Harrison County Supervisors Meeting April 9, 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 2nd were approved with a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Paul Rhoten, Lary Clark, John Rasmussen, Brock Leaders, Dave Wigelt, Michele Stirtz, Marilyn J Mentzer, Matt Pitt, Rick Shearer Drainage Brush Control The Board met as trustees, all members present, for various drainage districts in Harrison County to discuss brush control. Also present were Nate Reffer, B & W Control Specialists, Rick Shearer, Shearer Contractors, and Michelle Kersten, Drainage Clerk. Nate Reffer reviewed the 2026 brush control schedule and amounts and presented the following information: Orson Hwy - $1,500.00 Soldier Valley- *Old Soldier Ditch - $15,500.00 *Soldier Valley - $16,500.00 *Spooner Ditch - $10,000.00 *West Soldier - $7,500.00 *East Soldier - $10,500.00 *Nelson Ditch - $8,500.00 Discussion was held regarding the max a district can spend before needing to place the project out for bid. As six of these districts come out of the same fund account, the total exceeds that amount and a timeline for bids has passed. It was decided to limit brush and weed control for these combined ditches to total and not exceed $49,000.00. The board will discuss placing brush and weed control out for bids, and/or look at hourly rates as other options for next year. Motion to approve Orson Hwy in the amount of $1,500.00, and a combined cost of the Soldier Valley, Spooner Ditch, West Solder, East Solder, and Nelson Ditch not to exceed $49,000.00 was made by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Unanimous approval. Ivanhoe Lane Vacation Petition Engineer Rasmussen presented the Board with a petition from landowners to vacate a portion of Ivanhoe Lane in section 35 of Raglan Township. All but one landowner signed the petition. Motion to receive the petition by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Temporary Sharing Agreement with Monona County for County Engineer Rasmussen presented the Board with a request from Monona County to share a county engineer due to them being without an engineer. Rasmussen presented a 28E agreement that would allow for sharing for up to one year with the ability for any party to terminate with a 30-day notice. The agreement proposed a 50% split in wages and benefits for each county with an increase in salary to $208,800. This would bring an approximate $70,000 savings to Harrison County compared to the current salary and benefits. Concerns were raised regarding the increase in salary. Rasmussen advised that the Board discuss the cost sharing with Monona County if they were not comfortable with salary. Engineer Update Engineer Rasmussen gave updates on projects that the department is working on. The joint grant project with Pottawattamie County that he had been working on was denied. He received a bridge closure notice for the St John 10 bridge south of Missouri Valley and is working on a solution to get it open. Noxious Weed List Weed Commissioner Brock Leaders presented the proposed noxious weed resolution. DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS WEEDS RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of Harrison County, Iowa, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 317, code of Iowa, it is hereby ordered that: Noxious weeds may be destroyed in any appropriate manner to prevent seed production, which may include mowing, pulling, burning, spraying, or cutting. THE FOLLOWNG WEEDS HAVE BEEN DECLARED NOXIOUS: 1. Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) 2. Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) 3. Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) 4. Teasel (Dipsacus spp.) 5. Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) 6. Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) 7. European Morning Glory or Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) 8. All other species of thistles belonging in the genus of Carduus If the owners or person in possession or control of ANY LAND IN HARRISON COUNTY fail to comply with the foregoing orders, the Weed Commissioner shall cause this to be done and the expense of said work, including costs of serving notice and other costs, if any, will be assessed against the land and the owners thereof. And that the County Auditor be and hereby directed to cause notice of the making and entering the foregoing order to be published once in each of the official newspapers of the County. Motion to approve as presented by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Rife Aye. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Woodbine Golf Course Liquor License Motion to approve liquor license for Woodbine Golf Course by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Sheriff’s Office Gutter and Soffit Repairs Sheriff Doiel presented the Board with a proposal for replacement of gutters and soffit on the Law Enforcement Center. The proposal for the project came in at approximately $100,000. The Board asked Doiel to get more bids but felt it was a necessary project. IT Start Date Prior to July 1st Concerns were raised with the start date of July 1st with current contracts ending June 30th. The Board agreed that it would be helpful to have the employee start part time as needed not to exceed 29.5 hours at a rate of $46.87. Motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Comments Smith provided comments on the April 17th EMA meeting 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 HCTR 4-22-26
