Minutes - 4/15/2025

APRIL 15, 2025, SIXTEENTH MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS  

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Board members present were Carper, Nelson, Bittinger II, and Ung; Dietrich was absent. Staff members present were Joshua Widman, Assistant County Attorney, Karen James, Board Administrative Assistant, Melissa Thomas, Human Resources Director, Ryan Ericson, Budget and Finance Director, and Michelle Skaff, Auditor/Clerk to the Board. 

The regular meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Moment of Silence.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to amend the agenda postpone approval of LEC Authorities use of funds until next week’s meeting. Carried 3-0.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the agenda for April 15, 2025. Carried 3-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the following items by consent:

To approve minutes of the April 8, 2025 meeting. Copy filed.
            
To approve the claims totaling $590,258.19. Copy filed.

To receive County Recorder’s report of fees collected for the period of 01/01/2025 through 03/31/2025. Copy filed.

To receive the County Auditor’s Quarterly report for the period of January 1, 2025 through March 31,2025.  Copy filed.

To approve the separation of Austin Svendsen, Jail Sergeant, County Sheriff Dept., effective 04-04-2025.  Separation; the promotion of Devan Amick, Jail Sergeant, County Sheriff Dept., effective 04-14-2025, $36.76/hour, 37%=$9.90/hr.  Per Captain Harlow- Promoted to Sergeant.; the other of Brandon Chapple, Jail Sergeant, County Sheriff Dept., effective 04-14-2025.  Changing Effective Date of Promotion from 4/16/25 to 4/14/25.; the appointment of Giovanni Padilla, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 04-16-2025, $24.57/hour.  Job Vacancy Posted on 9/12/2025.  Entry Level Salary: $24.57/hr.; the appointment of Brayden Bumsted, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 04-16-2025, $24.57/hour.  Job Vacancy Posted 9/12/25.  Entry Level Salary $24.57/hr.; and the appointment of Darren Bryant, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 04-16-2025, $24.57/hour.  Job Vacancy Posted on 9/18/2025.  Entry Level Salary: $24.57/hr. Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Authorization to initiate the hiring process for Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept.  CWA Civilian: $24.57/hour.; and for Jail Sergeant, County Sheriff Dept. CWA Civilian: $36.76/hour.  Copy filed.

To approve the property tax refund request for Michael Baird, parcel #874511200006, 2346 Hancock Ave., in the amount of $2015.00.  Copy filed.

To approve the property tax refund request for Alicia Rios, parcel #894730206006, 2104 Villa Ave., in the amount of $798.00.  Copy filed.

Carried 3-0.

The Board recessed for a meeting of the Orton Slough Drainage District Trustees Meeting.

The Supervisors meeting was called back to order.

Motion by Nelson second by Carper to approve a sergeant position in the Sheriff’s office. Carried 3-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Carper to approve the worker’s compensation High-Level Risk Management Action Plan Agreement.  Carried 3-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the collective bargaining agreement with CWA Deputy Civilian Jailers for 2025-2028.  Carried 3-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Carper to approve the wage reopener agreement with CWA Deputy Sheriffs for 2025-2026.  Carried 3-0.  Copy filed.

@4:48pm Ung joined the meeting by phone.

Secondary Roads District Foremen Micheal Andresen, Conservation Director Dan Heissel,  Sheriff Chad Sheehan, County Attorney James Loomis, and HR Director Melissa Thomas spoke in favor of a pay increase for the wage plan employees.  

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve a 3% pay increase for wage plan employees for FY26 budget.  Carried 4-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve purchasing 23 computer squad car tablets for the Woodbury County Sheriff’s office for FY26 in the amount of $85,234.38 out of Gaming Funds.  Carried 4-0. Copy filed.
 
The board conducted a miscellaneous review of the budget.

Motion by Nelson second by Ung to increase the FY26 Building Services expenses by $150,000 to pay for well capping at the old LEC. Carried 4-0.

Motion by Ung second by Nelson to increase revenue for the US Marshall inmates by $600,000 for FY26, Carried 4-0.
    
Reports on committee meetings were heard.

Conservation Director Dan Heissel, Sheriff Chad Sheehan, and Secondary Roads District Foremen Michael Andresen thanked the board for approving a wage increase for the wage plan group. 

Board Concerns were heard.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until April 22, 2025.

Meeting sign in sheet.  Copy filed.