Harrison County Supervisors Meeting January 31, 2024 The Board of Supervisors met as part of the Assessor’s Conference Board. Official minutes are on file with the Harrison County Assessor. ATTEST: Susan Bonham, Auditor Tony Smith, Chairman February 1, 2024 Chairman Tony Smith called the meeting to order with members Brian Rife and John Straight in attendance. Motion to approve the tentative agenda was made 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, Paul J. Rhoten, Rebecca Wilkerson, Lacey Ardery, Dave Sims Public Health Lacey Ardery from public health told the Board that a plumbing repair was needed in their building. Estimated cost is $8,840. The department may need a future budget amendment. The Board said to go ahead and do the repair. Stamped Drainage Interest and Drainage Maintenance Contract The Board met as Trustees for the Board supervised drainage districts and discussed the following: Stamped drainage interest; currently the stamped drainage interest is set at 6% and after discussion the Board felt that it made sense to lower the interest to 5%. On a motion by Rife, seconded by Straight, the Board voted unanimously to lower the stamped drainage interest warrant to 5%. Maintenance contract; the maintenance contract with Shearer Contractors was presented for renewal. Eizabeth Lenz, Drainage Clerk, presented the Board with the updated contracts. The changes included price increases, the length of the contract changing from 3 years to 1 year, and a clause allowing termination of the contract by either party with a 30 days’ notice. On a motion by Rife, seconded by Straight, the contract was unanimously approved. Liquor License A liquor license renewal for the Logan-Missouri Valley Country Club was approved pending dram shop submittal on a motion by Straight, second by Rife. Motion carried. Grant Application Auditor Bonham informed the Board that she had applied for a grant from the Harrison County Community Foundation for the purchase of new election laptops as the current ones were purchased in 2018. No action needed. Surplus Property The Board discussed selling the land adjacent to the 911 tower in St John Township. A resolution to sell the property will be placed on next week’s agenda. Orson Public Hearing Chairman Smith opened the public hearing for the proposed unused street/alley vacation in the unincorporated area of Orson. No comments were received. Motion to close the public hearing was made by Rife, second by Straight. Motion carried. Motion to approve Resolution 2024-001 was by Rife, second by Straight. Motion carried. Resolution 2024-001 WHEREAS, the Harrison County Board of Supervisors was petitioned by Dave A. Sims of 1704 165th Trail, Mondamin, IA, Jackson Twp, Harrison County, to vacate a portion of the platted alleys and streets in the unincorporated town of Orson, Iowa, said streets and alleys are located in: That part of the Alley lying between Lot 2 and Lots 14, 15 and 16, Block 1, Town of Orson, Harrison County, Iowa; That part of the Alley that lies adjacent to Lot 2 and Lot 14 and adjacent to Lots, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 Block 1, Town of Orson, Harrison County, Iowa, Except Parcel C as described in the Plat of Survey recorded in Book 2007 Page 1533, filed May 22, 2007, in the Harrison County, Recorder’s Office; That part of Oak Street that lies adjacent to Lots 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, Block 1, and adjacent to Lots 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, Block 2, Town of Orson, Harrison County, Iowa; Alley adjacent to Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11; and Lots 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, Block 2, Town of Orson, Harrison County, Iowa; Ash Street, that lies between Block 2 and Block 3, Town of Orson, Harrison County, Iowa; That part of the alley that lies adjacent to Lots 4 and 5, and adjacent to Lots 6, 7 & 8, Block 3, Town of Orson, Harrison County, Iowa. WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the streets and alleys located in the above-described tracts should be vacated. THEREFORE, the Board having held a public hearing to vacate the streets and alleys as d escribed above and located within the unincorporated Town of Orson, Jackson Twp, Harrison County, Iowa as advertised, makes the following decision: Ownership of the above-described vacated streets and alleys is hereby transferred to Dave A. Sims. Dated this 1st day of February, 2024. Engineer County Engineer Steve Struble met with the Board and gave updates on the following projects: 194th Street Bridge at Kendrick over Allen Creek – Contractor has essentially completed the bridge project. The bride is expected to be open to traffic this weekend. FM Asphalt Resurfacing on L34/Overton Avenue south of Logan, Harris Grove Creek to Pott County 7.7 Miles – Pott County Engineer returned the draft of the agreement for cost share with a few minor revisions, but Engineer Struble rejected his request to meet 28E requirements. The agreement has been forwarded to County Attorney for review. Areas on Panora and Melody Oaks needing attention were addressed by Engineer Struble and the Board. Discussion about the County purchasing trucks and hiring additional staff instead of contracting for this service took place. Engineer Struble said that in the last five years, this contracted service cost the County approximately $1,099,000 for one contractor. The Board thought the County could save money by incorporating this service within the department. The Board asked Engineer Struble to present them a proposal. A utility application for underground electric line at 160th and Eden Ave was approved on a motion by Rife, second by Straight. Motion carried. FY25 Budget Auditor Bonham reviewed the proposed maximum property tax levies for FY25. This will be discussed in more detail next week and will request a public hearing be set. Comments Comments on the County’s budget, compensation board, trucks, conservation trust and budget deadlines were given by Rebecca Wilkerson. Paul Rhoten commented on management’s decision on keeping employees busy. 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 2-14-24 TDR 2-15-24
