Harrison County Supervisors Meeting June 19, 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. Smith made the motion to approve minutes from the meetings held on June 5, 2025 and June 12, 2025, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Attendance: Deputy Auditor Taryn Wegner, Jon Rosengren, Susan Bonham, Shelia Phillips, Thad Pothast, Dave Sims, Paul Rhoten, Brandon Doiel, Brad Doyle, Michele Stirtz, David Sherer, Emily Allmon, Matt Pitt, Mari Jo Mentzer, Benjamin Schauer, Jack Jones, Laura Soetmelk Drainage Old Soldier District Jon Rosengren, Drainage Engineer, informed the board members about the arising issues with the DOT culverts in the channel along I-29. He had a discussion with the DOT on measurements and the existing easement. Jon and the board discussed what the County’s next steps are to resolve the culvert issues. Motion to direct Rosengren to take action in the courts to shorten the culverts by 2.5 feet by Rife, second by Smith. Motion carried. Noble Lake District Jon discussed needing permits to remove the beaver dam from Noble Lake district. Smith motioned for Rosengren to seek the permits needed, second by Rife. Motion carried. Interfund Operating Transfer An interfund operating transfer in the amount of $2,200,00 from Rural Basic to Secondary Roads was approved with a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Motion carried. Interfund Operating Transfer Interfund Operating Transfer An interfund operating transfer in the amount of $156,000 from General Basic to Secondary Roads was approved with a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Motion carried. Interfund Operating Transfer An interfund operating transfer in the amount of $97,220.50 from General Basic to Capital Projects was approved with a motion by Smith, second by Rife. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Motion carried. Interfund Operating Transfer An interfund operating transfer in the amount of $148,883 from General Basic to Capital Projects was approved with a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Motion carried. Interfund Operating Transfer An interfund operating transfer in the amount of $10,000 from Rural Basic to Flood and Erosion was approved with a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Motion carried. Sale of Surplus Property The Board discussed selling the surplus property on the East side of Block 22 in the Town of Magnolia. The following resolution to set the public hearing was approved on a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. RESOLUTION RESOLVED, the property described as Commencing at the SE corner of Lot 1, Block 22 Running thence 40 feet North, thence 5 feet East, thence 40 feet South, thence 5 feet West to the place of beginning. And Commencing at the NE corner of Lot 8, Block 22 Running thence East 5 feet, thence South 60 feet, thence West 5 feet, thence North 60 feet to the place of beginning, ALL in the Town of Magnolia, Harrison County, Iowa. Same being a portion of the street mentioned in ordinance No. 17 of the Incorporation Town of Magnolia. And located in the Town of Magnolia, Harrison County, Iowa shall be sold as surplus property. Public Hearing on this matter shall be scheduled for Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Property will be sold by sealed bids. Minimum bid will be set at $50.00. Passed and approve this 19th day of June 2025. Conservation Employee Payout Conservation Director Thad Pothast presented a payout claim for Kathy Dirks in the amount of $12,486.60. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Sheriff’s Deputy Payout Sheriff Brandon Doiel presented a payout claim for Garth Wolff in the amount of $1,463.67. Motion to approve and be paid in July by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Chairman Rife opened the zoning public hearing as advertised at 9:30 am. Bank reconciliation for Tax and Motor Vehicle Treasurer Shelia Phillips presented May’s bank reconciliations for the Board’s review. Zoning Public Hearings Zoning Administrator Matt Pitt reviewed the following requests: 1. A request from Kara Besaw to rezone approximately 5.5 acres from A-1Agricultural to R-1 Rural Residential on property located in part of the SW SW of Section 10-80-42. 2. A request from Marvin Kelley to rezone approximately 2 acres from A-1 Agricultural to R-1 Residential and create a Minor Sub on property located in part of the SW NE & NW SE of Section 30-81-41. 3. A request from Tim Raine to rezone approximately 2 acres from A-1 Agricultural to R-1 Rural Residential on property located in part of the NW NE of section 20-79-42. 4. The first reading of the zoning ordinance amendment 625 was held. ORDINANCE Amendment No. 625 Accessory dwelling unit (ADU)-An additional residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a single-family dwelling that is either attached to or detached from the single-family residence. Accessory dwelling units shall be allowed in the A-1, R-1, R-3 and R-6 zoning districts. Only one accessory dwelling unit is allowed per lot. The residential space of an ADU, exclusive of garages, car ports, decks, patios, porches, and other similar attached features, shall have a maximum allowable size of no greater than one thousand (1,000) square feet in area or fifty percent (50%) of the area occupied by the principal single-family dwelling, whichever is greater. All ADU's shall be subject to the same setback requirements as the principal single-family dwelling in the applicable zoning district. A mobile/manufactured home may be used as an ADU; however, any mobile/manufactured home used as an ADU shall be permanently affixed to the ground and installed with a permanent perimeter foundation. A recreational, travel, and/or camping trailer cannot be used as an ADU. After comments were heard, Smith made the motion to close the zoning public hearing, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Smith made the motion to approve the zoning request from Kara Besaw as presented, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Smith made the motion to approve the zoning and Minor sub request from Marvin Kelley as presented, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Smith made a motion to approve the zoning request from Tim Raine as presented, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Smith made the motion to waive the 2nd & 3rd readings of Ordinance Amendment No. 625, second Wilkerson. Motion carried. Smith made the motion to approve zoning ordinance amendment 625, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. County Engineer Salary increases for non-union employees Engineer Dave Sims discussed his department’s budget. Sims presented information about past raises given to union and non-union employees. He wants to improve morale, efficiency, and retention with all employees by adjusting the non-union employee raises. Rife commented that the salary increases set were fair, Smith agreed. No action was taken. Utility permit for Harrison County REC Sims requested approval for a utility permit for a project on 193rd lane. Smith made the motion to approve, second Wilkerson. Motion carried. Smith requested Sims present weekly project updates to the Board. Assessor – Department Updates Assessor Emily Allmon updated the Board on their Homestead audit this year. The Assessor’s Office will be sending postcards to receive clarification about current homestead exemptions. Salary Resolution for FY26 Payroll Clerk Morgan Cohrs presented the updated county employee salaries with raises given for the 2025-2026 year. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith made the motion to approve, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Motion carried. Health Insurance Benefit Check Policy Payroll clerk Morgan Cohrs presented to the Board a request to have the Health Insurance Benefit check paid through payroll effective immediately. The Board approved the policy with a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Comments Smith discussed internal problems in the Juvenile Detention Center Rife discussed meeting with a representative from Randy Feenstra’s office to discuss county issues. Public Comments Mari Jo Mentzer gave comments about the Assessor’s update on homesteads. Brad Doyel had questions about the minutes online vs. official minutes. Michele Stirtz had concerns about not being able to hear anyone in the room. She recommends getting a cheap microphone. Wilkerson made comments about Pottawattamie County not approving night meetings. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. ATTEST: Taryn Wegner, Deputy 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. HCTR 6-25-25
