Supervisors approve hiring of new Deputy Sheriff, in addition to bids for 2025 leasing of County Farm cropland and pasture
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 16 to address a full agenda of matters including the appointment of a full-time Sheriff’s Deputy, consideration of the County Highway Safety Pledge, and the opening and consideration of County Farm pasture and cropland bids. 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 agenda item. The meeting moved into the discussion and consideration of quotes for the door access control system upgrade at the County Courthouse. Allamakee County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Coordinator Jon Luchsinger provided an overview of the two bids received from Five Star Telecom and Custom Alarm relating to the door access control system and removing public elevator access to the fourth floor of the courthouse. Luchsinger noted that the bids received were similar with some variables relating to remote opening for storm shelter purposes and service contract requirements, among other items.
Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker advised that the existing key fob system cannot be expanded with Luchsinger explaining that finding a contractor to repair the existing system will be difficult with this system becoming obsolete. Byrnes recommended waiting until the next Supervisors meeting for further discussion or official action relating to this matter and specifically to receive answers regarding limiting fourth floor elevator public access and options relating to off-site remote access for storm shelter purposes. No action was taken on this matter at this time.
The Supervisors moved into the discussion and consideration to obligate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Byrnes recommended scheduling a final ARPA obligations-related work session after the next Supervisors meeting. No action was taken at this time.
The meeting moved into the discussion and consideration of renewing the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance Program with Compliancy Group. Byrnes noted a requirement by the County’s insurance provider for County employees to participate in this training every two years. County Auditor Denise Beyer noted that this information security matter relates to personal identifying information (PII) and protected health information (PHI), with the Supervisors, Snitker and Beyer discussing the need for this training and options that are available for the training.
It was noted that Compliancy Group’s fee for this training is $2,800 a year with the Supervisors discussing the deadline for this agreement. Byrnes recommended that prior to the next renewal, a similar training option through the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) will be reviewed in addition to the program through the Compliancy Group. The Supervisors gave their approval the HIPAA Compliance Program through Compliancy Group.
County Sheriff Clark Mellick addressed the next matter relating to the discussion and consideration of the hiring and appointment of a full-time Sheriff’s Deputy. Mellick provided a recommendation to hire Edward Schoenthal as a Sheriff’s Deputy to fill the vacancy left by the September 29 resignation of former Sheriff’s Deputy Ross Kolsrud upon his acceptance of the Police Chief position in Lansing. Mellick discussed Schoenthal’s experience in the military and law enforcement. The Supervisors approved the hiring of Schoenthal at 75-percent of the Sheriff’s salary with a start date of January 12 in the new year.
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