Minutes - 5/26/2026

MAY 26, 2026, TWENTY SECOND MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS  

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Board members present were Carper, Dietrich, Bittinger II, and Ung; Nelson was absent. Staff members present were Karen James, Board Administrative Assistant, Ryan Ericson, Budget and Finance Director, Melissa Thomas, HR Director, Joshua Widman, Assistant County Attorney, 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 Dietrich second by Bittinger to approve the May 26, 2026 agenda. Carried 4-0. Copy filed.

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

To approve minutes of the May 19, 2026 meeting. Copy filed.
    
To approve the claims totaling $1,497,690.14. Copy filed.

To approve the reclassification of Joseph Greco, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 06-08-2026, $26.98/hour, 4%=$0.94/hr. Per CWA Civilian   Move from 3rd to 2nd Class.  Anniversary Date: 06/12/26.; the reclassification of Ronald Vogt, Court Security Officer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 06-08-2026, $34.57/hour, 11%=$3.45/hr.  Per CWA Civilian   Move from Senior to Master.  Anniversary Date: 6/18/26.; and the reclassification of Hediberto Ponce, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 06-08-2026, $31.12/hour, 10%=$2.92/hr. Per CWA Civilian   Move from 1st Class to Senior.  Anniversary Date: 6/18/26. Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Authorization to initiate the hiring process for Operations Officer - Paramedic, Emergency Services Dept.  Wage Plan: $26.84/hour.  Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution setting the public hearing and sale date for parcel #894729406018, 121 Market St.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #14,039
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 Eighteen (18) & the East   of Lot Nineteen (19) Block Nineteen (19) Sioux City Addition to Sioux City, in the County of Woodbury and State of Iowa
(121 Market 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 9th Day of June, 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 9th Day of June, 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 $627.00 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 26th Day of May, 2026.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Carried 4-0.

Motion by Bittinger second by Dietrich to approve the Builder s Risk Insurance Client Authorization.  Carried 4-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Dietrich second by Bittinger to approve 2026 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 61 Local 3462, MOU regarding the Maintenance Technician pay grade.  Carried 4-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Dietrich to approve the expenditure for FY2027 CIP HCI Nutanix purchase.  Carried 4-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Dietrich to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution adopting and levying special assessment in the Little Sioux Inter-County Drainage District.  Carried 4-0.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #14,040
RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND LEVYING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
IN THE LITTLE SIOUX INTER-COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Little Sioux Inter-County Drainage District, in session on the 5th day of March, 2026, requested that the Board of Supervisors levy a special assessment of Sixty-five (65%) Percent of the Original Assessment on all tracts of land, lots, public roads, and railroads in the Little Sioux Inter-County Drainage District to procure funds from which to pay the costs and expenses of repair and maintenance incurred.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Joint Board of Supervisors of Monona, Woodbury and Harrison Counties, Iowa, acting as a Drainage Board for the Little Sioux Inter-County Drainage District, that there be and is hereby levied upon all tracts of land, lots, public roads, and railroads in the Little Sioux Inter-County Drainage District of Monona, Woodbury and Harrison Counties, Iowa, a special assessment in the amount of Sixty-five (65%) Percent of the Original Assessment, and the Auditors of Monona, Woodbury and Harrison Counties, Iowa, be directed and ordered to spread such levy upon said lands, to be collected under  468.55 in semi-annual installments in the same manner as general property taxes are collected pursuant to  445.36 in the year 2026-2027.

PASSED and APPROVED this 26th day of May, 2026.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Dietrich second by Bittinger to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution adopting and levying special assessment in the McCandless Inter-County Drainage District.  Carried 4-0.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #14,046
RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND LEVYING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
IN THE MCCANDLESS INTER-COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the McCandless Inter-County Drainage District, in session on the 18th day of February, 2026, requested that the Board of Supervisors levy a special assessment of One Hundred Fifteen Percent (115%) of the Original Assessment on all tracts of land, lots, public roads, and railroads in the McCandless Inter-County Drainage District to procure funds from which to pay the costs and expenses of repair and maintenance incurred.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Joint Board of Supervisors of Monona and Woodbury Counties, Iowa, acting as a Drainage Board for the McCandless Inter-County Drainage District, that there be and is hereby levied upon all tracts of land, lots, public roads, and railroads in the McCandless Inter-County Drainage District of Monona and Woodbury Counties, Iowa, a special assessment in the amount of One Hundred Fifteen Percent(115%) of the Original Assessment, and the Auditors of Monona and Woodbury Counties, Iowa, be directed and ordered to spread such levy upon said lands, to be collected under  468.55 in semi-annual installments in the same manner as general property taxes are collected pursuant to  445.36 in the year 2026-2027.

PASSED and APPROVED this 26th day of May, 2026.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

A public hearing was held at 4:45 p.m. for Amendment #1 to the Woodbury County FY 2026 Budget.  The Chairperson called on anyone wishing to be heard.

Motion by Bittinger second by Dietrich to close the public hearing.  Carried 4-0.

Motion by Bittinger second by Carper to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution Approval of FY 2026 Budget Amendment #1.  Carried 4-0.

APPROVAL OF FY 2026 BUDGET AMENDMENT #1
RESOLUTION #14,044

WHEREAS, the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors has considered the proposed FY 2026 county budget amendment #1; and

WHEREAS, a public hearing concerning the proposed county budget was held on May 26, 2026;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County that the county budget amendment #1 for FY 2026 as set forth in the budget amendment summary, is hereby adopted and that the Woodbury County Auditor is directed to file said budget and to establish accounting records in accordance with the attached schedules.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Vice-Chairperson and the County Auditor be and are hereby authorized to sign the approved FY 2026 county budget amendment.

