Minutes - 1/13/2026

JANUARY 13, 2026, THIRD MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS  

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. Board members present were Carper, Dietrich, Nelson, Bittinger II, and Ung. Staff members present were Karen James, Board Administrative Assistant, Ryan Ericson, Budget and Finance Director, Melissa Thomas, HR Director, and Michelle Skaff, Auditor/Clerk to the Board.     

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to go into joint closed session with LEC Authority per Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c).  Carried 5-0 on roll-call vote.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger go out of joint closed session with LEC Authority per 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 Nelson second by Dietrich to approve the January 13, 2026 agenda.  Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

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

To approve minutes of the January 6, 2026 meeting. Copy filed.

To approve the claims totaling $865,332.92. Copy filed.

To approve the utility permit for Mid American Energy Company.  Copy filed.

To approve the 2026 Liaison assignments.  Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution setting the public hearing and sale date for parcel #894730413004, 312 S. Judd St.  

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #13,983
NOTICE OF PROPERTY SALE

WHEREAS Woodbury County, Iowa was the owner under a tax deed of a certain parcel of real estate described as:

Lot Twelve (12) Block Twenty-Six (26) Riverview 2nd Addition to Sioux City, in the County of Woodbury and State of Iowa
(312 S. Judd Street)

NOW THEREFORE, 
 
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County, Iowa as follows:

1.   That a public hearing on the aforesaid proposal shall be held on
       The 27th Day of January, 2026 at 4:35 o clock p.m. in the basement of the   
       Woodbury County Courthouse. 
      
2.   That said Board proposes to sell the said parcel of real estate at a
      public auction to be held on the 27th Day of January, 2026, immediately
      following the closing of the public hearing.
      
3. That said Board proposes to sell the said real estate to the highest
      bidder at or above a total minimum bid of $716.00 plus recording fees. 
      
4.  That this resolution, preceded by the caption "Notice of Property Sale"
     and except for this subparagraph 4 be published as notice of the
     aforesaid proposal, hearing and sale. 

Dated this 13th Day of January, 2026.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

To receive the Treasurer Semi Annual Report for period ending 12/31/2025.  Copy filed.

To approve the transfer of Daniel Bittinger, Board of Supervisors, Board of Supervisors Dept., effective 01-02-2026, $41,967.12.  From Board Chairman to Board Member.; the transfer of Mark Nelson, Board Chairman, Board of Supervisors Dept., effective 01-02-2026, $45,467.12.  From Board Member to Board Chairman.; the transfer of David Dietrich, Board Vice Chair, Board of Supervisors Dept., effective 01-02-2026, $41,967.12.  From Boad Member to Board Vice Chair.; and the promotion of Kimberlee Koepke, % Deputy, County Treasurer Dept., effective 01-19-2026, $73,989.67/year, 20%=$12,463.27/year.  Promoted to % Deputy. Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Authorization to initiate the hiring process for Clerk III, County Sheriff Dept.  AFSCME Courthouse: $24.01/hour.; and Clerk III, County Treasurer Dept.  AFSCME Courthouse: $24.01/hour.  Copy filed.

Carried 5-0. 

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to receive statistics document from Sister Fineran. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Dietrich second by Nelson to receive for signatures a Resolution of proclamation for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.  Carried 5-0.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #13,984
PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH

WHEREAS, the United States was founded upon the principle that all people are created with the inalienable right to freedom, and  added the 13th amendment to the Constitution making slavery illegal;

WHEREAS,  slavery within the United States today is most often found in the form of forced labor and sex trafficking, which weakens our social fabric,  increases violence and organized crime, and debases our humanity;

WHEREAS, this problem is found even within our community;

WHEREAS, every business, community organization, faith community, family and individual can make a difference by choosing products that are not made by forced labor; by working to protect our young people from sexual exploitation; by addressing the problems of internet sex trafficking and pornography; and by becoming more aware of the problem and possible solutions; 

NOW, THEREFORE,  Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, do hereby proclaim the month of January, 2026  as  
 National Human Trafficking Prevention Month 
and encourage our citizens to become more familiar with the problem and to work toward solutions.

WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to receive the final report and recommendation from the Zoning Commission following their 12/22/25, meeting to approve a Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment (Rezone) from the Agricultural Preservation (AP) Zoning District to the Agricultural Estates (AE) Zoning District on a portion of parcel #874732400009 for Robert B. Ankerstjeme.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

A public hearing was held at 4:40 p.m. for the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment (rezone) from AP to AE on parcel #874732400009.  The Chairperson called on anyone wishing to be heard.

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

Motion by Dietrich second by Nelson approve the first reading of the proposed Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment (rezone) from AP to AE on parcel #874732400009.  Carried 5-0.

Motion by Dietrich second by Nelson to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution authorizing the snowmobile trail on Woodbury County road K-64 and 140th St.  Carried 5-0.

