Minutes - 10/7/2025

OCTOBER 7, 2025, FORTY-FIRST MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS  

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Board members present were Carper, Ung, Dietrich, Nelson, and Bittinger II. Staff members present were Karen James, Secretary to the Board, Melissa Thomas, Human Resources Director, Ryan Ericson, Budget and Finance Director, Joshua Widman, Assistant County Attorney and Shona Campbell, Deputy 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 October 7, 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 30, 2025 meeting. Copy filed.
            
To approve the claims totaling $1,609,064.54. Copy filed.

To approve the underground utility permit for Long Lines. Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Authorization to initiate the hiring process for Courthouse Security Officer PT (on -call), Sheriff s Office. AFSCME Courthouse: $19.82-$21.77/hour. Copy filed.

Presentation of Award Certificate to Kyle Gates. Copy filed.

To approve an on-call Courthouse Security Office position. Copy filed.

To approve the Woodbury County Seatbelt/Restraint policy. Copy filed.

To receive for signatures a Resolution Thanking and Commending Don Armstrong for his years of service with Woodbury County.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #13,955
A RESOLUTION THANKING AND COMMENDING
DON ARMSTRONG
FOR HIS SERVICE TO WOODBURY COUNTY

WHEREAS, Don Armstrong has capably served Woodbury County as an employee of the Woodbury County Sheriff s Office for 40 years from April 1, 1986, to January 2, 2026.

WHEREAS, the service given by Don Armstrong as a Woodbury County employee, has been characterized by his dedication to the best interests of the citizens of Woodbury County; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA that the undersigned members of this Board thanks and commends Don Armstrong for his years of service to Woodbury County; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is the wish of all those signing below that the future hold only the best for this very deserving person, Don Armstrong

BE IT SO RESOLVED this 7th day of October, 2025.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

To receive for signatures a Resolution Thanking and Commending Tony Wingert for his years of service with Woodbury County.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #13,956
A RESOLUTION THANKING AND COMMENDING
TONY WINGERT
FOR HIS SERVICE TO WOODBURY COUNTY

WHEREAS, Tony Wingert has capably served Woodbury County as an employee of the Woodbury County Sheriff s Office for 33 years from March 10, 1993 to January 18, 2026.

WHEREAS, the service given by Tony Wingert as a Woodbury County employee, has been characterized by his dedication to the best interests of the citizens of Woodbury County; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA that the undersigned members of this Board thanks and commends Tony Wingert for his years of service to Woodbury County; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is the wish of all those signing below that the future hold only the best for this very deserving person, Tony Wingert

BE IT SO RESOLVED this 7th day of October, 2025.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Carried 5-0. 

Motion by Ung second by Nelson to approve and receive for signatures a Resolution for Proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Carried 5-0.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #13,957
PROCLAMATION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

WHEREAS, domestic violence is a serious crime that impacts individuals and families across every Siouxland community touching all races, ages, income levels, and lifestyles and is likely affecting someone you know; every nine seconds, another person experiences this crime; and

WHEREAS, one in three women and one in nine men will experience violence in their lifetime, and domestic violence violates basic human rights by stripping away dignity, security, and self-worth through physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse; and

WHEREAS, SafePlace works every day to end these acts of violence and help survivors rebuild their lives; and

WHEREAS, in Siouxland, SafePlace provides services 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and last year alone responded to over 1,500 victims fleeing abuse ensuring that despite high demand, no one in immediate danger was turned away; and

WHEREAS domestic violence affects the entire community, and only a coordinated community response can end these crimes and sustain the funding needed for these life-saving services; and

NOW, THEREFORE, Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, do hereby proclaim the month of October, 2025 as
 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH 
  in Woodbury County, Iowa and urge all citizens to actively participate in the scheduled 
  events and programs and to think about the fact that it is someone you know.

BE IT SO RESOLVED this 7th day of October, 2025.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to receive the final report and recommendation from the Zoning Commission following their 9/22/25 meeting to approve a Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment (Rezone) from the Agricultural Preservation (AP) Zoning District to the Agricultural Estates (AE) Zoning District on Parcel #884604100004 for the LeFebvre Family Trust. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

A public hearing was held at 4:40 p.m. to conduct the first public hearing on the proposed Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment (Rezone) from AP to AE on parcel #884604100004. 

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to close the public hearing. Carried 5-0. 

