Board of Supervisors Minutes
March 2014

March 4, 2014:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Bartholomew, Morgan and Hickey present. A quorum was declared and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous Board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.

At 9:00 a.m. Two LEC claims where approved: The Sidney Argus-Herald, Notice to Bidders & Hearing Notice on LEC $106.48; Hamburg Reporter, Notice to Bidders & Hearing Notice on LEC $71.61.

At 9:05 a.m. John Askew, Rod Finnell and Jerry Birkby, Trustees and Gene Eaton, Clerk, for Missouri Valley Drainage District met with the board. Askew said following the meeting with the Board of Supervisors on February 18th, he got an estimate to clean out Plum Creek and it was a little over $11,000. Since the Board of Supervisor’s are trustees of Scott Re-levy Askew was wondering if they could count on them for some help. The board agreed to meet with the members of the Missouri Valley Drainage District regarding the issue.

At 9:20 a.m. Approximately thirty people met with the board concerning the Loess Hills Alliance’s involvement in lobbying to turn the Loess Hills into a National Reserve. Several people spoke out thinking it would have a negative impact on Fremont County, and were requesting the board oppose it. Bob Benton, Chairman, of the Fremont County Conservation Board spoke briefly saying there are people who own land in Fremont County that are interested in preserving their land, and would like to have another option they could go to. Hickey made a motion to follow Harrison County’s lead with a letter of intent saying in part "regarding the national reserve designation for the Loess Hills. Currently, our position is that the county has concerns with this designation." Morgan seconded the motion. Motion carried on a vote: Ayes: 3 Nays 0.

At 9:30 a.m. Staci Scroggie was not present at this meeting.

At 10:00 a.m. Steve Perry, Olmsted & Perry, gave an update on the 3rd Phase of the Streetscape Project for the City of Sidney. Present were Nick Johnson, Lee Ryherd, Mark Travis, John Walter, Danny Toma and Kevin Aistrope. Perry said the construction should start shortly after the 31st of March and wrap it up about October 1st.

At 10:12 a.m. Lee Ryherd, Assistant Engineer, met with the board. Motion was made by Morgan to approve IDOT Final Payment Voucher for Proj #BRS-CO36(60)--60-36 (Thurman Bridge). Motion carried on a vote: Ayes: 3 Nays 0.

At 10:30 a.m. Michael Hart, Northland Securities, met with the board to go over the Resolutions they would be approving at the meeting, and discuss any questions they may have concerning the GO Bond sale process. Present were Kevin Aistrope, Sara Parmenter and John Walter. Hart informed the group there would be some flexibility in what they really want to have in bond proceeds. There are restrictions on how you can spend the proceeds, but the county may want to consider the full amount because of any unforeseen issues that may arise. Morgan made a motion to go with the full amount allowed by the referendum. Motion carried on a vote: Ayes: 3 Nays 0. Hickey made a motion to approve resolutions to carry out the process for the General Obligation Bond sale. Motion carried on a vote: Ayes: 3 Nays 0.

At 10:15 a.m. Mike Crecelius, EMC, did not make it to the meeting.

In other business, payroll and claims for March 7, 2014, were approved.

At 11:00 a.m. there being no further business, Hickey made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried on a vote: Ayes: 3 Nays 0.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                 Bart Bartholomew, Chairman

March 11, 2014:

At 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, a Department Head meeting was held in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom.  Present were Cara Morgan, Randy Hickey, Bart Bartholomew, Kevin Aistrope, Mike Crecelius, Jenny McAllister, Karen Berry, Danny Toma, James Burger and Nick Johnson.  Topics discussed were: full jail, grass/brush fires, water bill, EDMS filing & software, ISAC meetings, Hwy 2 flood issues, mental health regional funding, LEC project.

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Bartholomew, Hickey and Morgan present. A quorum was declared and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous Board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.

Let the records show Gary Nebel, Nick Johnson, Kevin Aistrope and James Burger were present for this meeting.

At 9:00 a.m. Joan Kirk, Auditor, was requesting permission to destroy old closed session board recordings for lack of space to store them properly. Motion was made by Morgan to keep the last three years of recordings, and the old records should be physically destroyed by the county’s IT Director and the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. Motion carried on a vote: Ayes: 3 Nays: 0

At 9:15 a.m. Mike Crecelius, EMC, met with the board to discuss his budget.

