Harrison County Supervisors Meeting June 5, 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. Motion to approve minutes from May 29th by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Paul Rhoten, Mari Jo Mentzer, Michele Stirtz, Thad Pothast, Benjamin Schauer Board of Supervisors Evening Meetings The Board discussed the possibility of holding night meetings. Supervisor Wilkerson suggested holding night meetings once a month with agenda items that would be of interest to the public to see if people would show up. Chairman Rife brought up that he felt it would not be transparent to the public to be moving meeting times. Wilkerson felt it was transparent if it was communicated in advance when the meeting would be held. Wilkerson motioned to hold a trial evening meeting tentatively on the 2nd Thursday in August, second by Smith. Wilkerson Aye. Smith Nay. Rife Nay. Little Sioux Sewer FY26 Auditor Reffett presented the proposed budget for the Little Sioux Sewer for FY26 with no changes from the current year. Motion to approve as presented by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Outstanding Warrant Resolution The board reviewed the presented Outstanding Warrant Resolution. Outstand Warrant Resolution WHEREAS, the Auditor has on her books a number of outstanding warrants over one year old; WHEREAS, the Auditor is requesting approval to cancel these outstanding warrants by the Board of Supervisors; THEREFORE, the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors is to cancel the outstanding warrants listed below. The Board of Supervisors hereby approves the cancellation of the following outstanding warrants listed and a credit of each warrant amount shall be made to the appropriate fund. Warrant Fund Warrant Date Payee Amount 77814 50000 06/26/2023 Kim M Crispin $89.76 78409 20000 07/24/2023 Country Hardware and Supply $235.97 78881 02000 08/14/2023 William B Heim $57.75 79473 01000 09/11/2023 Debra R Eickholt $129.36 80856 01000 11/17/2023 Samuel Beck $216.88 80858 01000 11/17/2023 Gary E Dickinson $23.09 81571 60000 12/22/2023 Jiffy Mart $63.47 81918 01000 01/12/2024 Cadence Harkless $230.72 82111 01000 01/22/2024 Kristin E Leon $150.34 83238 01000 03/22/2024 Ryan M Wohlers $23.07 83756 68000 04/08/2024 Starla Ruffcorn $320.00 84061 01000 05/03/2024 Michael L Perkins $23.09 84531 01000 05/24/2024 Board Creators $15.00 84668 01000 05/31/2024 Jill M Higgins $23.07 Pursuant to Code of Iowa 331.554 a person may file a claim with the Auditor for the amount of the canceled warrant within one year of the date of this resolution and upon showing of proper proof that the claim is true and unpaid, the Auditor shall issue a warrant drawn upon the fund from which the original canceled warrant was drawn. Motion to approve the resolution by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Rural Transit System Joint Participation Agreement The board reviewed the presented agreement and discussed the benefits that the program brings to County residents. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Land Donation to Harrison County Conservation Board The Conservation Director presented the Board with a section of land that has been offered to the Conservation Department for preservation. The ground is approximately 10 acres and has never been developed in any way and the current owner is looking to donate it to the County to allow it to continue to be preserved. He discussed the department’s ideas of what this property could be used for and the possibility of a day park for residents. Member Wilkerson brought concerns about the costs of developing the property and the long-term costs to the County. Director Thad Pothast discussed with the board that the property is in good condition and wouldn’t require a lot of work right now. Wilkerson questioned if it would be better for the City of Missouri Valley to accept the donation since it is within the city limits. Member Wilkerson motioned to table the discussion until Pothast could bring back numbers with annual costs to maintain the property, motion died due to lack of a second. Member Smith asked what the estimated annual upkeep on the property would be. Thad estimated that it would take a little work in the beginning but felt after that it would be minimal. Motion to accept the donation of approximately 10 acres from Eric Roberts by Smith, second by Rife. Smith Aye. Rife Aye. Wilkerson Nay. Liquor License for Sustainable Sanctuary LLC The Board approved the Liquor License for Sustainable Sanctuary with a motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Tobacco License for Taylor’s Oil Company The Board approved the Tobacco License for Taylor’s Oil Company with a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Resolution Authorizing Dave Sims to Act for Farm-to-Market and Federal or State Aid The Board reviewed the following resolution. Resolution BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Harrison County, Iowa, that Dave Sims, the County Engineer of Harrison County, Iowa, be and is hereby designated, authorized, and empowered on behalf of the Board of Supervisors of said County to execute the certification of completion of work and final acceptance thereof in accordance with plans and specifications in connection with all Farm-to-Market and Federal or State aid construction projects in this county. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Credit Card for Dave Sims The Board approved the issuance of a county credit card for The County Engineer, Dave Sims. Motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Engineer Department Updates County Engineer Dave Sims gave updates on his first week in the office. He has been reviewing the budget in preparation for year end spending. Sims updated the board that he will have unspent funds in the New Equipment and Roadway Construction line items that he will be needed in next year’s budget. Comments Treasurer Shelia Phillips – gave updates on abandoned properties around the County and how cities are not doing their part to get them back on the tax roll. Mari Jo Mentzer – Commented on the abandoned properties in Missouri Valley and how they are not upkeeping them. Michele Stirtz – Commented on the land donation to Harrison County Conservation and that it will be a great addition for the County and thanked for Board for accepting it. Supervisor Wilkerson – Expressed remorse about last week’s meeting with the Sheriff’s appointments and increased salary requests. 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 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 06-11-25