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the First Reading of the said Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment (Rezone) from AP to AE on Parcel #884604100004. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to receive the final report and recommendation from the Zoning Commission following their 9/22/25 meeting to approve a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments aimed to establish maximum dimensions for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and allow them to align with primary dwellings without adhering to Iowa Code 331.301(27)(a)(1) in counties lacking building codes. Additionally, the amendments will include utility-scale solar energy systems in the public notification subsection, correct references for telecommunication towers, and remove colocation requirements to align with state regulations. The road use and repair agreement reference in the solar energy section will also be updated. Other necessary changes will include reclassifying page numbers, sections, and content locations within the zoning ordinance. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

A public hearing was held at 4:42 p.m. to conduct the first public hearing on the proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to close the public hearing. Carried 5-0. 

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the first reading of the said Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Dietrich to receive final report-Zoning Commission recommendation for Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments 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 the Agricultural Estates (AE) Zoning District. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

A public hearing was held at 4:45 p.m. to conduct 1st Public Hearing of the said Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments. 

Motion by Bittinger second by Dietrich to close the public hearing. Carried 5-0. 

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the 1st Reading of the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Carper to receive for signatures a Resolution for Interfund Operating Transfers from the General Supplement Fund to Self-Health County Insurance Fund in the amount of $125,000. Carried 5-0.

RESOLUTION FOR INTERFUND OPERATING TRANSFERS
RESOLUTION #13,958

Whereas, it is desired to authorize the Auditor to transfer a sum from the General Supplemental
to the Self Health County Insurance Fund retroactively effective as of June 30, 2025

Whereas, the purpose of the transfer is to eliminate the actuarial deficit in order 
to remain in compliance with Iowa law.

Now, therefore be it resolved by the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County, Iowa, as follows:

The total transfer from the General Supplemental Fund to the Self Health County Insurance
Fund to be retroactively effective as of June 30, 2025, shall be $125,000.

The above and foregoing resolution was adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County
Iowa, on October 7th, 2025.

WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve and receive for signature a Resolution to Designate Voting Representatives for the Iowa State Association of Counties. Carried 5-0.

RESOLUTION #13,959
TO DESIGNATE VOTING REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE IOWA STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES

WHEREAS, Woodbury County ( County ) is a member of the Iowa State Association of Counties; and  

WHEREAS, the ISAC Articles of Incorporation were updated in November 2024 to require the County to designate, through resolution by its Board of Supervisors, its County Voting Representatives; and 

WHEREAS, only the designated County Voting Representatives have the power to vote on behalf of the County at ISAC; and 

WHEREAS, the County Voting Representatives must be either elected county officials or the principal officer for each county department represented by an Affiliated Association of ISAC. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, effective immediately, hereby designates the following persons as County Voting Representatives for ISAC: 

Iowa State Association of County Supervisors: Daniel Bittinger II, Mark Nelson, Matthew Ung, David Dietrich, Kent Carper
Iowa State Sheriffs  and Deputies  Association: Chad Sheehan
Iowa County Attorneys Association, Inc.: James Loomis
Iowa State Association of County Auditors: Michelle Skaff
Iowa State County Treasurers Association: Tina Bertrand
Iowa County Recorders Association, Inc.: Michelle Skaff
Iowa County Engineers Association: Laura Sievers
Iowa State Association of Assessors: Tyler Mogensen
Iowa Community Services Association: Cyntia Wiemold
Iowa Emergency Management Association: Michael Montino
County Conservation Directors Association of Iowa: Dan Heissel
Iowa Environmental Health Association, Inc.: Michelle Clausen-Rosendahl
Iowa Counties Public Health Association: Kevin Grieme
County Zoning Officials of Iowa: Daniel Priestley
Iowa Counties Information Technology Organization: 
Iowa Association of County Commissioners and Veterans Service Officers, Inc.: Loni Kuhlmann

The County shall forward a copy of this Resolution with the names of the designated County Voting Representatives to support@iowacounties.org. 

SO RESOLVED, this 30th day pf September 2025.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Reports on committee meetings were heard.

Jim Heck addressed the board concerning taxes for veterans and the July 1 deadline.  Deputy Auditor, Shona Campbell provided election stats on the primary election.
    
Board concerns were heard.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until October 14, 2025. 

Meeting sign in sheet. Copy filed.