RESOLUTION #13,985
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SNOWMOBILE TRAIL ON
WOODBURY COUNTY ROAD K-64 AND 140TH STREET

WHEREAS, Chapter 321G.9(4)-(7) of the Code of Iowa governs the operation of snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles on or near public highways and

WHEREAS, Woodbury County has received a request to allow the designation of a portion of its roadways to be used as a snowmobile trail and

WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County has evaluated the traffic patterns on these roadways and has determined that a designated snowmobile trail on portions of said roads will not unduly interfere with traffic or constitute a traffic hazard,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County as follows:

1. The following roadways may be used for snowmobile operation from January 14, 2026, to December 31, 2026, and are herewith designated as a snowmobile trail: 
        K-64 and 140th Street from IA 140 west 0.75 miles to the south field entrance
2. All designations and signs to be erected along said trail for use of club members shall be provided by the POWDER PLAYERS INC. SNOWMOBILE CLUB.
3. Any signs necessary to warn traffic of the operation of snowmobiles along said roadway shall be placed and maintained by POWDER PLAYERS INC. SNOWMOBILE CLUB.
4. All members of the POWDER PLAYERS INC. SNOWMOBILE CLUB and any guest or associates using said designated trail shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 321G.9, Code of Iowa. Any violations of said code section shall be considered grounds for terminating the designation of said snowmobile trail. 
5. The POWDER PLAYERS INC. SNOWMOBILE CLUB shall submit proof of insurance coverage, covering all persons participating in any club activities on or along the designated Woodbury County roadways, to the Woodbury County Auditor within 15 days of the passage of this Resolution. Failure to do so shall constitute grounds for the Board of Supervisors revoking this Resolution. Further, the POWDER PLAYERS INC. SNOWMOBILE CLUB shall hold and save Woodbury County harmless from all liability resulting from injuries, loss or damages of any kind to club members, guests or other persons riding said snowmobile trail, including damages to equipment.
6. Woodbury County does not warrant the condition of the county road right-of-way which will be designated as a snowmobile trail to be fit for any particular purpose nor, does it warrant against any hazards that may exist because of snow plowing or other necessary road work on the public road alongside said trail.
DATED this 13th day of January 2026.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution authorizing the County Engineer to close any Secondary Road for the purpose of construction, routine maintenance, or emergencies during 2026.  Carried 5-0.

RESOLUTION #13,986
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO CLOSE ANY
SECONDARY ROAD FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTION, ROUTINE
MAINTENANCE, OR EMERGENCIES DURING 2026

WHEREAS, the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors is concerned about traffic safety involved during construction and maintenance work or during natural or traffic emergencies on the secondary road system, and 

WHEREAS, they are further interested in making appropriate traffic accommodations for the traveling public, adjacent landowners and related users during construction and maintenance operations, and

WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors under section 306.41 of the Code of Iowa can delegate the authority to temporarily closure of roads to the County Engineer, 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, Laura Sievers, Woodbury County Engineer, the authority to temporarily close sections of highway in Woodbury County s Road system, when necessary, because of construction, maintenance, emergencies, or natural disaster. 

DATED this 13th day of January 2026.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution authorizing the County Engineer to execute certification of completion of work on federal aid, state aid, and farm to market construction during 2026.  Carried 5-0.

RESOLUTION #13,987
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO EXECUTE
CERTIFICATION OF COMPLETION OF WORK ON FEDERAL AID, STATE AID,
AND FARM TO MARKET CONSTRUCITON DURING 2026

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County, Iowa, that Laura Sievers, the County Engineer of Woodbury County, Iowa, be and is hereby designated, authorized, and empowered on behalf of the Board of Supervisors of said County to execute the certification of completion of work and final acceptance thereof in accordance with plans and specifications in connection with all Farm-to-Market and federal or state aid construction projects in this county.

DATED this 13th day of January 2026.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Dietrich second by Carper to award the bid for FY 2027 tandem truck chassis to Truck Center for $166.285 per 2026 Western Star 47X.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to receive amended engagement letter from Budget Director Ericson. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the engagement letter with Ahlers & Cooney for 2026 amendments to the Grow Woodbury County Urban Renewal Area.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to receive the Board of Supervisors CF Rebates & Miscellaneous Refunds budget as submitted.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to receive the Board of Supervisors District Court Operations budget as submitted.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to receive the Board of Supervisors Court Appointed Juvenile Attorney budget as submitted.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to receive the Board of Supervisors Risk Management Services budget as submitted.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to receive the Board of Supervisors Solid Waste Landfill budget as submitted.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to receive the Board of Supervisors Tax Increment Funds budget as submitted.  Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Reports on committee meetings were heard.

Jesse Pedersen, Lawton Mayor, expressed concerns about the Woodbury County Library budget.
    
Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to receive the Library Budget from Mayor Pedersen. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Director Schmitz expressed concerns regarding budgeting for the judicial system s budget for repairs. 
    
Board concerns were heard.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until January 20, 2026.

Meeting sign in sheet. Copy filed.