Signed and dated the 26th day of May, 2026.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Dietrich second by Bittinger to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution adopting and levying special assessment in the Sandhill-Lakeport Inter-County Drainage District.  Carried 4-0.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #14,041
RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND LEVYING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
IN THE SANDHILL-LAKEPORT INTER-COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Sandhill-Lakeport Inter-County Drainage District, in session on the 16th day of March, 2026, requested that the Board of Supervisors levy a special assessment of Sixty Percent (60%) of the Original Assessment on all tracts of land, lots, public roads, and railroads in the Sandhill-Lakeport Inter-County Drainage District to procure funds from which to pay the costs and expenses of repair and maintenance incurred.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Joint Board of Supervisors of Monona and Woodbury Counties, Iowa, acting as a Drainage Board for the Sandhill-Lakeport Inter-County Drainage District, that there be and is hereby levied upon all tracts of land, lots, public roads, and railroads in the Sandhill-Lakeport Inter-County Drainage District of Monona and Woodbury Counties, Iowa, a special assessment in the amount of Sixty Percent (60%) of the Original Assessment, and the Auditors of Monona and Woodbury Counties, Iowa, be directed and ordered to spread such levy upon said lands, to be collected under  468.55 in semi-annual installments in the same manner as general property taxes are collected pursuant to  445.36 in the year 2026-2027.

PASSED and APPROVED this 26th day of May, 2026.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Dietrich second by Carper to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution adopting and levying special assessment in the Woodbury-Monona Lateral 2 Drainage District.  Carried 4-0.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #14,042
RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND LEVYING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
IN THE WOODBURY-MONONA LATERAL 2 DRAINAGE DISTRICT

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Little Sioux Inter-County Drainage District, Trustees of the Woodbury Monona Lateral 2 Drainage District, in session on the 5th day of March, 2026, requested that the Board of Supervisors levy a special assessment of Forty Three and 52/100 Percent (43.52%) on all tracts of land, lots, public roads, and railroads in the Woodbury-Monona Lateral 2 Drainage District to procure funds from which to pay the costs and expenses of repair and maintenance incurred.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County, Iowa, acting as a Drainage Board for the Woodbury-Monona Lateral 2 Drainage District, that there be and is hereby levied upon all tracts of land, lots, public roads, and railroads in the Woodbury-Monona Lateral 2 Drainage District of Woodbury County, Iowa, a special assessment in the amount of Forty Three and 52/100 Percent (43.52%), and the Auditor of Woodbury County, Iowa, be directed and ordered to spread such levy upon said lands, to be collected under  468.55 in semi-annual installments in the same manner as general property taxes are collected pursuant to  445.36 in the year 2026-2027.

PASSED and APPROVED this 26th day of May, 2026.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Dietrich second by Bittinger to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution adopting and levying special assessment in the Woodbury Monona Lateral  11  Drainage District.  Carried 4-0.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #14,043
RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND LEVYING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
IN THE WOODBURY MONONA LATERAL  11  DRAINAGE DISTRICT

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Little Sioux Inter-County Drainage District, Trustees of the Woodbury Monona Lateral  11  Drainage District, in session on the ___ day of May, 2026, requested that the Board of Supervisors levy a special assessment of Forty and 06/100 (40.06%) Percent of the Original Assessment in the Woodbury Monona Lateral  11  Drainage District to procure funds from which to pay the costs and expenses of repair and maintenance incurred.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County, Iowa, acting as a Drainage Board for the Woodbury Monona Lateral  11  Drainage District of Woodbury County, Iowa, that there be and is hereby levied upon all tracts of land, lots, public roads, and railroads in the Woodbury Monona Lateral  11  Drainage District of Woodbury County, Iowa, a special assessment in the amount of Forty and 06/100 (40.06%) Percent of the Original Assessment, and the Auditor of Woodbury County, Iowa, be directed and ordered to spread such levy upon said lands, to be collected under  468.55 in semi-annual installments in the same manner as general property taxes are collected pursuant to  445.36 in the year 2026-2027.

PASSED and APPROVED this 26th day of May, 2023.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Dietrich second by Bittinger to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution approving petition for suspension of taxes for Paul Harmsen, parcel #894729259015, 217 Main St.  Carried 4-0.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #14,045
RESOLUTION APPROVING PETITION FOR SUSPENSION OF TAXES

WHEREAS, Paul Harmsen, as titleholder of a property located 217 Main Street, Sioux City, Iowa, Woodbury County, Iowa, and legally described as follows:   
     
 Parcel #894729259015

SIOUX CITY ADDN S 28 FT N 123.5 FT LOT 10 & N 324 FT S 60 FT E 15 FT LOT 11 BLK 8
         
WHEREAS, Paul Harmsen 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  record the approval of this tax suspension for this property.

SO RESOLVED this 26th  day of May 2026.  
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Reports on committee meetings were heard.

Treasurer Tina Bertrand addressed the board regarding the tax sale and suspension of taxes.

Auditor Recorder Michelle Skaff addressed the board regarding the June 2 Primary Election. 
    
Board concerns were heard.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until June 2, 2026.

Meeting sign in sheet. Copy filed.