Harrison County Supervisors Meeting April 14, 2026 The Harrison County Board of Supervisors, acting as Trustees of the McNeill Main Drainage District, met on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Basement Conference Room of the Monona County Courthouse in Onawa, Iowa. Supervisors present: Brian Rife, Tony Smith, and Rebecca Wilkerson of Harrison County, and Bo Fox, Tom Brouillette and Vince Phillips of Monona County. Absent: None. Also present: Amy Borchardt-Sick and Ashley Brown, Drainage Clerks; Peggy Rolph, Auditor and Wray Wright. THE MCNEILL DRAINAGE DISTRICT RECLASSIFICATION THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS It was moved by Phillips, seconded by Smith to appoint the following as commissioners for the McNeill Inter County Drainage District reclassification. Amanda Goodenow, Engineer with ISG, Ken Carlson, freeholder in Monona County and Larry King, freeholder with Harrison County, with the pay being $75.00 for a half day and $ 150.00 for a full day, plus mileage. Vote on motion: Ayes: Phillips, Brouillette, Fox, Rife, Smith and Wilkerson. Nays: None. Motion carried. Discussion on Engineer Sharing Agreement The Harrison County Board of Supervisors met at the Monona County Courthouse with their Board of Supervisors to discuss the potential of a temporary sharing agreement between the two counties in regard to the engineer position. The boards discussed benefits and disadvantages. Harrison County will work on finalizing an agreement and will forward it to Monona County for consideration. The Board, on its own motion and vote, duly carried, adjourned ATTEST: Michelle Kersten, Drainage Clerk Brian Rife, Chairman April 16, 2026 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order at 9:00am in the Harrison County Boardroom with members Tony Smith and Rebecca Wilkerson in attendance. Motion to approve the tentative agenda was made by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Paul Rhoten, Lary Clark, John Rasmussen, Michele Stirtz, Matt Pitt, Brad Doyle, David Sherer, Ben Nuzum, Tina Fagan, Jack Jones, Blake Johnson, Hunter Hussing, Justin Cooper, Rashelle Wohlers, Todd Denton Public Hearing on FY27 Budget Chairman Brian Rife opened the public hearing as advertised. No comments were heard. Motion to close the public hearing by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. ATTEST: Megan Reffett, Auditor Brian Rife, Chairman April 16, 2026 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order at 9:30am in the Harrison County Boardroom with members Tony Smith and Rebecca Wilkerson in attendance. Motion to approve the tentative agenda was made by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Minutes from April 9th were approved with a motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Minutes from April 14th were approved on a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Paul Rhoten, Lary Clark, John Rasmussen, Michele Stirtz, Matt Pitt, Brad Doyle, David Sherer, Ben Nuzum, Tina Fagan, Jack Jones, Blake Johnson, Hunter Hussing, Justin Cooper, Rashelle Wohlers, Todd Denton Zoning Public Hearing Chairman Brian Rife opened the public hearing as published. ZMA 4.1.26 for Michele Kuehn to rezone from A.1 to R.1 ZMA 4.2.26 for Green Velvet Acres to rezone from A.1 to R.1 No comments were heard. Motion to close the public hearing by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Motion to approve ZMA 4.1.26 for Michele Kuehn to rezone approximately 2 acres in part of the SW NE of section 24-80-44 from A.1 to R.1 by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Motion to approve ZMA 4.2.26 for Green Velvet Acres to rezone approximately 2.5 acres in part of the NE SW of section 21-81-41 from A.1 to R.1 by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Consider Action on Minor Subdivision – Godfrey Acres Motion to approve the minor subdivision by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Extend Wind/Solar Moratorium Motion to extend the Wind and Solar Moratorium for 1 year by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Engineer Sharing Agreement with Monona County The Board met with Monona County this week to discuss their thoughts on the sharing agreement. They discussed the agreement and salary that Rasmussen would be paid. They agreed that each County would pay 50% of the salary and benefit costs. Rife and Smith voiced that they were comfortable increasing the salary to $200,000 for the increase in work and responsibilities. Wilkerson voiced concerns with the increase in salary and the amount of time that Harrison County would be giving up and recommended $180,000. Rasmussen advised he would not take on the additional duties for that salary. Motion to set salary at $200,000, change the termination notice to 60 days, and approve the remaining agreement as is by Smith, second by Rife. Rife Aye. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Nay. Motion carried. Rasmussen will make the requested changes and send the agreement to Monona County for their review and approval. Hi-Level Risk Management Action Plan Review Members from IMWCA and Smith Davis Insurance discussed the Hi-Level Risk Management Action Plan that was signed by the County last year. The County’s mod factor for FY27 has increased again and premiums will be increasing again. They stressed the need for working to reduce the mod factor to reduce the County’s cost and avoid having to seek private insurance. Risk Manager Job Duties and Budget Discussion Risk Manager Rashelle Wohlers presented the board with department updates. Confidentiality Agreement for the IT Director Supervisor Wilkerson worked with Attorney Delanty to draft a confidentiality agreement for the IT Director. Iowa Code Chapter 21 and Chapter 22 cover confidentiality of public employees and the County Handbook address following Chapter 21 