Board of Supervisors Minutes
March 2018

March 6, 2018: 

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Hickey, Graham, and Hendrickson present. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous board session and the minutes of the Scott Drainage District Meeting on February 27, 2018, were read and approved.  The agenda was approved as posted. 

Also present were Matt and Nick Shearer. 

Riley Moreland met with the board to discuss the possibility of a free library on courthouse property. The Little Free Library is a box on a pole where people can trade books back and forth. The library is considering the courthouse lawn and the Pop-Up Artisans locations. Hendrickson and Hickey have reservations about putting up a permanent structure on the lawn and what precedence that might set. They like the idea and suggested that they use the Pop-Up Artisan location and people would be more than welcome to bring their books over and read them on the courthouse lawn. Moreland also thanked the board for their budgetary contribution to the library. They appreciate the support. 

Engineer Dan Davis met with the board for two signings.

Motion made by Hendrickson to allow Chairman Hickey to sign work in ROW Permit for Atchison-Holt Electric Cooperative for overhead line to be installed on outer edge of ROW beginning 3200’ south of 250th Street & extending 2000’ south on 390th Avenue. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion made by Graham to allow Chairman Hickey to sign work in ROW Permit for MidAmerican Energy Company for overhead line on M-18, 2 miles southwest from Farragut (0.25) miles north of the intersection of 250th Street and 390th Avenue. Motion carried unanimously. 

Matt and Nick Shearer stopped to visit with the board to discuss concerns with their septic system issue. The board placed this item on the agenda for next week for discussion and action. 

At 9:46 a.m., Hickey left the meeting. 

At 9:47 a.m. the board received a conference call from Page County Board of Supervisors regarding setting a levy rate for Johnson Run Drainage District. Page County advised there is maintenance needed. A 25% levy will generate approximately $1,870 in Fremont County’s portion of the district. Motion by Page County Supervisor Chuck Morris to levy 25% for Johnson Run Drainage District. Graham seconded. Graham, aye. Hendrickson, aye. Armstrong, aye. Herzberg, aye. Morris, aye. 

Claims were approved for March 9, 2018. 

In other business, the Recorder’s Monthly Report for February was approved. 

 At 9:57 a.m., there being no further business, Hendrickson made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST:
 

March 13, 2018:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Hickey, Graham, and Hendrickson present. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved.  The agenda was approved as posted. 

Let the records show that Sandy Parmenter from the Valley News Today and April Topham from the Hamburg Reporter were present for this meeting. 

The board discussed the septic issue of Matt and Nick Shearer. The county attorney spoke to the insurance company regarding the matter. She recommended the board review the invoice carefully. She also wanted the board to be aware that the insurance company only pays a portion of the invoice. There is a $10,000.00 maximum per year for this type of claim. The insurance company will reimburse the county for 75% of the claim. The county attorney also recommends that the board, even though the county is not liable, should have the Shearer’s sign a full release of liability. The Shearer’s agreed to sign the release. The amount of the bill is $10,029.33. Motion made by Graham to pay $5,000.00 to Matt Shearer upon the signing of the release. Motion carried unanimously. 

Let the records show that Frank Faust did not attend the meeting with the board regarding cell phone tower placement. 

Weed Commissioner Howard Nelson met with the board to discuss options for spraying the weeds in the county road ditches. Hickey advised Nelson that he should let the road department know if there was something that needed to be sprayed. They have the equipment needed. Nelson would like a notice in the paper regarding the spraying of weeds. Communication is necessary so that people know that they can reach out to have the weeds sprayed. Graham suggested that it be posted on the secondary roads page of the county website. 

At 9:18 a.m., Graham made the motion to recess until the 10:00 a.m. public hearing for the budget. Motion carried unanimously. 

At 9:59 a.m., motion made by Hendrickson to re-open the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. 

At 10:00 a.m., motion was made by Hendrickson to go into public hearing.  A public hearing for adoption of the 2018/2019 Fremont County Budget was held. Present were Supervisors Randy Hickey, Terry Graham, Earl Hendrickson, and Auditor Dee Owen. Also present was Sandy Parmenter from the Valley News Today. At 10:01 a.m., hearing no objections, motion was made by Hendrickson to close the public hearing and pass the following resolutions to approve the FY 2018/2019 Fremont County Budget.  Motion carried unanimously. 

RESOLUTION NO. 2018-18

WHEREAS, the Fremont County Compensation Board meets annually to recommend a compensation schedule for elected officials for the fiscal year immediately following, in accordance with Iowa Code Chapters 331.905 and 331.907, and

WHEREAS, the Fremont County Compensation Board met on December 6, 2017, and made the following salary recommendations for the following elected officials for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018:
 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Fremont County Board of Supervisors approves the following salary adjustments for the following elected officials for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018: 
 

Approved this 13th day of March, 2018.

FREMONT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 
        

RESOLUTION NO.  2018-19

RESOLUTION FOR ADOPTION OF BUDGET AND CERTIFICATION OF TAXES:

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors this 13th day of March 2018, that the proposed budget for fiscal year July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019, after one public hearing as required by law on March 13th, 2018, be adopted as proposed and published.  Property taxes levied will be as follows:  County wide levies; General Basic amount of $2,146,177 with a rate of 3.75000, General Supplemental amount of $1,259,090 with a rate of 2.20000; County Services Fund amount of $125,829 with a rate of .21986, County Debt Levy (LEC) $372,038 with a rate of .64295 with a countywide valuation without gas and electric of $572,313,797. Rural Services with a valuation without gas and electric of $454,926,727 for an amount of $1,501,258 at the rate of 3.30000.  Grand total dollars are $5,404,392.

Motion to approve by Hendrickson, carried unanimously.
 

RESOLUTION NO.  2018-20

RESOLUTION FOR APPROPRIATIONS 

WHEREAS, it is desired to make appropriations for each of the different officers and departments for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018 in accordance with Section 331.434, Subsection 6, Code of Iowa.

THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors this 13th day of March 2018, the following:  SECTION 2: The amounts itemized by fund and department on the attached schedule are hereby appropriated from the resources/fund as shown.   SECTION 2: Subject to the provisions of other county procedures and regulations, and applicable state law, the appropriations authorized under Section 1 shall constitute an authorization for the department/officer listed to make expenditures or incur obligations from the itemized fund, effective July 1, 2018; SECTION 3: In accordance with Section 331.437, Code of Iowa, no department/officer shall incur any liability in excess of the amount appropriated to this resolution.  SECTION 4: If, at any time during the 2018/2019 budget year the Auditor ascertains that the available resources of a fund will be less than said fund's total appropriations, he/she shall immediately inform the Board and recommend appropriate corrective action.  SECTION 5: The Auditor shall establish separate accounts for the appropriations authorized in Section 1.  The Auditor shall report the status of such accounts to the applicable departments/officers monthly during the 2018/2019 budget year.  SECTION 6: All appropriations authorized pursuant to this resolution lapse at the close of business on June 30, 2019.  The above and foregoing resolution was adopted by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 13th, 2018.

Motion to approve by Hendrickson, carried unanimously.
 

Claims were approved for March 16, 2018. 

In other business, the Sheriff’s Monthly Report for February was approved. 

 At 10:10 a.m., there being no further business, Graham made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                Randy Hickey, Chairman

March 20, 2018:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Hickey, Graham, and Hendrickson present. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved.  The agenda was approved as posted. 

Sandy Parmenter from the Valley News Today was present for this meeting. 

Let the records show that United Group Insurance/GBL was unable to attend this meeting. 

