Supervisors meet in regular session

by Bob Beach

During public comment time at the regular meeting of the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, August 5, Betty Larsen of Waukon addressed the Board regarding the reported shortage of mental health beds and the closed Makee Manor facility. Larsen said that Sheriff Clark Mellick's suggestion that mental health facilities be included in plans for a new public safety center reminded her of Bob and Kristi Hager's offer to purchase Makee Manor and staff the facility with volunteers. She said that option seemed much more economical to her and asked the Board to reconsider the Hagers' offer.
Chairman Larry Schellhammer said that the type of mental health facility that the Sheriff was suggesting for the new public safety center would be much different than what the Hagers had proposed. He said that Makee Manor is no longer for sale but that an auction of the contents is being planned.
Supervisor Sherry Strub said that while she supports the Hagers' vision of a privately funded, volunteer-run facility, she believes Makee Manor is too large to be used to fulfill that vision.
During regular business, County Attorney Jill Kistler presented the Board with notices of termination of the farm leases with Ed and George Bieber and Brian Stortz for land at the County Farm. Kistler told the Board that both leases are due to expire but that notices of termination must be served prior to September 1 in order to prevent automatic renewal of the leases. The Board approved the notices and agreed to have them delivered by certified mail.
The Board also met with County Engineer Brian Ridenour for the opening of bids for 16,200 gallons of LP gas for various County departments. Fauser Energy Resources submitted the low bid of $1.398 per gallon. Ridenour told the Board that Fauser is the County's current supplier and that they have provided good service. The Board voted to accept Fauser's bid on Ridenour's recommendation. Also submitting bids were AgVantage FS ($1.45 per gallon), Waukon Feed Ranch ($1.45 per gallon) and Welch, Inc. ($1.58 per gallon).
In other business, the Board promoted John Roe to Head Custodian at an annual salary of $29,500 and agreed to pay the cost of obtaining the proper boiler operator certification. The Board also approved the year-end report from Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention.