Supervisors discuss return of unused tax funding by Allamakee County ISU Extension, approve change to 28E Agreement with County Social Services

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 14 to address a full agenda of matters including the opening and consideration of bids for concrete pavement patching, consideration of a change to the 28E Agreement for County Social Services, and discussion of returning unused tax dollars by Iowa State University Extension and the consideration of a proposal for use of these same funds for grant purposes.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present. There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that agenda item.

The meeting moved into discussion of returning unused tax dollars by Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and the consideration of a proposal for use of these same funds for grants. ISU Extension Regional Director Bruce Arendt advised that the Allamakee Extension District returned approximately $30,000 of funds per Iowa Code 176A Section 8 that were not used this year due to a combination of an unfilled position and a decision to stay in the current office space for now rather than renting or building a different location.

Arendt noted that the ISU Extension is fortunate for having a fiscally responsible council and staff and that Allamakee County could return that funding back to the organization per Iowa Code in the form of grants in support of projects and programming. Arendt noted specifics focusing on 4-H livestock programs, Precision Ag Day activities, among other programming needs. Byrnes and Arendt discussed the reporting requirements necessary as grant funds are used, with Byrnes advising that a decision in October would be preferable following budget work sessions. Allamakee County Treasurer Jennifer O’Neill advised that Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Jennifer Hennessy with Hacker Nelson & Co. would be consulted relating to the deposit of this funding. No action was taken.

The meeting moved into the discussion and consideration of setting a meeting date at the Allamakee County Veterans Museum, the former Vet’s Club location in Waukon. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved Tuesday, September 5 at 9:30 a.m., to follow the closure of the Allamakee County Courthouse in observance of the Monday, September 4 Labor Day holiday, as the meeting date and time as part of their schedule of alternate meeting locations to include public libraries within the county.

The Supervisors next addressed the opening and consideration of bids for concrete pavement patching. Reiser individually opened and read aloud the two bids received including $145,225 from Bacon Concrete of Postville and $153,750.01 from Skyline Construction. Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour advised that he will review the bids received and provide a recommendation at the Monday, August 21 Supervisors meeting.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mary McKinnell with County Social Services (CSS) addressed the next matter relating to discussion and consideration of a change to the 28E Agreement with CSS. McKinnell noted that there have been recent legislative changes relating to mental health disability service regions and further noting that by Resolution at the State level it is now required that only 49-percent of the CSS Board could be represented by County Supervisors.

McKinnell advised that the CSS Board for the local 12-county region has voted to continue within these requirements by having six voting members and the remaining six non-voting members serving as alternates who are allowed to vote in the absence of a voting member, with these appointments reversing each calendar year. McKinnell advised that CSS funding is no longer through tax levies at the county level but instead is now through Iowa Health and Human Services.

With these changes, McKinnell advised the 28E Agreement between CSS and Allamakee County will need to be updated. McKinnell clarified that the remaining seven voting board members (51-percent) will include a representative from areas including law enforcement, judicial, adult consumer, family member of youth consumer, adult provider, education and child provider. Keatley noted that Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke has reviewed the 28E Agreement with the Supervisors approving the matter.

Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick thanked the Supervisors for attending the Wednesday, August 9 E-911 Board Meeting. Mellick noted the discussion relating to the new Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) software used in managing emergency calls and dispatching officers. He further noted that work will continue with the police departments within the county relating to functionality and implementation of this new software through service provider Shieldware.

Mellick discussed the E-911 Board’s decision to move forward with Shieldware’s software, which he noted was considerably less expensive, matched dispatch and jail needs, provided longevity and is currently used in approximately two-thirds of the state of Iowa. Mellick noted that a current service provider and a prospective service provider will each be presenting information to the Supervisors at future meetings relating to radios and infrastructure utilized by law enforcement, among other emergency services.

Ridenour noted the weather conditions over the weekend including rain and wind with a couple of Secondary Roads Department employees removing trees from roadways as a result. Ridenour also discussed the letting process for the Black Hawk Bridge in Lansing with 2026 being the anticipated completion of the project. He noted that the tear-down of the former Alliant Energy Power Plant near Lansing is resulting in an increase in scrap hauling by truck and that the smokestack at that site is scheduled for implosion later in the week.

O’Neill updated the Supervisors about follow-up procedures relating to the closure of a Secondary Roads account no longer needed or used. She advised that tax statements are being mailed, and she also discussed the 65-plus and 70-plus elderly tax credits and calculations.

Prior to adjournment, First Deputy Auditor Janel Eglseder noted that the Monday, August 21 Supervisors Meeting is scheduled at the New Albin Public Library.