Troy Housh, Maintenance, met with the board requesting approval of the Lawn World contract renewal.  He presented a plan that included a 5-step plan for fertilizer, treatment of grubs, and aeration. There is a cost savings for paying it up front in lieu of making payments. Housh advised that he has the funds in his budget. Hendrickson moved to approve the Lawn World contract.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion was made by Hendrickson to sign Cost Advisory Services Certification of Cost Allocation Plan.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Joella Travis met with the board to discuss the use of the courthouse parking lot for a community event. They are having a Junk in the Trunk event April 27th through the 29th. They would like to use the courthouse parking lot on Saturday and Sunday for vendors. Motion made by Graham to allow use of the parking lot on April 28th and 29th. Motion carried unanimously.  

Claims were approved for March 23, 2018. 

 At 9:33 a.m., there being no further business, Hickey made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                Randy Hickey, Chairman

March 27, 2018:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Hickey, Graham, and Hendrickson present. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved.  The agenda was approved as posted. 

Let the records show that Sandy Parmenter from the Valley News Today, April Topham from the Hamburg Reporter, and Dan Swanson from Big Apple Radio were present for this meeting. 

Engineer Dan Davis met with the board for the signing and approval of the following:

Motion made by Hendrickson to allow Chairman Hickey to sign payment voucher for HGM Associates for engineering services on Project #STP-S-CO36(75) - - 5E-36. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion made by Graham to allow Chairman Hickey to sign permit to apply dust control on county roads for the 2018 season for Jerico Services, Inc. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion made by Hendrickson to sign DOT 5-year program and budget. Motion carried unanimously. 

Engineer Davis asked that all employees receive 2% except his assistant engineer who has taken on many more responsibilities. He asked that the assistant engineer receive 5%. The board would like to check on the rules for salary raises. Motion made by Graham to table signing resolution on salaries for non-union personnel for Secondary Road Department. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion was made by Graham table the approval a three-year employment contract and agreement for the county engineer as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.  

At 9:19 a.m., Mike Peterson with KMA joined the meeting. 

Sheriff Kevin Aistrope met with the board regarding a school resource officer. Also present were Superintendent Tim Hood from Sidney School and Assistant Mills County Attorney Tyler Loontjer. Attorney Loontjer discussed the duties of the SRO. He stated that this type of officer builds a positive relationship with kids at a young age in lieu of their first contact with law enforcement being negative. In schools that he has worked with the school usually pays benefits and salary for 9 months out of the year. The sheriff’s office would then pay those costs during the summer months. They, in turn, would have an extra road deputy for the summer months. Graham asked if the SRO is placed on leave for some reason would the sheriff’s office then be responsible for replacing that officer. Loontjer stated that is correct they would have to have someone with training as a back-up. Hood stated that he has been contacted more than once from parents asking for a full-time officer for Sidney instead of sharing. Graham believes that the disadvantages outweigh the benefits. He would like to see more progressive actions at the school before hiring a resource officer like making the school more secure and other steps taken within the school. Sheriff Aistrope advised that he believes the safety of the students is top priority. If the schools and the board decide to go ahead with a resource officer he will be here to help 100%. He believes it needs to be the same person every day to blend and build the relationship. Hickey and Hendrickson stated they would like them to explore the idea. After much discussion, the board asked that it be put on the agenda in two weeks on April 10th.

Renae Johanningmeier with Group Benefits, Ltd., met with the board regarding group health insurance. She discussed Iowa Public Employees Pool (IPEP). She stated that she could get a market quote in two weeks with just a small amount of information. She gave a list of their benefits and other services that they offer. Hickey and Owen advised that ISAC’s new partnership with Kingston Insurance also offers similar if not the same benefits. Motion by Hendrickson to allow Group Benefits, Ltd. to check the market on behalf of Fremont County. Hickey, nay. Graham, nay. Hendrickson, aye. Motion failed. 

Claims were approved for March 30, 2018. 

The board approved a claim for Scott Drainage District in the amount $9,675.00 payable to C.D. Construction, LLC, for drainage district cleanout. 

 At 10:22 a.m., there being no further business, Hendrickson made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                Randy Hickey, Chairman

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