Supervisors appoint Nicole Smedsrud as new Allamakee County Treasurer, approve purchase of new patrol vehicle for Sheriff’s Department and hear updates at meeting held in Harpers Ferry
Smedsrud sworn in as new Allamakee County Treasurer ... Nicole Smedsrud (pictured at right in photo above) was sworn into office as the newly-appointed Allamakee County Treasurer by Iowa First Judicial District Judge Alan Heavens (left) Monday, August 19 in the Allamakee County Courthouse. Smedsrud was sworn into office after officially being appointed to the position earlier that Monday morning at the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors meeting. An employee of the Treasurer’s Office since 2007, serving as First Deputy Treasurer, Smedsrud was appointed to the Treasurer role following the resignation of Jennifer O’Neill, who resigned from that Treasurer position, effective August 11, for employment with Harris Local Government/Solutions, Inc. as a Senior Applicant Support for Treasurers. Submitted photo.
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 19 at the Dolores Tillinghast Memorial Library in Harpers Ferry as part of an annual schedule of alternate meeting locations including public libraries within the county. The Supervisors addressed a full agenda of matters including the appointment of Allamakee County Treasurer to fill a vacancy, discussion and consideration of purchasing patrol vehicles for the County Sheriff’s office and discussion and consideration of obligating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present.
During Public Comment, Carl Holten questioned the Supervisors about snow removal and maintenance of the private lane leading to the Harpers Highlands subdivision. Holten noted that this subdivision has 40 lots with over 20 houses at present. Relating to fire and emergency services, Holten advised that access may be delayed if a private contractor is not able to plow snow in a timely manner with Holten questioning what would need to happen for the County to assume maintenance of this road.
Byrnes noted that as a private lane, this road is not maintained by the County with Byrnes further discussing some potential options to allow this to change. Tom Clark, a Harpers Ferry resident and candidate for the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors in the upcoming November general election, provided additional feedback relating to the establishment of this subdivision.
Jane Hasek provided an update relating to the Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society’s plan to construct a museum to highlight the area’s history. Hasek noted that fundraising is ongoing with preparations being made relating to construction and the museum’s shell anticipated to be in place next year in addition to the building’s footings and flooring.
The meeting moved into the consideration of the appointment of the County Treasurer to fill a vacancy. County Auditor Denise Beyer noted that no other interest in the appointment has been received with First Deputy Treasurer Nicki Smedsrud, a 17-year employee with the Treasurer’s office, being recommended for this appointment. At the July 29 Supervisors meeting, County Treasurer Jennifer O’Neill provided her letter of resignation noting that the she has accepted a position with Harris Local Government/“Solutions” Inc. as Senior Application Support for Treasurers.
At the August 19 Supervisors meeting, Smedsrud advised that she would accept the appointment with Beyer providing additional background information on this matter. Beyer advised that the public has 14 days to submit a petition with 580 signatures following this appointment to require a special election, with a black-out period of four Tuesdays before and after the general election being a factor. Beyer further advised that this appointment is only until the November 5 general election with Smedsrud then being on the ballot with language noting that the County Treasurer vacancy will be filled for the remaining two years of the term. The Supervisors approved the appointment of Smedsrud as Allamakee County Treasurer with Smedsrud signing the appointment form in front of two witnesses.
The Supervisors next addressed the consideration of virtual private network (VPN) access for the County Treasurer. The Supervisors approved the VPN access for Smedsrud to allow remote work-related network access. Following that approval, Smedsrud left the meeting and traveled to the Allamakee County Courthouse where she was sworn in as County Treasurer by District Court Judge Alan T. Heavens.
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