At 9:50 a.m. Dan Davis, Engineer, Motion was made by Morgan allowing the Chairman to sign IDOT Universal Payment Voucher for HGM on Project #BROS-CO36(68)--5E-36. Motion carried on a vote: Ayes: 3 Nays: 0

At 9:55 a.m. Granville Williams, met with the board regarding wet land property he owns in Fremont County.

At 10:00 a.m. A public hearing for adoption of the 2014/2015 County Budget was held. Present were Supervisors Bart Bartholomew, Randy Hickey, Cara Morgan and Auditor Joan Kirk. With no objections at 10:10 a.m. motion was made by Morgan to close the hearing, and pass the following Resolutions to approve the FY 2014/2015 Budget. Motion carried on a vote: Ayes: 3 Nays: 0.

RESOLUTION NO. 2014-12

RESOLUTION FOR APPROPRIATIONS

WHEREAS, it is desired to make appropriations for each of the different officers and departments for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014 in accordance with Section 331.434, Subsection 6, Code of Iowa.

THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors this 11th day of March 2014, the following: SECTION 1-The amounts itemized by fund and department on the attached schedule are hereby appropriated from the resources/fund as shown. SECTION 2- Subject to the provisions of other county procedures and regulations, and applicable state law, the appropriations authorized under Section 1 shall constitute an authorization for the department/officer listed to make expenditures or incur obligations from the itemized fund, effective July 1, 2014. SECTION 3-In accordance with Section 331.437, Code of Iowa, no Department/Officer shall incur any liability in excess of the amount appropriated to this resolution. SECTION 4-If, at any time during the 2014/2015 budget year the Auditor ascertains that the available resources of a fund will be less than said fund's total appropriations, he/she shall immediately inform the Board and recommend appropriate corrective action. SECTION 5-The Auditor shall establish separate accounts for the appropriations authorized in Section 1. The Auditor shall report the status of such accounts to the applicable Departments/Officers monthly during the 2014/2015 budget year. SECTION 6-All appropriations authorized pursuant to this resolution lapse at the close of business on June 30, 2015. The above and foregoing resolution was adopted by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 11, 2014.

Motion to approve by Morgan, carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2014-13

RESOLUTION FOR ADOPTION OF BUDGET AND CERTIFICATION OF TAXES:

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors this 11th day of March 2014, that the proposed budget for fiscal year July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015, after one public hearing as required by law on March 11, 2014, be adopted as proposed and published. Property taxes levied will be as follows: County wide levies; General Basic amount of $1,807,264.00 with a rate of 3.50000, General Supplemental amount of $932.269.00 with a rate of 1.80546; County Services Fund amount of $327,404.00 with a rate of .63406, County Debt Levy (LEC) 367,894 with a countywide valuation without gas and electric of 516,361,073. Rural Services with a valuation without gas and electric of 411,157,056, for an amount of $1,356,818 at the rate of 3.30000. Grand total dollars is $4,791,649.

Motion to approve by Morgan, carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION 2014-14

RESOLUTION REGARDING SALARY INCREASES RECOMMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION BOARD

WHEREAS, the Fremont County Compensation Board has recommended an increase of pay of 5% for the County Attorney, Auditor, Recorder, Treasurer, Sheriff and Board of Supervisors and

THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors this 11th day of March 2014, that the recommended raises of the Compensation Board be adopted. The Fremont County Attorney will receive $63,158 for 2014/2015, an increase of $3,008 from 2013/2014 salary; the Fremont County Auditor, Recorder and Treasurer will each receive $46,963 for 2014/2015, and increase of $2,236 from 2013/2014 salary; the Fremont County Sheriff will receive $59,298 for 2014/2015 an increase of $2,824 from 2013/2014 salary; and the Fremont County Board of Supervisors will receive $28,084 for 2014/2015 an increase of $1,337 from 2013/2014 salary. Motion to approve made by Morgan, carried unanimously.

