Harrison County Supervisors Meeting May 15, 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 8th by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Paul Rhoten, Susan Bonham, Thad Pothast, Kim Crispin, Michelle Kersten, Tina Fagan, Bonnie Castillo, Jack Jones I29 Culvert Cease and Desist/Old Soldier Ditch The Board met as Trustees for the Old Soldier Ditch including Brian Rife, Tony Smith and Rebecca Wilkerson. Michelle Kersten, Drainage Clerk, was also present and Jon Rosengren, Drainage Engineer, joined by telephone. The board heard concerns from our Drainage Engineer regarding the DOT’s project. Motion for Mr. Rosengren and our Drainage Attorney, Keith Tucker, to construct a letter to send to the DOT for a cease and desist of their culvert project until further notice, motioned by Smith, second by Wilkerson, was unanimously approved. 2025 Drainage Assessments The Board met as Trustees for various drainage districts. Michelle Kersten, Drainage Clerk, presented the Board with the districts that are currently in debt. After discussion the following assessments were set on a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson: Adam Stokes 27% Cobb Creek 88% Coulthard 58% Cutt-Off Lake 0.03% Ehlert 140% Raglan Hwy 142% Roadifer Pump 33% Seick Levee 11% Soldier Valley 59% Upper Willow #1 0.009% Lieber Construction, Inc The Board met as Trustees for the C & R Drainage District. Michelle Kersten, Drainage Clerk, presented the Board with information and after discussion the following were approved: Pay request #8 in the amount of $138,449.53 to Lieber Construction, Inc, was unanimously approved on a motion by Wilkerson and second by Smith. Conservation Department Updates Conservation Director Thad Pothast gave updates on the Conservation Department including the status of the new Willow Lake Maintenance Building, the new access road from Willow Lake Park to the Nature Center, and the Willow Lake well project. Appointment of Medical Examiner Investigators The board approved the appointment of 7 individuals as Medical Examiner Investigators. Appointed individuals included Madelyn Brunow, Linda Sullivan, Tammy Hutchinson, Amanda Nordby, Karen Iversen, Tina Fagan, and Megan Phillips. Motion to appoint by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Transfer of State-owned property to the County EMA Director Bonnie Castillo presented to the Board a request from the State of Iowa for the County to take ownership to a pump that is being stored by the County in the Cincinnati shed. The pump is over 30 years old, and the State is disposing of it, and they will transfer it to the County at no cost. Motion to accept by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Name official County Newspaper Auditor Megan Reffett requested the Board name The Harrison County Times Reporter as the official County newspaper following the consolidation of The Dunlap Reporter and The Missouri Valley Times News effective May 1st. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Solutions Quote for updating Harrison County Website The board was presented with the quote in the amount of $525.00 to add additional tabs to the County’s website to add all outside boards and commissions. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Nay. Handwritten Warrant to US Bank The Board reviewed and approved the handwritten warrant to US Bank in the amount of $4,966.76. Motion to approve by Smith second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Resolutions for the Transfer of Property The board reviewed the resolution to transfer the County’s property at 2nd and E Main St in Pisgah to the City of Pisgah. RESOLUTION RESOLVED, the property described as Lot Eighteen (18) in Block Four (4) in the town of Pisgah, Harrison County, Iowa. Parcel # 5200002314100000 Shall be transferred from Harrison County to the City of Pisgah, conveyed by Quitclaim Deed. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Change request #4 and #5 for Courthouse Door Project Auditor Megan Reffett presented the Board with the requested changes. Change request #4 in the amount of -$1,646.00 will remove the drain on the West side of the Courthouse. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Change request #5 in the amount of $3,331.00 is to level the landing on the East side of the Courthouse. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Extension of Engineer contract with Pottawattamie County The Board discussed that the contract with Pottawattamie County will be expiring on May 22nd and was advised that Interim Engineer Rasmussen did not feel it was necessary to extend the contract as there will not be claims or payroll that will need to be signed prior to the new Engineer starting in June. The board agreed and chose not to extend the contract with Pottawattamie County. Comment Chairman Rife presented that he talked with the DOT regarding the hiring of the new Engineer and that the DOT was accepting of his certifications. The EMA Director gave an update on the boil advisory in Persia and the low-pressure status and the new pump that is being installed. Bonnie Castillo gave comments to members Smith and Rife and thanked them for all they have done for her during her time here. Paul Rhoten thanked the County for the work they did on Laredo Ave and asked that they look into the processes that they use. Rebecca Wilkerson gave comments on the Board of Health. 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 5-21-25
