Minutes - 9/9/2025

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025, THIRTY-SEVENTH MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS  

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. Board members present were Carper, Ung, Dietrich, Nelson, and Bittinger II. Staff members present were Karen James, Joshua Widman, Assistant County Attorney, Melissa Thomas, Human Resources Director, Ryan Ericson, Budget and Finance Director, and Michelle Skaff, Auditor/Clerk to the Board.     

Meeting started at 3:00pm due to extended LEC Authority regular meeting

Motion by Bittinger second by Carper to go into joint closed session with LEC Authority {Iowa Codes Section 21.5 (1)(c)}. Carried 4-0 on roll-call vote.

Nelson entered the meeting at 3:03pm.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to go out of joint closed session with LEC Authority {Iowa Codes Section 21.5 (1)(c)}. Carried 5-0 on roll-call vote.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to go into closed session {Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(j)}. Carried 5-0 on roll-call vote.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to go out of closed session {Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(j)}. Carried 5-0 on roll-call vote.

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 approve the agenda for September 9, 2025. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

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

To approve minutes of the September 2, 2025 meeting. Copy filed.
            
To approve the claims totaling $1,135,380.67. Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution approving abatement of taxes for Debre Selam St. Mary Eritrean Orthodox Tewahido Church of Sioux City, parcel #894721355017.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #13,949
RESOLUTION APPROVING ABATEMENT OF TAXES

WHEREAS, Debre Selam St. Mary Eritrean Orthodox Tewahido Church of Sioux City is   
     the titleholder of real estate Parcel #894721355017 located in the City of Sioux City,  
     Woodbury County, Iowa and legally described as follows:  

 Parcel # 894721355017

HIGMANS 2nd LOTS 1 & 2 BLK 16
       
WHEREAS, the abovestated property has taxes owing for the 2024 tax year and the parcel is owned by Debre Selam         St. Mary Eritrean Orthodox Tewahido Church of Sioux City, and

WHEREAS, the organization, namely Debre Selam St. Mary Eritrean Orthodox Tewahido Church of Sioux City is failing  to immediately pay the taxes due; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors sees that good cause exists for the abatement of these taxes and; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors hereby abates the taxes owing  on the above parcel according to Code of Iowa, 427.3 for the taxes owed for the 2024 tax year and hereby directs   the Woodbury County Treasurer to abate these aforementioned taxes from the tax records.
 
SO RESOLVED this 9th day of September, 2025.

WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

To lift tax suspension for Delores Sturgeon, parcel #894730401004, 2362 W 1st St. Copy filed.

To approve the property tax refund request of Bonnie Stetson, parcel #894721303006, 2002 Grandview Blvd., in the amount of $802.40. Copy filed.

To approve the separation of Collin Baumann, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 09-01-2025. Separation; the reclassification of Vy Huynhle-Trobaugh, Senior Clerk, Human Resources Dept., effective 09-15-2025, $24.86/hour, 5%=$1.25/hr. Per AFSCME Courthouse-Move from Step 3 to Step 4. Anniversary Date: 09/16/25; the reclassification of Andrew DeMers, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney Dept., effective 09-15-2025, $93,783.00/year, 5%=$4,104.00/yr. Per AFSCME Attorney-Move from Step 2 to Step 3. Anniversary Date: 09/18/25; the reclassification of Jadin Collins, Equipment Operator, Secondary Roads Dept., effective 09-15-2025, $28.72/hour, 3%=$0.86/hr. Per CWA Roads. End of Probationary Period Increase. Anniversary Date: 09/19/25; the reclassification of Jennifer Wersal, Civilian Lieutenant, County Sheriff Dept., effective 09-15-2025, $3,685.37/bi-weekly, 3%=$107.34/bi-weekly. Pay Increase According to Wage Matrix. Anniversary Date: 9/24/25; the reclassification of Hayden Harmon, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 09-15-2025, $31.12/hour, 10%=$2.92/hr. Per CWA Contract Article XVI Section 3 (B): Move to Senior; and the separation of Michael Wingert, % Deputy Chief, County Sheriff Dept., effective 01-18-2026. Retired. Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Authorization to initiate the hiring process for Civilian Jailer, Sheriff s Office. CWA Civilian: $26.04/hour. Copy filed.

To approve the request of Michael (Tony) Wingert to remain on county health insurance. Copy filed.

Presentation of Award Certificate to Dawn Lafave. Copy filed.

To approve the renewal of Employee & Family Resources (EFR) as our employee assistance provider. Copy filed.

To approve providing flu shots for Woodbury County employees. Copy filed.

To approve the employee wellness screenings and quarterly health coaching. Copy filed.

Carried 5-0.

Motion by Bittinger second by Carper to approve the contract with the Iowa Economic Development Authority for a Community Development Block Grant. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the CMBA Architectural Services Contract, in the amount of $48,000.00, for the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center demo (407 7th St.). Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Reports on committee meetings.

There were no citizen concerns.

Board concerns were heard.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until September 16, 2025. 

Meeting sign in sheet. Copy filed.