary employer of the Engineer, the Harrison County Engineer’s contract and personnel policy shall apply to all terms and conditions of employment of the Engineer which are not otherwise addressed herein. Monona County shall recognize the benefits accrued by the Engineer as an employee of Harrison County, including but not limited to paid vacation days, holidays, sick days, retirement and insurance benefits as per Harrison County Personnel Policy and the Engineer’s Employment Contract which is hereby referenced and incorporated as part of this agreement. SECTION 10. LIABILITY, INSURANCE, AND INDEMNIFICATION The Engineer and Harrison County shall be indemnified and saved harmless by Monona County for all action taken against Monona County, the Monona County Board, and/or the Engineer, due to actions performed by the Engineer and the Secondary Roads Department during the Engineer’s official duties for Monona County. The Board shall acquire any necessary bonds and provide and continue to subscribe to both personal and professional liability insurance coverage to effectuate the purpose of this paragraph and to provide defense of any covered litigation and payment of any covered judgements. SECTION 11. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT TO HARRISON COUNTY It is agreed between Harrison County and Monona Couty that all expenses for the Engineer arising from salary, benefits and any other expenses shall be paid by Harrison County. Each County will provide workers compensation insurance to the Engineer. Harrison County will provide payroll and be reimbursed by Monona County at a monthly rate of ten thousand eight hundred fifty-six dollars and eighty-nine cents ($10,856.89) which includes FICA, IPERS and Insurance for the duration of this agreement (total annual reimbursement $130,282.69). This rate is based on Monona County paying 50% of the total annual salary of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) to be paid to the Engineer based on 2,088 hours per year. SECTION 12. TERMINATION That any party to this agreement may terminate the same in the proper manner prescribed as follows: 1. That either board may terminate this agreement at any time without cause by giving sixty (60) days’ written notice to the other county. 2. That either Board may terminate this agreement for cause. In such case, the terminating party shall set forth in a written notice to the other party, the specific facts upon which cause for termination is based, with the date of termination. 3. The Engineer may terminate this Contract at any time without cause by giving sixty (60) days written notice to Harrison County and Monona County. In such event, the Engineer shall continue to render his services to the date of termination. 4. The Engineer shall return as a full-time employee of the Harrison Board under the Engineer’s Employment Contract. SECTION 13. AMENDMENT, RENEWAL, OR EXTENSION That this agreement may be amended, revised, renewed or extended at any time only by written approval of Harrison County, Monona County, and the Engineer. SECTION 14. FILING AND EFFECTIVE DATE Following approval by the governing bodies of each county, this agreement shall be filed and become effective according to Iowa Code 28E. Monona County shall file this Agreement with the Secretary of State within 10 days of delivery to Monona County of the executed document. Motion to approve 28E Sharing Agreement for County Engineer with Monona County by Smith, second by Rife. Wilkerson Nay. Rife Aye. Smith Aye. Motion carried. Update on Public Health Legislation and Iowa HHS Public Health Plans Public Health Administration David Sherer provided updates on legislation that is being proposed and how it will impact Harrison County. With the changes to HHS Harrison County will be moved from Region 4 which is Southwest Iowa to District 1 which is Northwest Iowa. County departments and the County Board of Health will remain intact. The goal is to provide a standardized approach across the state and implement the changes over the next two years. The Board discussed what they could do to help with the transition. Department Bank Reconciliations Harrison County Conservation Board bank reconciliation was presented for review. Resolution on Video Recording of Board of Supervisors Meetings Smith brought concerns about the number of cameras and how it’s a good idea to identify an area for media. He also brought concerns regarding whether the recording is considered public record and how the record should be maintained by the county. Wilkerson voiced concerns about restricting where cameras can be placed and if recordings from individual Board members became subject to public records requests. Attorney Delanty advised that it was best practice to make these records available for public records requests. RESOLUTION 2026-007 A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING A LOCATION FOR VIDEO RECORDING OF BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS AND CLARIFYING THE STATUS AND RETENTION OF SUCH RECORDINGS WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Harrison County, Iowa (“Board”) conducts its meetings in accordance with the requirements of the Iowa Open Meetings Law; and WHEREAS, members of the public and individual Board members may wish to video record meetings of the Board; and WHEREAS, the Board desires to ensure that such recording activities do not disrupt the orderly conduct of meetings; and WHEREAS, the Board also seeks to clarify the status of recordings made by individual Board members and the applicability of public records laws, including the Iowa Public Records Law; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA: 1. Designated Recording Area The Board hereby designates a specific area within the meeting room for the placement of video recording equipment by members of the public and Board members. - The designated area shall be identified by the County and may be modified as necessary to ensure safety, accessibility, and the orderly conduct of meetings. - All recording equipment must remain within the designated area unless otherwise authorized by the Chair. - Recording shall not obstruct ingress, egress, or visibility, nor interfere with the proceedings. 2. Non-Interference with Meetings All recording activity must be conducted in a manner that does not disrupt or delay the meeting. The Chair retains authority to enforce reasonable rules of conduct to maintain order. 3. Recordings by Individual Board Members Not Official Records Any video or audio recording made by an individual member of the Board of Supervisors using personal or non-county equipment shall not be considered an official record of the County or the Board, unless such recording is formally adopted or maintained by the County as an official record. 4. Public Records and Retention Obligations A Board member who creates a recording of a Board meeting in their official capacity may be deemed to have created a public record under Iowa law. - Such recordings may be subject to disclosure upon request unless a lawful exemption applies. - The Board member shall be responsible for compliance with applicable public records laws, including retention requirements under Iowa law and any applicable records retention schedules. - Nothing in this Resolution shall be interpreted to alter or limit the requirements of the Iowa Public Records Law. 5. No Creation of Official Recording Requirement Nothing in this Resolution shall be construed to require the County or Board to create or maintain an official video recording of its meetings. 6. Effective Date This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval. Motion by Smith, second by Rife. Wilkerson Nay. Smith Aye. Rife Aye. Motion carried. Handwritten Warrant to US Bank Motion to approve the handwritten warrant as presented in the amount of $9,418.83 by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Risk Manager Job Duties Risk Manager Rashelle Wohlers submitted her resignation letter to the Board. The Board thanked her for her service and the work that she did to develop the safety committee. Comments Rife - comments on the Golden Hills meeting and the interim director. Wilkerson – comments on the structures that Soil and Water are working on. Smith - comments on SWIPCO lawsuit that was settled. Deena Nelson – comments on roads. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. ATTEST: Megan Reffett, Auditor Brian Rife, Chairman May 2, 2026 Chairman Brian Rife and member Rebecca Wilkerson attended the District 15 State Representative forum at the Rand Center. General discussion was held; no action was taken. ATTEST: Megan Reffett, Auditor Brian Rife, Chairman HCTR5-13-26
