Harrison County Supervisors Meeting August 14, 2025 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order with members Tony Smith and Rebecca Wilkerson in attendance. The motion to approve the tentative agenda was made by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Minutes from August 4th, 5th, and 7th were approved with a motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Motion to approve the minutes from the second meeting on the 7th by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Paul Rhoten, David Sims, Shelia Phillips, Sarah Delanty, Michele Stirtz, Stephanie Blackford, Tim Johnson County Engineer County Engineer Dave Sims gave updates on the department. Work on the Panora seal coat project will start this week. The road crew have been working to get to 125th Street moved and rebuilt for the levee that is being worked on in the Little Sioux Drainage District. Staff looked at the Woodland Camp ditches that were reported as issues last week. They have planned to clean the North ditches and see if that will help outline the issues better. Payout for Dave Sims The Board reviewed the payout requested by Dave Sims. Sims requested 11/52nd payout of 120 hours of vacation and 32 hours of personal time. The Board discussed the requested payout and whether Sims was entitled to the personal leave that was requested but not outlined in his contract. Sims advised the Board his contract includes all other leaves that are provided under the County handbook. Auditor Reffett stated that the County handbook states employees in years 1 through 10 will receive 3 days of personal leave. Sims agreed and changed his request to 11/52nd of the 24 hours of personal time. The Board discussed whether Sims should receive the personal leave before completing 1 year of service with the County. Motion to approve the payout for 11/52nd of 120 hours of vacation in the amount of $1,593.10 by Rife, second by Smith. Motion carried. Approval of Engineer Contract for John Rasmussen Motion to approve the contract as presented for John Rasmussen by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Approval of Farm-to-Market and Federal or State Aid Resolution The Board reviewed the Farm-to-Market and Federal or State Aid Resolution RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Harrison County, Iowa, that John Rasmussen, the County Engineer of Harrison County, Iowa, be and is hereby designated, authorized, and empowered on behalf of the Board of Supervisors of said County to execute the certification of completion of work and final acceptance thereof in accordance with plans and specifications in connection with all Farm-to-Market and Federal or State aid construction projects in this county. Motion to approve the resolution as presented by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Motion carried. Reserve Retainer for Pending Litigation Attorney Delanty gave the Board an update on a lawsuit that has been filed against the Tekamah Airport Board. The Board of supervisors has appointed two people to represent the County on this Board. Attorney Delanty advised that the two individuals are both being sued individually and that the Board should provide legal services for these individuals. She requested a retainer in the amount of $10,000 to cover litigation costs and be used to retain Nathan Begley for these individuals that were appointed by the Board. Motion to approve the retainer to be used to retain Nathan Begley by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Liquor License for Lucky Wife Wine Slushies Motion to approve the liquor license for Lucky Wife Wine Slushies by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. ISAC Voting Resolution The Board reviewed the presented resolution from ISAC to designate voting representatives for the County. Resolution To Designate Voting Representatives for the Iowa State Association of Counties WHEREAS, Harrison County (“County”) is a member of the Iowa State Association of Counties; and WHEREAS, the ISAC Articles of Incorporation were updated in November 2024 to require the County to designate, through resolution by its Board of Supervisors, its County Voting Representatives; and WHEREAS, only the designated County Voting Representatives have the power to vote on behalf of the County at ISAC; and WHEREAS, the County Voting Representatives must be either elected county officials or the principal officer for each county department represented by an Affiliated Association of ISAC. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Harrison County Board of Supervisors, effective immediately, hereby designates the following persons as County Voting Representatives for ISAC: Iowa State Association of County Supervisors: Brian Rife, Rebecca Wilkerson, Tony Smith Iowa State Sheriffs’ and Deputies’ Association: Brandon Doiel Iowa County Attorneys Association, Inc.: Sarah Delanty Iowa State Association of County Auditors: Megan Reffett Iowa State County Treasurers Association: Shelia Phillips Iowa County Recorders Association, Inc.: Felicia Geith Iowa County Engineers Association: John Rasmussen Iowa State Association of Assessors: Emily Allmon Iowa Community Services Association: Iowa Emergency Management Association: Glenn Birks County Conservation Directors Association of Iowa: Thad Pothast Iowa Environmental Health Association, Inc.: Matt Pitt Iowa Counties Public Health Association: David Sherer County Zoning Officials of Iowa: Matt Pitt Iowa Counties Information Technology Organization: Taryn Wegner Iowa Association of County Commissioners and Veterans Service Officers, Inc.: Brittany Freet Motion to approve the presented resolution by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Motion carried. Payout for Amanda Barnum The Board reviewed the payout for Amanda Barnum in the amount of $1242. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Little Sioux Sewer Updates Ben Nuzum updated the Board with the deficit that is being carried on the sewer system due to the nonpayment of fees. Nuzum requested the fees be updated from $40 per month to $45 per month. Attorney Delanty advised that if the fees are set in the 28E agreement then the agreement would need to be updated as well. The Board requested Auditor Reffett to research what needs to be done to proceed. Resolution to Transfer County Owned Property The Board reviewed the resolution to sell the County owned property in Magnolia. RESOLUTION RESOLVED, the property described as Commencing at the SE corner of Lot 1, Block 22 Running thence 40 feet North, thence 5 feet East, thence 40 feet South, thence 5 feet West to the place of beginning And Commencing at the NE corner of Lot 8, Block 22 Running thence East 5 feet, thence South 60 feet, thence West 5 feet, thence North 60 feet to the place of beginning ALL in the Town of Magnolia, Harrison County, Iowa. Same being a portion of the street mentioned in ordinance No. 17 of the Incorporation Town of Magnolia. Parcel # 480002278500000 Shall be transferred from Harrison County to Julie Cave, conveyed by Quit Claim Deed. Motion to approve the resolution by Wilkerson, second by Rife. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Zoning Public Hearing Chairman Rife opened the public hearing as advertised. Request to rezone approximately 40 acres from A.1 to R.6 for Shayne Acrea Request to rezone approximately 5 acres from A.1 to B.1 for Brian Hatterman Request to rezone approximately 6 acres from A.1 to R.1 for Brian Hatterman Comments were heard from neighbors regarding the effects of the well water that would be available on the Shayne Acrea property. Comments were heard from Brian Hatterman regarding his proposed idea to build cabins on the south side of his property near Schaben Park. Member Smith brought concerns about the cabins being used as permanent housing. Zoning Director Pitt advised that it would be zoned business and wouldn’t be able to be used for single family housing. Motion to close the public hearing by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Request to rezone approximately 40 acres from A.1 to R.6 for Shayne Acrea. The board took no action on this until additional information could be provided. Request to rezone approximately 5 acres from A.1 to B.1 in part of the NWNW in section 29-81-41 for Brian Hatterman. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Request to rezone approximately 6 acres from A.1 to R.1 in part of the NWNW in section 29-81-41 for Brian Hatterman. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Comments Smith gave concerns about the drain and landscaping on the Northwest side of the Courthouse. Wilkerson provided concerns that she had received regarding county road conditions. Stephanie Blackford shared concerns about the rock being put on the roads. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. ATTEST: Megan Reffett, Auditor Brian Rife, Chairman NOTE: These minutes are as recorded by the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors and are subject to Board approval at the next regular meeting. HCTR 8-20-25
