Wayne County Board of Supervisors
July 13, 2020
Meeting of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors was held on the 13th day of July 2020, in the Board Room of the Wayne County Courthouse, Corydon, Iowa, pursuant to notice duly given in compliance with Iowa Code Section 21.4. The Board noted due notice of meeting subject to said Code Section.
Present were David Dotts, Tom Swearingin, Don Seams; members of the Board, Gary Bennett, Ed McCollough, Nick Sulser, Jen Reed, and Michelle Dooley.
Unless otherwise noted, all motions were approved unanimously.
Dotts called meeting to order at 9:00 AM
Pledge of Allegiance
Seams made motion to amend agenda allowing public to speak to the Board 1st, seconded by TSwearingin.
TSwearingin made motion to adopt the amended agenda, seconded by Seams.
Seams made motion to approve minutes for July 1, 2020, seconded by TSwearingin.
TSwearingin made motion to approve claims as presented, seconded by Seams.
Public Comments:
Gary Bennett was present to approach the Board about the happenings in the Courthouse. Bennett was surprised by the tarp at the Treasurer’s Counter and he wanted to know why all the offices were not open back up. He also wanted to know the purpose of the Courthouse Remodeling Project. Bennett requested more openness from all county officials.
TSwearingin discussed the need for the Treasurer’s office to be HIPPA compliant and that the tarps were recommended by Carosh (HIPPA Consultant). Wayne County pays Carosh approximately $16,000 and we should take their advice. Treasurer’s office is working through their back log of expired driver’s licenses while trying to keep residents and staff safe and healthy. Iowa DOT is also saying the Treasurer’s Office may not be in HIPPA compliance when issuing drivers licenses. The remodel is to provide more privacy to individuals while conducting their business transactions at the Treasurer’s Office. Dotts reminded everyone that the remodel is still under discussion and that bids are due back on Friday, July 24 @ 4PM. Bids will be open during the Regular Session Meeting on July 27th @ 9AM. Then a decision may be made. Seams is concerned with the financial burden that the county could be facing this fall and next spring because of COVID-19. Seams is not for spending a tremendous amount on this remodel. Dooley stated that the Auditor’s office is still willing to move to allow the Treasurer’s office more space for social distancing and privacy but they need access to the back storage room. Dooley also wanted to make the public aware that Karr Tuckpointing is scheduled to re-caulk the windows and doors of the Courthouse because of water leakage causing deterioration of the structure. Ed McCullough and Nick Sulser also wanted to hear more about the reason for remodel, why the Treasurer’s office is not fully opened back up and stated concerns with raising taxes in these difficult times. TSwearingin stated taxes will be going up because valuations went up. Valuations are set based on state guidelines. The County tax levy rate did go down for next tax statements. The goal is to carry sufficient fund balances to operate between tax collection periods and to maintain steady growth for the county will providing essential services. TSwearingin also stated that the only time taxes can be reduced is during the budget season which is from December thru March.
Dotts thanked the public for attending and reassured them that he was listening to their concerns and that he is always available to visit with.
Heidi Kuhl with Northland Securities joined the meeting by phone.
Tom Swearingin made motion to open the public hearing for Bond Issuance @ 9:52AM, seconded by Seams. No petition was filed and zero (0) written objections were filed with the Auditor’s Office regarding this matter. Dotts then asked if there were any oral objections to the issuance of said Bonds and zero (0) were made.
Seams made motion to close public hearing on the Bond Issuance at 9:54AM, seconded by TSwearingin.
TSwearingin made motion to adopt “Resolution Instituting Proceedings to take additional action for the issuance of not to exceed $1,960,000 General Obligation Local Option Sales and Services Tax Refunding Bonds, Series 2020A”, seconded by Seams.
TSwearingin made motion to pass and approve “Resolution Approving Official Statement,” seconded by Seams.
Seams made motion to pass and approve Resolution 21-12 “Resolution Approving Bond Disclosure Policy,” seconded by TSwearingin.
Bill Byrns/EMA & 911 did not have anything to present.
Dan Carpenter/Assistant Engineer presented on behalf to Secondary Roads. The Iowa DNR will approve the west low water crossing for Locust Creek if sketch shows new sides are flush with channel. Calhoun-Burns working on The Medicine Creek Project. Pre-construction meeting with Norris Asphalt & Paving regarding the Allerton Pavement Project is scheduled for the last week of July. Cold-in-Place is scheduled for August/September and surface course is September/October. Bridge project on S56 North of Promise City is open up for traffic. Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) Patching letting date is August 18, 2020 for various locations throughout county. The patching project scheduled to begin prior to October 12, 2020. Theft of rock and obstructions in the right-of-way is still an issue working with Sheriff’s Office to resolve the situations. Zerr authored letter to the Iowa Utilities Board regarding restoration of agricultural lands during and after pipeline construction. The letter was reviewed and signed by the Board to be sent. Also, the new mower tractor should be delivered soon. The new truck for the Sign/Weed Commissioner has been delivered and the new box has been installed. They will be working on installing radio and additional equipment next. The two (2) new road graders are scheduled to be delivered in October. Secondary Road Department currently has a total of seven (7) road graders.
Dotts stated that Danny Coffey is still housing the courthouse lawnmower in is garage. Coffey is willing to sell his 12X14 lawnmower shed to the county for $1,800. Dotts had priced similar sheds in Humeston, Lockridge and on-line and the price ranged from $2,500-$4,500. TSwearingin made motion to purchase 12×14 shed from Danny Coffey for $1,800, seconded by Seams. Secondary Road Department will be relocating the shed to the east side of the courthouse.
TSwearingin and Bill Byrns has been working getting a quote for a permanent drop box for the Courthouse offices. TSwearingin presented the quote from Covenant Security Equipment for $1,600 delivered. This drop box is stainless steel, weather resistant, double locked. Seams made motion to approve the purchase drop box from Covenant Security Equipment, seconded by Dotts.
No further public comments made.
Claims paid July 13, 2020
There being no further business, the next regular session meeting of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors will be held on the 27 day of July 2020, at 9:00AM.
TSwearingin made motion to adjourn at 10:23AM, seconded by Seams.
_________________________________ Attested__________________________________
David Dotts, Chairperson Michelle Dooley, County Auditor