Minutes - 6/30/2026

JUNE 30, 2026, TWENTY SEVENTH MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS  

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. Board members present were Nelson, Dietrich, Bittinger II, Ung and Carper. Staff members present were Karen James, Board Administrative Assistant, Joshua Widman, Assistant County Attorney, Melissa Thomas, HR Director, and Michelle Skaff, Auditor/Clerk to the Board. 

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

Motion by Nelson second by Ung to go out of joint closed session with the 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 Ung to approve the June 30, 2026, agenda with the removal of action item to vacate county property in Luton. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

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

To approve minutes of the June 23, 2026 meeting. Copy filed.
    
To approve the claims totaling $579,505.81. Copy filed.  

To approve the 28E Agreement between Woodbury County, Iowa and Woodbury Soil & Water Conservation District for funding and management of a watershed inspection and maintenance program in Woodbury County, Iowa. Copy filed.

To approve the other of Steven Holst, Equipment Operator, Secondary Roads Dept., effective 06-22-2026, $29.37/hour, 1%=$0.31/hr. In House Job Vacancy Posted on 4/15/26. Entry Level Salary: $29.37/hr.; the promotion of Melissa Frey-Webb, Senior Clerk, Secondary Roads Dept., effective 07-01-2026, $23.42/hour, 15%=$3.01/hr. Promoted to Senior Clerk. In House Job Vacancy Posted on 6/10/26.; the separation of Adam Alfredson, Youth Worker   PT Temp, Juvenile Detention, effective 07-05-2026. Resigned.; the appointment of Cody Wiebers, Motor Grader Operator, Secondary Roads Dept., effective 07-06-2026, $28.79/hour. Job Vacancy Posted on 5/20/26. Entry Level Salary: $28.79/hr.; the reclassification of Trevor Brass, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney Dept., effective 07-06-2026, $134,366.00/year, 7%=$8,517.00/yr. Per AFSCME Attorney   Move to Step 10. Anniversary Date: 7/15/26.; the reclassification of Gabriel Williams, Youth Worker, Juvenile Detention, effective 07-06-2026, $31.08/hour, 6%=$1.65/hr. Per AFSCME Juvenile   Move to Step 5. Anniversary Date: 7/19/26.; the separation of Katrina Hoogendyk, Paramedic   PT, Emergency Services Dept., effective 07-08-2026. Resigned.; the separation of Nicholas Socknat, Equipment Operator, Secondary Roads Dept., effective 07-13-2026. Resigned.; the promotion of Pamela Jensen, Senior Clerk, Auditor-Recorder Dept., effective 07-01-2026, $28.28/hour, 8%=$2.11/hr. Promoted to Senior Clerk. In House Job Vacancy posted on 6/18/26.; the promotion of Rebecca Bliven, Senior Clerk, Auditor-Recorder Dept., effective 07-01-2026, $28.28/hour, 8%=$2.11/hr. Promoted to Senior Clerk. In House Job Vacancy Posted on 6/18/26.; the promotion of Jackie Bates, Senior Clerk, Auditor-Recorder Dept., effective 07-01-2026, $28.28/hour, 8%=$2.11/hr. Promoted to Senior Clerk. In House Job Vacancy Posted on 6/18/26.; and the promotion of Karla Polley, Senior Clerk, Auditor-Recorder Dept., effective 07-01-26, $28.28/hour, 8%=$2.11/hr. Promoted to Senior Clerk. In House Job Vacancy Posted on 6/18/26. Copy filed.

To approve 10 on-call transport/court security officers. Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Authorization to initiate the hiring process for Youth Worker - PT, Juvenile Detention.  AFSCME Juvenile: $23.40/hour.; Operations Officer   Paramedic PT, Emergency Services Dept. Wage Plan: $27.65-$28.48/hour.; Transport/Court Security Officers   On-Call (10), Sheriff s Office. $35.00/hour.; Correctional Officer, Sheriff s Office. CWA Civilian: $27.21/hour.; Jail Sergeant, Sheriff s Office. CWA Civilian: $40.33/hour.; and Equipment Operator, Secondary Roads. CWA Roads: $28.49/hour. Copy filed.