At 10:20 a.m. Steve Riley, Prochaska & Associates, met with the board to sign contracts with Meco-Henne for LEC project. Present were Mike Emanuel, Bill Huey, Kevin Aistrope and Steve Owen.

A claim was approved for hand written warrant: Elections Administration; Postage, $60.00.

In other business the Recorder’s Report for February 2014 was approved.

At 11:25a.m. there being no further business, Hickey made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried on a vote: Ayes: 3 Nays: 0.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                 Bart Bartholomew, Chairman

March 18, 2014:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in a special session on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Bartholomew and Hickey present. A quorum was declared and the meeting officially called to order at 1:00 p.m.

At 1:00 p.m. Eight bids were received at a public sale for General Obligation Bonds, Series 2014A, in the principal amount of $5,425,000, and the best bid received was determined to be Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. with true interest rate of 2.9273557. Motion carried on a vote: Ayes: 2 Nays 0.

At 1:20 p.m. Hickey made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried on a vote: Ayes: 2 Nays 0

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                 Bart Bartholomew, Chairman

March 25, 2014:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Bartholomew, Hickey and Morgan present. A quorum was declared and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous Board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.

Let the records show Sandra Parmenter with The Hamburg Reporter was also present for this meeting. Also present was Nick Johnson.

At 9:00 a.m. Motion was made by Morgan to approve the following Resolution 2014-16. Motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NAMING DEPOSITORIES 2014-16

RESOLVED, that the Fremont County Board of Supervisors of Fremont County, Iowa, approves the following list of financial institutions to be depositories of the funds in conformance with all applicable provisions of Iowa Code Chapter 12C.

RESOLVED, Judith Crain, Fremont County Treasurer is hereby authorized to deposit the Fremont County Funds in amounts not to exceed the maximum approved for each respective financial institution as set out below:

At 9:05 a.m. Dan Davis, Engineer, met with the board. Motion was made by Morgan to approve signing 2015 IDOT Budget and Program. Motion carried unanimously.

At 9:15 a.m. Motion was made by Hickey and carried unanimously, to approve a resolution ordering the Treasurer to suspend taxes pursuant to Iowa Code Section 427.9 in regards to a notification received from the Department of Human Services.

At 9:20 a.m. Mike Crecelius, EMC, met with the board to discuss his budget. Joan Kirk, County Auditor was asking clarification regarding what portion of his wages the county pays. The board agrees the EMPG Grant pays half and the county pays half of Crecelius’ salary. Crecelius said the EMPG grant does not always come in on time which creates a negative balance. Kirk feels the county’s portion of the EMC salary should come out of general supplemental and not all out of rural basic. Then the cities would not have to levy a tax anymore for EMC. If it comes out of general supplemental all of the county is taxed equally for EMC. The board agreed moving forward the EMC county contribution will be coming out of general supplemental. Crecelius said he will not bill the cities for their contribution for year 14/15 so they will not double pay.

At 9:35 a.m. Kevin Thorne, DNR, revisited with the board regarding surfacing a portion of a county road leading into Wa-Shaw-Tee State Park. Also present was County Engineer Dan Davis. Davis said he did not have the funds in his budget to do it at this time, his department is still recovering from flood damaged county roads.

At 9:45 a.m. Kevin Aistrope, Sheriff, met with the board requesting approval to purchase two new vehicles for year 2014/2015. The Sheriff presented estimates on a 2014 Tahoe and a 2014 Silverado. Motion was made by Hickey to allow for the purchase of one vehicle of the sheriff’s choice. Motion carried unanimously.

At 10:00 a.m. Danny Toma, Custodian, met with the board presenting two bids for a dedicated electrical circuit for the courthouse elevator. One bid was $2,800.00, and the other $5,829.00. Morgan made a motion to approve the lowest bid for the electrical work. Motion carried unanimously.

Toma also presented bids for seal coating, crack filling and re-striping a portion of the courthouse parking lot. The board decided that recovering from the 2011 flood, and construction of a new jail, to not do the repairs at this time. Also discussed were cracks in the sidewalk that need attention. Hickey went outside, and gave Toma his recommendation on how Toma could repair them.

At 10:25 a.m. there being no further business, Hickey made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.