Harrison County Supervisors Meeting January 30, 2025 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order with members Tony Smith and Rebecca Wilkerson in attendance. Motion to approve the tentative agenda was made by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Paul J. Rhoten, Shelia Phillips, Scott Nelson, Rashelle Wohlers, Susan Bonham, Aaron Hickman, Laura Soetmelk, Jack Jones, Mary Moore, Deena Nelson, Amber Nelson, Michele Stirtz, Dan Cohrs, Tina Jennum, Todd Denton, Susan Bonham Public Comment Policy A new public comment policy aimed at helping keep control and allowing everyone the chance to talk was presented. Member Wilkerson raised concerns about rushing into approving the policy and requested more time to research it. A motion to approve the presented policy was made by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Wilkerson Nay, Smith Yay, Rife Yay. Motion carried. Discussion on elevator maintenance Member Wilkerson brought up concerns about the current provider not servicing the courthouse elevator properly. County Attorney Delanty offered to help with the current provider since she had dealt with this company previously and had contacts that may be able to help. Discussion on Automatic Locking Doors for the Courthouse The possibility of automatic locking doors was presented to the Board. The request was that they be installed on the Courthouse during the current replacement of the Courthouse entrances. The County Attorney also requested that they be looked at for the Courthouse Annex building. The board agreed that it would be a good time to look into this. Auditor Reffett will reach out to get a quote on the project. Discussion on County Engineer Position Engineer Struble presented to the board about his upcoming retirement. He updated the board that his position had been posted on the state’s county engineer website. He also discussed with Pottawattamie County regarding the possibility of helping until we can hire someone to help make sure that projects continue to go through, and funding is not delayed. The board looked at the resolution and requested to research options and bring it back next week. County Compensation Board Resolution The Board discussed the option of reestablishing the County Compensation Board. The Board of Supervisors discussed that if they do not reestablish the Compensation Board then the Board of Supervisors will be responsible for doing the work to set salaries and justify the salaries. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A COUNTY COMPENSATION BOARD A resolution by Harrison County to establish a county compensation board as authorized by Iowa Code Section 331.905. WHEREAS, pursuant to Iowa Code Section 331.905, as amended in 2024 by Senate File 2442, the county board of supervisors may vote to establish a county compensation board. WHEREAS, pursuant to this same Code Section, when the board of supervisors establishes a county compensation board, the compensation board shall be comprised of seven members who are residents of the county. Two members shall be appointed by the board of supervisors, one member each by the county auditor, county attorney, county recorder, county treasurer, and county sheriff. The members of the county compensation board shall not be officers or employees of the state or a political subdivision of the state and shall serve staggered terms. WHEREAS, lots were drawn to determine the duration of initial staggered terms for members of the county compensation board. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, Harrison County hereby establishes a county compensation board for the county. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Harrison County directs each of the elected officials to submit their respective appointments to the board of supervisors by January 31, 2025. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the representatives of the county auditor, county attorney, county recorder, county treasurer, and county sheriff shall serve an initial term of four years. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution shall apply retroactively to July 1, 2024. HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Harrison County on this 30 day of January, 2025. A motion to approve the presented resolution to reinstate the county Compensation Board. Motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Approval of Pay Application #1 for Courthouse Entrance Project The board approved the first pay application to Barry Larson & Son in the amount of $6,350.75. Motion by Smith, Second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Appointment of County Safety Committee To be in compliance with the new policy from IMWCA the board appointed the following members to the County Safety Committee. One Board of Supervisors Member Auditor Treasurer County Attorney County Sherrif Recorder Engineer Public Health Director EMA Director Assessor Conservation Director Vetrans Affairs Director Planning and Zoning Administrator County Risk Manager Motion by Smith, Second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. County Engineer Utility application from Quick Current-Nebraska Member Smith made a motion to approve the application from Quick Current-Nebraska to install fiber optic line on existing Aeron conduit, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Utility application from MidAmerican Energy Member Wilkerson made a motion to approve the application from MidAmerican Energy to install fiberoptic lines in county roads in the US Hwy 30 corridor and along 250th St, second by Smtih. Motion carried. Exempt session Member Wilkerson made a motion to enter into exempt session pursuant to Iowa Code section 20.17 (3): “Negotiating sessions, strategy meetings of public employers, mediation, and the deliberative process of arbitrators shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 21.”, second by Smtih. Wilkerson Yay, Smith Yay, Rife Yay. Questions regarding the Harrison County Conservation Board Appointment Jeff Seago presented the Board with questions regarding the board’s appointment to the Harrison County Conservation Board. Seago questioned the board’s rejection through inaction of Danelle Myer’s appointment and what their reasoning was. Member Smith stated that he wanted to see new people on the board. Seago brought up a past conversation between member Smith and HCCB member Nunez during and following a HCCB meeting. He asked if this conversation influenced Smith’s decision in not appointing Director Thad Pothast’s recommendation. Seago questioned if this board was singled out as retaliation for this conversation. Member Smith stated that he made his decision on a comment made at a HCCB meeting where he was told he should adapt to them. He didn’t feel that the person who was approving their budget should be adapting to their board. He stated that this comment made him feel that there needed to be new people. Member Wilkerson stated that the decision had been made, and it was not constructive to continue to talk about this. Public Comment Scott Nelson had comments regarding the Harrison County Conservation Board. Mary Moore had comments about the outside Boards within the county and how people can learn more about them. Michele Stirtz had comments about the public comment policy and requested the board try to explain more about documents they receive and discuss during the meeting. Susan Bonham had comments about Member Smith touching her personal property when she stepped out of the meeting last week. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Megan Reffett, Auditor Brian Rife, Chairman NOTE: These minutes are as recorded by the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors and are subject to Board approval at the next regular meeting. MVTN 2-5-25 TDR 2-6-25
