Allamakee County Board of Supervisors approves March 5 as election date regarding Local Option Sales and Services Tax (LOSST), approves use of Opioid Settlement funds to enhance drug prevention programs

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 18 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of payment for Township Official Training from the County budget, the consideration of using Opioid Settlement funds for drug prevention programs in Allamakee County, and consideration of setting the Local Option Sales and Services Tax (LOSST) election date. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present.

There were no members of the public present for the Public Comment portion of the meeting. After the time allotted for that matter, the meeting moved into the Plat for Lloyd C. Johanningmeier Jr. with Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Stephanie Runkle providing an overview of that agenda item. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved the Plat for Lloyd C. Johanningmeier Jr.

Allamakee County Treasurer Jennifer O’Neill addressed the next agenda item relating to discussion and consideration of the County Investment Policy. O’Neill noted that the County’s Investment Policy is unchanged since 2021 with Board of Supervisors approval being necessary on a two-year basis. She discussed aspects of the investment policy including a certificate of deposit (CD), money market accounts, among other specifics. The Supervisors approved the County Investment Policy as presented.

Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer addressed the next matter relating to the discussion and consideration of payment for the Township Official Training from the County budget. Beyer advised that this training offered online would cost $35 per participant with a total of 72 township officials from throughout Allamakee County potentially participating at a total cost of $2,520. Beyer noted that a laptop computer may need to be set up at the Allamakee County Courthouse for those township officials without home computers choosing to participate in this training. The Supervisors approved the payment for this training not to exceed $2,520 with payment to be made from the County budget.

Allamakee County Environmental Health Director Laurie Moody discussed the next agenda item relating to Environmental Health’s use of the County credit card. Moody discussed an upcoming two-day seminar taking place in Cedar Rapids allowing for continuing education credits with Environmental Health Department Administrative Assistant Mandy O’Neill to also attend as an unregistered/non-credit earning observer at the seminar as a professional development opportunity. Moody noted that the two-night double occupancy hotel room with tax and mandatory charges would cost $543 for this seminar in January with the seminar fee budgeted through Environmental Health. Beyer, Moody and the Supervisors discussed the use of the County credit card with a reimbursement to Moody for the hotel expense being another option, if necessary. The Supervisors approved the use of the County credit card for the $543 hotel expense relating to the two-day seminar.

The meeting moved into the consideration of setting the Local Option Sales and Services Tax (LOSST) election date. Beyer provided a recommendation based on State of Iowa requirements to set this election date as March 5, 2024 with the Supervisors approving that recommendation.

Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke and Coordinator Jean Bossom with Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) addressed the next agenda item relating to discussion and consideration of using Opioid Settlement funds for the benefit of drug prevention programs in Allamakee County. Gericke noted a preference for Allamakee County to make its own decisions relating to the use and distribution of these settlement funds rather than joining a consolidated six-county agreement or plan associated with the statewide opioid settlement with pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors providing funds as part of this settlement relating to the negative impacts of opioid addiction.

Gericke noted drug abuse prevention efforts at the county and city level with Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) being a program with current budget limitations that would benefit from and be a good use for a portion of this funding. Gericke noted D.A.R.E. and prevention programming in Postville, Lansing and Waukon with a recommendation to support the enhancement of that prevention programming in each of these communities at an amount $1,500 per community, a total of $4,500.

Bossom noted that ASAP is currently not doing opioid specific prevention and education with this specific effort fitting into ASAP’s education and prevention programming covering a wide range of ages and school grades. She further noted a variety of D.A.R.E activities, needs and expenses that would benefit from this funding. Gericke advised that from a claims standpoint, this funding could run through the Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) office. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved using $4,500 of Opioid Settlement funds for the enhancement of existing prevention programming conducted by the Lansing/New Albin, Postville and Waukon Police Departments.

Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker advised that he will be meeting with the newly-elected mayors of New Albin and Lansing later in the day relating to their commission duties.

Moody and the Supervisors briefly discussed the new vehicle used in Moody’s role as Environmental Health Director/Sanitarian/Weed Commissioner and options available relating to rust proofing/undercoating and preferences relating to emblems and signage on that vehicle.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick provided an update on a UTV accident that occurred in the overnight hours of Thursday into Friday, December 14-15 in rural Harpers Ferry. The accident resulted in one fatality and injuries being sustained by a passenger in the vehicle. Further details can be found on the front page of this week’s edition of The Standard.

Gericke discussed the verdict of a recent trial and provided an update relating to Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) documents. He advised that he is preparing for several trials scheduled for 2024.

Beyer provided an update relating to valuations and noted that budget information has been distributed to departments. She recommended setting a pre-budget work session and discussed the scheduling of budget work sessions.

Following Department Head Updates, the Supervisors approved to go into Closed Session Pursuant to Authority of Iowa Code § 21.5(1)(g) and (k) regarding County building security and other security matters. During the Closed Session, Snitker provided a presentation relating to the Allamakee County Courthouse and Public Building Security Plan. Prior to adjournment, the meeting returned to regular session with the Supervisors approving the Resolution to adopt the Allamakee County Courthouse and Public Building Security Plan.