Harrison County Supervisors Meeting February 8, 2024 Chairman Tony Smith called the meeting to order with members Brian Rife and John Straight in attendance. The tentative agenda was approved on a motion by Straight, second by Rife. Motion carried. Previous minutes were approved on a motion by Straight, second by Rife. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Susan Bonham, Deputy Auditor Megan Reffett, Scott Nelson, Lance Brisbois, Paul J. Rhoten, Rebecca Wilkerson, Ashley West, Jack Jones Golden Hills RC & D The Board reviewed the request from Golden Hills RC & D for a $12,000 contribution listed as operational capacity. Lance Brisbois from Golden Hills presented a listing of projects assisted by Golden Hills’ staff. The Board had concerns that a change in focus was needed by top management and therefore would not be contributing any tax dollars this year. Surplus Property The Board discussed selling the surplus property adjacent to the 911 tower in St John Twp. The following resolution was approved on a motion by Rife, second by Straight. Motion carried. RESOLUTION RESOLVED, the property described as Part of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (SE1/4NW1/4) in Section Twenty-five (25), Township Seventy-eight (78) North, Range Forty-four (44) West of the 5th P.M., Harrison County, Iowa, described as follows: The East 500 feet of Parcel B of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (SE1/4NW1/4) in Section Twenty-five (25), Township Seventy-eight (78) North, Range Forty-four (44) West of the 5th P.M., Harrison County, Iowa. NOTE: Bearings are assumed and based on the East line of the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter (SE1/4NE1/4) in Section 25-78-44 as bearing S0°00’00”E. And Part of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (SE1/4NW1/4) in Section Twenty-five (25), Township Seventy-eight (78) North, Range Forty-four (44) West of the 5th P.M., Harrison County, Iowa, described as follows: The North 50 feet and the East 500 feet of Parcel A of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (SE1/4NW1/4) in Section Twenty-five (25), township Seventy-eight (78) North, range forty-four (44) West of the 5th P.M., Harrison County, Iowa. And located in St John Township, Harrison County, Iowa shall be sold as surplus property. Public Hearing on this matter shall be scheduled for Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.. Property will be sold by sealed bids. Minimum bid will be set at $50,000. Passed and approved this 8th day of February, 2024. Handwritten Warrant A handwritten warrant to US Bank in the amount of $6,078.90 was approved on a motion by Straight, second by Rife. Motion carried. Budget Questions Rebecca Wilkerson had budget questions on the County Attorney and County Auditor budgets. Responses were given. Engineer County Engineer Steve Struble met with the Board and gave the following updates: 194th Street Bridge at Kendrick over Allen Creek – Crane will be moved out when road conditions allow. County crew will install the extended curl end for the NW of the corner guardrail in the spring. FM Asphalt Resurfacing on L34/Overton Avenue south of Logan - Harris Grove Creek to Pott County 7.7 miles – The agreement has been reviewed and ready for approval/signatures. The blades have been out pulling in rock this week. Trucks are stockpiling rock at the sheds out of Schildberg’s. County crew cleared and piled brush on Adams Trail with the excavator and skid loader, bladed 194th Street bridge project after rock was delivered, and filled in some edge ruts with rock on 335th Street. Discussion took place on the Washington #2 bridge at Duane McDonald. Contractors were on site to make recommendations for saving as much of the existing bridge as economically practical. Moving the road and other possible run-arounds were discussed. Engineer Struble discussed renting building space for equipment so that it won’t sit out in the elements. More information will be presented. Discussion took place on possible areas needing attention on 194th St (orchard area). Also possible improvements by the landowners on their private road in the area. After last week’s discussion on rock hauling, Engineer Struble thought that they could purchase a couple of pup trailers to use on existing trucks and hire a new employee or two. The Board would like to see the end of contract hauling and do it in-house. FY25 Budget Auditor Bonham reviewed the FY25 budget with the Board. Proposed health insurance rates won’t be as bad as first expected. The insurance committee will be meeting again next week and will present the findings and recommendations to the Board. No action on salaries. The proposed maximum levy rates will be $6.80177 per thousand dollars of valuation (city) and $9.81154 per thousand dollars of valuation (rural). Proposed city rate is $0.03309 per thousand dollars of valuation increase and proposed rural rate is $0.0572 per thousand dollars of valuation decrease. Since the Board is still working on the budget, these rates will not be increased and could be lowered. Rife made the motion to set a public hearing date of February 29, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. on the proposed levy rates, second by Straight. Motion carried. Claims Claims, as presented, were stamped for approval. Comments Jack Jones made comments about 193rd Lane and 194th St. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Rife, second by Straight. Motion carried. ATTEST: Susan Bonham, Auditor Tony Smith, 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 2-21-24 TDR 2-22-24
