Minutes - 4/7/2026

APRIL 7, 2026, FIFTEENTH MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS  

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. Board members present were Carper, Dietrich, Nelson, Ung (by phone), and Bittinger II. Staff members present were Karen James, Board Administrative Assistant, Ryan Ericson, Budget and Finance Director, Joshua Widman, Assistant County Attorney, Melissa Thomas, HR Director, and Shona Campbell, Deputy Auditor.     

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

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to go out of joint closed session with LEC Authority per Iowa Code Section 21.5(1) (c). Carried 4-0 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 April 7, 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 March 31, 2026 meeting. Copy filed.
    
To approve the claims totaling $350,301.59. Copy filed.

To set a public hearing for FY26 Proposed Budget on April 28th at 4:50 p.m..

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

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #14,020
A RESOLUTION THANKING AND COMMENDING
ROBERT NELSON
FOR HIS SERVICE TO WOODBURY COUNTY

WHEREAS, Robert Nelson has capably served Woodbury County as an employee of the Woodbury County Emergency Services for 32 years from May 16, 1994, to April 9, 2026.

WHEREAS, the service given by Robert Nelson 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 Robert Nelson 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, Robert Nelson

BE IT SO RESOLVED this 7th day of April, 2026.

WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

To approve letter of support for Community Action Agency of Siouxland. Copy filed.

To approve the other of David Brown, Operations Officer-EMT, County EMS Dept., effective 03-30-2026, $24.62/hour, 0%. In-House Job Vacancy Posted on 3/12/2026. Move From PT to FT.; the reclassification of Matthew Metgar, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney Dept., effective 04-13-2026, $132,379.00/year, 7%=$8,390.00/yr. Per AFSCME Attorney-Move from Step 9 to Step 10. Anniversary Date 4/18/26.; the reclassification of Tyler Javorsky, Court Security Officer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 04-13-2026, $28.20/hour, 5%=$1.22/hr. Per CWA Civilian-Move from 2nd to 1st Class. Anniversary Date: 4/19/26.; the reclassification of Preston Lynde, Deputy, County Sheriff Dept., effective 04-13-2026, $37.86/hour, 6%=$2.31/hr. Per CWA Deputy-Move from 1st Class to Senior. Anniversary Date: 4/19/26.; and the separation of Brent Eickholt, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 07-31-2026. Retired. 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. Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution for the Weed Destruction Order.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #14,021
WEED DESTRUCTION ORDER

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of each of Iowa County s Board of Supervisors to enforce the provisions of Chapter 317 of the Code of Iowa as amended with regard to the destruction of weeds, and

WHEREAS, under Chapter 317 of the Code of Iowa as amended each county Board of Supervisors must prescribe and order a program of weed destruction to be followed by landowners, tenants, and other persons in possession or control of land, and

WHEREAS, it has been determined by the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors that a program of weed destruction for the year 2026 is necessary,

NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County, Iowa that each landowner, tenant or other person in possession or control of private land shall on or before the dates stated below, destroy the below-listed noxious weeds on their land by spraying them with a suitable herbicide in a strength sufficient to kill such weeds.

1. May 1, 2026   for Palmer amaranth annual.

2. May 4, 2026 - for musk, thistle, sow thistle, bull thistle, leafy spurge, perennial pepper grass, sour dock perennial, smooth dock perennial, and sheep sorrel perennial.

3. June 1, 2026 - for Canada thistle, Russian knapweed, buckhorn perennial, wild mustard annual, horse nettle, and teasel biennial.

4. June 8, 2026 - for field bindweed, wild carrot biennial, and quack grass.

5. June 15, 2026 - for butterprint annual, puncture vine annual, and cocklebur annual.

6. July 1, 2026 - for wild sunflower annual and poison hemlock.

7. October 1, 2026 - all thistles in the rosette stage.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED AND ORDERED that any person using county road Right-of-Way for haying or grazing are responsible for following the labeled restrictions listed on the following products used by Woodbury County Weed Commissioner: Grazon P&D, Streamline, Perspective, Method 240SL, Milestone, and MSN 60. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED AND ORDERED that all weeds on county trunk and local roads and between the fence lines of such roads, whether they be noxious weeds or other weeds, shall be eradicated or otherwise destroyed, to prevent seed production, by the owner of the land adjoining the road on or before June 5, 2026.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that weeds that are not destroyed in compliance with the above order may be destroyed by the Weed Commissioner, and the costs of destruction by the Weed Commissioner, including the cost of serving notice, plus a penalty of twenty-five percent of total costs shall be assessed against the property upon which the weeds were destroyed, in the case of private lands, or against the adjoining land, in the case of weeds on county roads.  Landowners are to contact Weed Commissioner and notify him if there are areas that should not be sprayed with herbicides. 

