Supervisors hear salary increase recommendations for elected officials from Compensation Board, set public hearing for Solar Utility Ordinance
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, February 24 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of the Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund contribution request, the presentation of the Compensation Board recommendation for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Elected Official salaries, and the consideration of a 28E Cooperative Agreement relating to the Volney Bridge replacement project. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Tom Clark and Dennis Keatley present.
During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) provided an update about a variety of matters. Reinke made note of a recent tourism-related conference held in Mason City with that school district’s superintendent speaking on topics relating to the inclusion of the city’s bike trail system as part of the school’s physical education (P.E.) program and as a means of acquainting students with that trail system for continued use in their adult lives. Reinke noted that Mason City’s police chief spoke during the conference about topics including public safety from a tourism perspective with other speakers and topics addressed including mental health.
Reinke updated the Supervisors about the 2025 Allamakee Lead Certificate course through Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC). As explained by Reinke, the leadership course is being offered from 9 a.m. to Noon once a week from April 3 through May 1 with four $500 scholarships available to assist with 50-percent of tuition costs. Those interested in participating in the course are advised to contact Reinke at ACED. She noted that the leadership course is a cooperative effort through NICC Business and Community Solutions, the Waukon Chamber of Commerce, ACED, Main Street Lansing and Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) with the course to enhance and develop leadership and business skills.
Relating to upcoming events, Reinke made note of the Waterville Fire Department’s Annual Pancake Breakfast scheduled for this coming Sunday morning, March 2.
The meeting moved into the consideration of setting a date and time for the Public Hearing relating to the Solar Utility Ordinance. County Auditor Denise Beyer and Zoning Administrator Stephanie Runkle recommended setting this Public Hearing time and date as 9:10 a.m. Monday, March 10 with the first reading of the Solar Utility Ordinance to take place at the same meeting. That recommendation was approved with Runkle advising that a Public Hearing will take place at the Tuesday, March 4 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission to further address feedback received and allow for additional feedback from the public.
Runkle addressed the next matter relating to the Plat for Lloyd C. Johanningmeier Jr. Following an overview by Runkle, the Supervisors approved the Plat. The Supervisors also reviewed and approved the 2024 Weed Commissioner’s Report.
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