To approve the request of Susan Ahlquist to remain on county health and dental insurance. Copy filed.

To approve and sign the master contract between Woodbury County, Iowa and The Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO Deputy Sheriff s CWA 7177, effective July 1, 2026-June 30, 2030. Copy filed.

To approve and sign the Wage Reopener Agreement between Woodbury County, Iowa and the Communication Workers of America, AFL-CIO Civilian Officers  CWA 7177, effective July 1, 2026   June 30, 2028. Copy filed.

Carried 5-0.

Motion by Dietrich second by Nelson to receive for signatures a Resolution to temporarily maintain 55 mph until the paved road sections can be reviewed and updated. Carried 5-0.

SPEED LIMIT RESOLUTION
TEMPORARY 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT ON COUNTY PAVED SECONDARY ROADS
RESOLUTION #14,065
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County is empowered under the authority of Sections 321.255 and 321.285, subsection 4, of the Code of Iowa to determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation conducted by the County Engineer that the speed limit of any secondary road is greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions existing, and may determine and declare a reasonable and proper speed limit; and

WHEREAS, Senate File 378 amended Section 321.285 of the Code of Iowa effective July 1, 2026, changing the statutory speed limit on primary roads from fifty-five (55) miles per hour to sixty (60) miles per hour unless otherwise provided; and

WHEREAS, Woodbury County maintains an extensive paved secondary road system consisting of approximately 344 miles of paved roadway and numerous roadway segments with varying geometric characteristics, access densities, traffic volumes, roadside development, and other conditions affecting the reasonable and proper speed of travel; and

WHEREAS, the County Engineer has determined that additional engineering and traffic investigations are necessary to evaluate the reasonable and proper speed limit for the County's paved secondary roads under the revised statutory provisions; and

WHEREAS, the County Engineer recommends maintaining the existing posted speed limit of fifty-five (55) miles per hour and lower where designated on paved secondary roads until such investigations can be completed and individual roadway segments reviewed;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors that:

1. A speed limit of fifty-five (55) miles per hour is hereby established on all paved Woodbury County secondary roads currently posted at fifty-five (55) miles per hour, unless otherwise established by separate resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
2. This resolution is intended as an interim measure to maintain existing speed limits while engineering and traffic investigations are conducted and roadway segments are reviewed by the County Engineer.
3. The County Engineer is directed to continue evaluating paved secondary roads and to provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding any future speed limit modifications deemed reasonable and proper.
4. The speed limits established herein shall be effective upon passage of this resolution and the continued presence of appropriate regulatory signs giving notice of the speed limit.

Passed and approved this _30th_ day of _June_, 2026, by the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Carper to receive for signatures a Resolution to vacate excess County right of way along 275th Street. Carried 5-0.

RESOLUTION #14,066

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA

VACATON OF EXCESS RIGHT OF WAY

WHEREAS the Code of Iowa, section 306.10 gives the Board of Supervisors the power on its own motion to alter or vacate and close any highway or road under its jurisdiction, and

WHEREAS the Code of Iowa, section 306.11 allows the Board to vacate a road right of way held by easement that will not change the traveled portion of the road or deny access to adjoining landowners, and

WHEREAS a road vacation under the circumstances outlined in section 306.11 does not require a hearing, and

WHEREAS there is excess right of way along 275th St, and

WHEREAS vacation of the excess right of way does not affect access or highway use, and

WHEREAS the Board of Supervisors no longer believes the County needs to maintain its easement on the following County right of way,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, enters the following order in regard to the aforementioned right of way vacation.

The Board of Supervisors order the following described right of way be vacated.