and Chapter 22. Rife and Smith felt it was a redundant policy. No action was taken. Handwritten Warrant for US Bank Motion to approve as presented by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Department Bank Reconciliation Harrison County Recorder, Harrison County Jail, Harrison County Sheriff, Harrison County Dare, Harrison County K9, and Harrison County Treasurer presented their March bank reconciliations. Resolution for Cancellation of Treasurer Checks Treasurer Phillips presented the Resolution for Cancellation of Treasurer Checks. HARRISON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RESOLUTION: 04172026 WHEREAS, the Treasurer has on her books a number of outstanding Treasurers checks over one year old; WHEREAS, the Treasurer is requesting approval to cancel these outstanding Treasurers checks by the Board of Supervisors; THEREFORE, the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors is to cancel the outstanding Treasurers checks listed below. The Board of Supervisors herby approves the cancellation of the following outstanding Treasurers checks listed and a credit of each check amount shall be made to the appropriate fund. Fund, Check #, Check Date, Payee, Amount 01000, 30654, 09/04/2024, ACC 1006 LLC, $647.73 01000, 30666, 09/17/2024, Tyler Coffin, $3.95 01000, 30672, 09/24/2024, Dale Edward Sims, $35.00 01000, 29932, 01/08/2025, Krista Shaffer, $24.00 If the payee cashes a cancelled check, and the bank accepts it, the Treasurer will have to reverse the above procedure. No Affidavit required. Sec. 331.554.6 Motion to approve as presented by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Rife Aye. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Drainage Transfer of Funds Michelle Kersten, Drainage Clerk, presented the Board with a Resolution for Drainage Transfers to close out FEMA drainage district accounts that are no longer in use. RESOLUTION FOR DRAINAGE TRANSFER WHEREAS, the drainage districts in Harrison County received funds. Accounts were set up for these funds that allowed the Drainage Clerk to pay claims. WHEREAS, it has come to our attention that some drainage districts accounts had overages and some had shortages. The overages and shortages need to be transferred to the correct accounts. THEREFORE, it is recommended that a transfer of funds be made to show the following accounts corrected: Transfer Funds From, Transfer Funds To, Amount 51158 - Annis, 51002, $26,712.92 51006 - Cobb Creek, 51133, $6,959.74 51010 - Cut-Off Lake, 51135, $18,708.79 51011 - Ehlert, 51136, $21,75.73 51012 - Euclid, 51137, $8,216.18 51019 - H & P, 51160, $325,559.42 51023 - Latta, 51165, $109,968.52 51028 - Mills Sub, 51147, $2,200.10 51148 - North Nobles Lake, 51130, $1,834.75 51159 - Schwertley, 51041, $1,490.56 51045 - Soldier Valley, 51151, $296,266.65 51153 - Thomas Sub, 51047, $7,843.10 51048 – Upper Boyer, 51154, $634,272.76 51049 - Up. Soldier #1, 51155, $151,539.21 51163 – Wilson Sub, 51057, $25,0849.20 51058 - Young, 51162, $230.17 The Auditor is directed to correct her books accordingly and to notify the Treasurer of this transfer, accompanying the notification with a copy of this resolution and the record of its adoption. Motion to approve as presented by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Rife Aye. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Harrison County Historic Preservation Updates Ben Nuzum gave the Board an update on the County Historic Preservation committee. FY27 Budget Discussion The Board had no further discussion on the FY27 budget. Resolution to set Elected Officials Salaries for FY27 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Harrison County Compensation Board met on January 30, 2026, and recommended salary increase for the elected officials for fiscal year 2027; THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Harrison County Board of Supervisors, that a raise of 2% as of their 6/30/2026 salary shall be given to the Auditor, Recorder, Treasurer, and Sheriff. The Attorney shall be paid a base salary of 120,000. Budget Director stipend shall be set at $6,000. No change in PRP or the Supervisors pay. Salaries for Elected Officials are as follows: AUDITOR, $78,793; $3,639 PRP; $6,000 budget director RECORDER, $78,793; $3,639 PRP TREASURER, $78,793; $3,639 PRP ATTORNEY, $120,000; $3,639 PRP SHERIFF, $118,010; $3,639 PRP SUPERVISORS (3), $39,035 (EACH); $894 PRP Motion to approve as presented by Smith, second by Rife. Rife Aye. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Nay. Action to set FY27 Levy Rates RESOLUTION WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on April 16, 2026 for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Harrison County budget in accordance with Iowa Code 331.434, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Harrison County Board of Supervisors hereby adopts said Budget and Certification of Taxes for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027. Levies 3.39806, General Basic 2.95339, General Supplemental 2.89318, Rural Basic .33421, Debt Service Property Tax, Levied Dollars $4,651,828, General Basic $4,043,090, General Supplemental $2,980,350, Rural Basic $464,423, Debt Service $12,139,691, Total Property Tax Dollars Motion to approve as presented by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Rife Aye. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Nay. Action to set Public Hearing for FY26 Budget Amendment Budget Director Reffett presented the proposed amendment. Motion to set the public hearing for May 7th at 9:00 AM by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Comments Brad Doyle – Comments on Engineer sharing agreement Todd Denton – Comments on Risk Management discussion With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. ATTEST: Megan Reffett, Auditor Brian Rife, Chairman HCTR 4-29-26
