Minutes - 9/16/2025

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025, THIRTY-EIGHTH MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS  

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 4:30 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.     

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 16, 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 9, 2025 meeting. Copy filed.
            
To approve the claims totaling $335,829.07. Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution approving petition for suspension of taxes for Amy Benjamin, 1300 S. Alice, parcel #894735356001.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #13,950
RESOLUTION APPROVING PETITION FOR SUSPENSION OF TAXES

WHEREAS, Amy Benjamin, as titleholder of a property located 1300 S Alice, Sioux City, Iowa, Woodbury County, Iowa, and legally described as follows:   
     
 Parcel #894735356001

BRIGHTON LOT 16 BLOCK 6
         
WHEREAS, Amy Benjamin of the aforementioned property has petitioned the Board of Supervisors for a suspension of taxes pursuant to the 2017 Iowa Code section 427.9, and  
                                                             
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors recognizes from documents provided that the petitioner is unable to provide to the public revenue; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors hereby grants the request for a suspension of taxes and hereby directs the Woodbury County Treasurer to so record the approval of this tax suspension for this property.

SO RESOLVED this 16th  day of September 2025.  
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

To approve the separation of Eric Fay, Deputy, County Sheriff Dept., effective 08-13-2025. Resignation; the reclassification of Lillian Moravek, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney Dept., effective 09-15-2025, $85,566.00/year, 57%=$31,340.40/yr. Job Vacancy Posted on 10/15/24.  Entry Level Salary: $85,566.00/yr. Internal Applicant; the appointment of Jae Fehrle, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney Dept., effective 09-17-2025, $85,566.00/year. Job Vacancy Posted on 10/15/24.  Entry Level Salary:  $85,566.00/yr.; the separation of Darren Bryant, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 09-23-2025.  Resignation; and the separation of Donald Armstrong, % Deputy Captain, County Sheriff Dept., effective 01-02-2026. 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 property tax refund request for Kathleen/Eric Perna, parcel #894717476041, 2835 Valley Drive, in the amount of $2,719.00.  Copy filed.

To set the dates and times for 3 public hearings on a proposed Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment (rezone) of 6.75 acres located on parcel #884604100004, Section 4, T88N R46W (Floyd Township) from Agricultural Preservation (AP) to the Agricultural Estates (AE) Zoning District for October 7, 2025 @ 4:40 p.m., October 14, 2025 @ 4:40 p.m., and October 21, 2025 @ 4:40 p.m.  Copy filed.

To set the dates and times for 3 public hearings for Zoning Ordinance Test Amendments to the Woodbury County Zoning Ordinance to set Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) size limits and exempt ADU provisions from Iowa Code 331.301(27)(a)(1) and other applicable sections so ADU rules match primary dwellings in a county without building codes, add utility-scale solar to public-notification rules and fix the telecommunication-tower reference, remove mandatory tower colocation to conform with Iowa law, correct the road-use/repair agreement reference for utility-solar, and make other related housekeeping edits for October 7, 2025 @ 4:42 p.m., October 14, 2025 @ 4:42 p.m., and October 21, 2025 @ 4:42 p.m.  Copy filed.

To set the dates and times for 3 public hearings for Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments to the Woodbury County Zoning Ordinance, specifically to revise the Land Use Summary Table of Allowed Uses (Section 3.03.4), to classify  Public service garage  as a conditional use within the Agricultural Preservation (AP) Zoning District and /or Agricultural Estates (AE) Zoning District for October 7, 2025 @ 4:45 p.m., October 14, 2025 @ 4:45 p.m., and October 21, 2025 @ 4:45 p.m.  Copy filed.

Carried 5-0.

Motion by Bittinger second by Ung to approve discontinuing benefit coverage for retirees and family 65 and older.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Ung second by Nelson to approve a 5-year contract with AXON.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Dietrich to receive AXON contract. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the Subrecipient Agreement with the Crittenton Center.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Dietrich to approve the Grant Administration Agreement with SIMPCO.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the Environmental Review Requirements.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the signature authorization for alternate signators.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to reallocate $32,970.27 from the Sheriff Record Management System  to the Bearcat.  Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to reallocate the net total of completed and cancelled projects of $34,382.86 to be available for a new CIP.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Ung to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution 2026 County Five Year Program.  Carried 4-0, Nelson abstained.

2026 COUNTY FIVE YEAR PROGRAM
RESOLUTION #13,951

Unforeseen circumstances have arisen since adoption of the approved Secondary Road Five Year Program and previous revisions, requiring changes to the sequence, funding, and timing of the proposed work plan.
The Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County, Iowa, in accordance with Iowa Code section 309.22, initiates and recommends modification of the following project(s) in the accomplishment year (State Fiscal Year 2026), for approval by the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), per Iowa Code 309.23 and Iowa DOT Instructional Memorandum 2.050.

The following projects shall be ADDED to the Program's Accomplishment year:

Project Number Name
Project ID
Project Location Description of Work
AADT
Length Bridge ID
Type of Work Fund
Total
L-B(K23)--73 -97
Bridge K23 Replacement 18347
On 180TH ST, Over ROCK CREEK, from Lucas Ave. E
1.6 miles in Section 8 T88N R43W
25
miles 353260
320 Bridges Local
$1,168,000
Fund
Accomplishment Year

Previous Amount
New Amount
Net Change
Local
$4,250,000
$5,418,000
$1,168,000
Farm-to-Market
$6,694,000
$6,694,000
$0
Special
$0
$0
$0
SWAP
$360,000
$360,000
$0
Federal Aid
$9,870,000
$9,870,000
$0
Totals
$21,174,000
$22,342,000
$1,168,000
    

WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to receive bids. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second to Dietrich award the propane bid to New Century FS $1.199 per gallon.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Dietrich to approve the plans for project #L-B(K23) 73-97.  Carried 4-0, Nelson abstained.  Copy filed.

Open letter regarding a path forward for LEC mediation.  Copy filed.

Reports on committee meetings.

Auditor Skaff presented information regarding the October 7, 2025 City Primary Election.

Dick Williams, north side of town, addressed the board regarding county land upkeep concerns. 

Motion by Nelson, second by Bittinger to receive photos from Mr. Williams.  Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Board concerns were heard.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until September 23, 2025. 

Meeting sign in sheet. Copy filed.