SO RESOLVED this  7th___ day of April, 2026

WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

To receive the County Auditor s Quarterly Report for the period of 01/01/26 through 03/31/26. Copy filed.

To receive the appointment of Dr Christian Supiot to the Sioux City Community School District Board of Directors to fill the vacancy left when Jan J Georgew resigned. Copy filed. 

To approve an application for a 12-month, Class C Retail Alcohol License (LC) (Commercial), with Outdoor Service Sales privileges for Anthon Golf Course, Anthon, effective 04/02/26 through 04/01/27. Copy filed.

Carried 5-0.

Terry Knight, CMBA Architecture addressed the board about the CMBA Bid.  Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to change original bid opening date for Courthouse Freight Elevator Replacement Project from April 7th to April 21st at 3:00 p.m., Board of Supervisors Office. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Carper to receive for signatures a Resolution to Waive County Fees Associated with Repair and Redevelopment of Fire-Damaged Property following the March 28, 2026 fire. Carried 5-0.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #14,022

RESOLUTION TO WAIVE COUNTY FEES ASSOCIATED WITH
REPAIR AND REDEVELOPMENT OF FIRE-DAMAGED PROPERTY
WHEREAS, Woodbury County suffered a major grass and field fire on March 28, 2026, that rapidly spread across approximately 3,500 acres in rural areas near Bronson, Lawton, and Moville, causing significant damage to private property, destruction of homes, damage or destruction of outbuildings, loss of livestock and family pets, and significant disruption to residents and infrastructure within the affected area; and
WHEREAS, the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors recognizes the significant hardship imposed on property owners and residents directly impacted by this fire event; and
WHEREAS, building permits are required for repair, reconstruction, and redevelopment of fire-damaged structures and properties in the unincorporated areas of Woodbury County; and
WHEREAS, the requirement for a permit cannot be waived, but the Board of Supervisors may opt to waive the fees normally associated with permits issued by the Woodbury County Community and Economic Development (Planning and Zoning) department in the unincorporated areas; and
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County, Iowa, as follows:
1. The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors fully supports the repair and redevelopment of property damaged by the March 28, 2026 grass and field fire.

2. The Woodbury County Planning and Zoning department is hereby authorized to waive building permit fees for any unincorporated area county resident or property owner that was directly impacted by the March 28, 2026 fire event and is required to obtain a county building permit for repair, reconstruction, or redevelopment of the affected property.
SO RESOLVED this   7th    day of   April  , 2026.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to approve the multi-functional copier/printer maintenance agreement for Medical Examiner. Carried 5-0. Copy filed. 

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to approve payment of $713,308.74 for the County s share of Elk Creek Road Project to the City of Sioux City. Carried 5-0.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution to transfer funds ($714,000) from General Basic to Secondary Roads. Carried 5-0.

RESOLUTION FOR INTERFUND OPERATING TRANSFERS
RESOLUTION #14,023

Whereas, it is desired to authorize the Auditor to periodically transfer sums from the General Basic
Services Fund to the Secondary Roads Fund during the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget year, and

Whereas, said transfers must be in accordance with Section 331.429 Code of Iowa,

Whereas, the purpose of the transfers are to fund Phase II of the Elk Creek Road Project

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

The total maximum transfers from the General Basic Services Fund to the Secondary Roads Fund
for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, shall not exceed the sum of $ 714,000.

The Auditor is directed to correct her books when said operating transfers are made and to notify
the Treasurer of the amounts of said transfers.

The above and foregoing resolution was adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County
Iowa, on April 7th, 2026. 
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Miscellaneous Review of All Funds presented by Budget Director, Ryan Ericson. Copy filed.

Reports on committee meetings were heard.

Dan Priestley shared with the Board his creation and approval to teach a Public Information Course. EMS Director, Drew Baier commended the collaboration amongst multiple agencies on their efforts to extinguish the March 28, 2026 fires.
    
Board concerns were heard.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until April 14, 2026.

Meeting sign in sheet. Copy filed.