Minutes - 10/21/2025

OCTOBER 21, 2025, FORTY-THIRD MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS  

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. Board members present were Carper, Ung (by phone), Dietrich, Nelson, and Bittinger II. Staff members present were Karen James, Board Administrative Assistant, Ryan Ericson, Budget and Finance Director, Joshua Widman,  Assistant County Attorney and Michelle Skaff, Auditor/Clerk to the Board.     

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

Ung(by phone) entered the meeting at 3:00pm.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to go out of joint closed session with LEC Authority (Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c)).  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 October 21, 2025. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

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

To approve minutes of the October 14, 2025 meeting. Copy filed.
        
To approve the claims totaling $1,256,587.39. Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution approving abatement of taxes for St. Thomas Orthodox Church of Sioux City, parcels #894728207004 & # 894728133007.  

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #13,963
RESOLUTION APPROVING ABATEMENT OF TAXES

WHEREAS, St. Thomas Orthodox Church of Sioux City is the titleholder of real estate    
Parcel #894728207004 and Parcel #894728133007 located in the City of Sioux City,  
Woodbury County, Iowa and legally described as follows:  

Parcels #894728207004 & #894728133007 

Lots Four (4), Five (5) and Six (6) in Block One Hundred and Seven (107), of Sioux City East Addition, in the County of Woodbury and State of Iowa

And

The South One-half of Lot Five (5) East of the West 100 Feet thereof, and all of Lot Six (6), lying East of the West 100 Feet thereof, and all of Lot Seven (7) and all of the South One-half of Lot Eight (8) and all of the vacated alley between said Lots Six (6) and Seven (7) and the South One-half of Lots Five (5) and Eight (8) in Block Sixty-seven (67), Sioux City East Addition
   
WHEREAS, the abovestated property has taxes owing for the 2024 tax year and the parcel is owned by St. Thomas Orthodox Church of Sioux City, and

WHEREAS, the organization, namely St. Thomas Orthodox 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 21st  day of October, 2025.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

To approve the separation of Leticia Hernandez, Clerk II - Tax, County Treasurer Dept., effective 10-10-2025.  Resigned.; the separation of Todd Caster, Custodian, Building Services Dept., effective 10-14-2025. Separation.; the other of Jace Kempers, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 10-21-2025, $26.04/hour, 0%.  Transfer from FT Temp to Regular FT.; the other of Ulysses Azpeitia, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 10-21-2025, $26.04/hour, 0%.  Transfer from FT Temp to Regular FT.; the appointment of Laysa Vazquez, Youth Worker   PT Temp, Juvenile Detention Dept., effective 10-22-25, $22.71/hour.  Job Vacancy Posted on 8/20/2025.  Entry Level Salary:  $22.71/hour.; and the reclassification of Terry Johnson, Motor Grader Operator, Secondary Roads Dept., effective 10-27-2025, $29.03/hour, 3%=$0.87/hr.  Per CWA Roads   End of Probationary Period.  Move to Step 1.  Anniversary Date: 10/30/25.  Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Authorization to initiate the hiring process for Custodian, Building Services Dept.  AFSCME Courthouse: $17.81/hour; Motor Grader Operator   FT Temp, Secondary Roads Dept.  $28.16/hour; and Clerk II   Tax, County Treasurer Dept.  AFSCME Courthouse:  $19.82/hour. Copy filed.

To approve the permit to work in the right of way for Curtis Peterson.  Copy filed.

To approve the permit to work in the right of way for Mitchell Parker.  Copy filed.

Carried 5-0. 

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to receive the 2025 report of the Weed Commissioner.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to approve $300,000 from unallocated CIP and $60,000 from general basic reserves (total $360,000) to fund the Courthouse freight elevator replacement.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Reports on committee meetings were heard.

There were no citizen concerns.
    
Board concerns were heard.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until October 28, 2025. 

Meeting sign in sheet. Copy filed.