SURVEYOR S DESCRIPTION PARCEL 25 A:
PART OF GOVERNMENT LOT 3, SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 87 NORTH, RANGE 47 WEST OF THE 5TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA, ABUTTING LOT 25, GALLAND S LAKEVIEW, A SUB-DIVISION OF A PART OF GOVERNMENT LOT 3, IN SECTION 33, T.87N., R.47W. OF THE 5TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:  BEGINNING AT THE EASTERLY MOST CORNER OF SAID LOT 25; THENCE SOUTHERLY ALONG THE EASTERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 25 AND A 540.00 FOOT RADIUS CURVE CONCAVE WESTERLY FOR 128.01 FEET TO THE SOUTHERLY MOST CORNER OF SAID LOT 25, SAID CURVE HAVING A CHORD BEARING OF S.24 29 15 W. AND A CHORD LENGTH OF 127.71 FEET; THENCE N.36 55 39 E. ALONG A LINE 60.00 FEET WESTERLY OF AND PARALLEL TO THE CENTERLINE OF 275TH STREET FOR 134.63 FEET TO THE NORTHERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 25 EXTENDED EASTERLY; THENCE N.72 54 09 W. ALONG SAID EXTENDED LINE FOR 29.24 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.  CONTAINING 1529 SQUARE FEET.  SUBJECT TO AND TOGETHER WITH ANY AND ALL EASEMENTS, RESTRICTIONS AND COVENANTS.

NOTE:  THE NORTHERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 25 IS ASSUMED TO BEAR N.72 54 09 W.

SURVEYOR S DESCRIPTION PARCEL 26 A:
PART OF THE N.W.1/4 OF THE S.E.1/4, AND PART OF GOVERNMENT LOT 3, ALL IN SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 87 NORTH, RANGE 47 WEST OF THE 5TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA, ABUTTING LOT 26, GALLAND S LAKEVIEW, A SUB-DIVISION OF A PART OF GOVERNMENT LOT 3, IN SECTION 33, T.87N., R.47W. OF THE 5TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:  BEGINNING AT THE EASTERLY MOST CORNER OF SAID LOT 26; THENCE S.53 23 11 E. FOR 84.64 FEET; THENCE S.36 55 39 W. ALONG A LINE 60.00 FEET WESTERLY OF AND PARALLEL TO THE CENTERLINE OF 275TH STREET FOR 107.00 FEET TO THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 26 EXTENDED EASTERLY; THENCE N.72 54 09 W. ALONG SAID EXTENDED LINE FOR 29.24 FEET TO THE SOUTHERLY MOST CORNER OF SAID LOT 26; THENCE NORTHERLY ALONG THE EASTERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 26 AND A 540.00 FOOT RADIUS CURVE CONCAVE WESTERLY FOR 130.03 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, SAID CURVE HAVING A CHORD BEARING OF N.10 47 54 E. AND A CHORD LENGTH OF 129.71 FEET.  CONTAINING 6075 SQUARE FEET.  SUBJECT TO AND TOGETHER WITH ANY AND ALL EASEMENTS, RESTRICTIONS AND COVENANTS.

NOTE:  THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 26 IS ASSUMED TO BEAR N.72 54 09 W.
    
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors that all interest in the subject section of road right-of-way be vacated, subject to utility easements of record for ingress and egress.  

SO ORDERED this 30th day of June, 2026.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to approve the renewal of the State of Nebraska contract to house youth in the Woodbury County Juvenile Detention Center. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Human Resources Director Melissa Thomas presented information regarding the FY 26/27 IMWCA worker s compensation premium. Copy filed.

Judge Tiefenthaler presented information about the Woodbury County Drug Court.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to approve $6,000 from Gaming Funds for program costs for Woodbury County Juvenile and Adult Drug Court. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Reports on committee meetings were heard.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to receive documents from HR Director Melissa Thomas. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Board concerns were heard.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until July 7, 2026.

Meeting sign in sheet. Copy filed.