Supervisors approve third reading and adoption of Local Options Sales and Service Tax Ordinance, approve health insurance renewal recommendation
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 15 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of the Third Reading of Ordinance LXIV establishing Local Option Sales and Services Tax within Unincorporated Areas and Cities, a presentation of the Fiscal-Year 2025 Health Insurance Committee recommendation, and consideration of the Resolution obligating ARPA funds for election laptop computers. The April 15 meeting was held at the Allamakee County Veterans Museum in Waukon as part of the Supervisors’ annual schedule of library and alternate meeting locations within the county.
The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Mark Reiser present. There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that matter.
The meeting moved into the Third Reading of Ordinance LXIV establishing Local Option Sales and Services Tax (LOSST) within Allamakee County Unincorporated Areas and Cities. County Auditor Denise Beyer advised that no comments have been received and that the Ordinance establishes LOSST in unincorporated areas and in the City of New Albin for 10 years starting January 1, 2025 and the rest of the jurisdictions in the county perpetually. The Supervisors approved the Third Reading of Ordinance LXIV and then approved the adoption of Ordinance LXIV.
The meeting moved into a presentation relating to the Fiscal-Year 2025 (FY25) Health Insurance Committee’s recommendation. Brian Huinker with Midwest Group Benefits and County Engineer Brian Ridenour provided an overview of the Insurance Committee’s recommendation to move forward with a health insurance renewal with United Healthcare.
Ridenour noted that the committee’s decision was not unanimous with Huinker further providing a comparison between the Wellmark and United Healthcare quotes. The Supervisors approved the recommendation to move forward with the United Healthcare renewal with the County’s contribution of $175 per month per employee.
The Supervisors next addressed the consideration of the Resolution obligating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for updated election laptop computers. Beyer noted that laptops have been ordered and are being programmed in Des Moines as replacement for obsolete laptop computers. The Supervisors approved the obligation of ARPA funds not to exceed $10,000 for updated election laptop computers.
Quarterly Reports for the County Sheriff’s office, Relief office, Environmental Health, Auditor and Recorder were accepted and placed on file. Secondary Road Transfers from General Basic at $49,299.64 and from Rural Basic at $571,922.52 were also approved.
The meeting moved into the discussion and consideration of the resignation of a dispatcher/jailer and advertising this job opening to fill a vacancy. County Sheriff Clark Mellick advised that Dispatcher/Jailer Michael Handke has submitted his resignation after accepting another employment offer. The Supervisors approved to accept the resignation and to advertise for this employment vacancy.
The Supervisors next addressed the consideration of the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secondary Road Budget and Five-Year Construction Program. Ridenour noted that these items are submitted to IDOT annually with Ridenour providing an overview of Secondary Road Budget receipts and expenditures. He provided an overview of the Five-Year Construction Program using a map of the county illustrating planned projects.
Ridenour addressed the next matter relating to the consideration of contract and bond for a box culvert replacement project on Lansing Harpers Road. He noted that Minnowa Construction Inc. of Harmony, MN was the low bidder at $217,717.81. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved the contract and bond with Minnowa Construction.
To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, April 17, 2024 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition by clicking here.
