Harrison County Supervisors Meeting February 5, 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 Smith, second by Rife. Smith Aye. Rife Aye. Wilkerson Abstained. Minutes from January 29th approved on a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Paul Rhoten, Marilyn Mentzer, Brad Doyle, David Sherer, Michele Stirtz, Jack Jones, Brent Dillinger, Cheryl Hellstom, Scott Van Houen, Rashelle Wohlers, Trista McLaughlin, Mike Lilgedahl, Doug Reisz, Don Blackford, Todd Denton Drainage The Board met as trustees for the Little Sioux Intercounty Drainage District. The Board reviewed and signed the election results for the Little Sioux Intercounty Drainage District. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Presentation from Compensation Board Members from the County Compensation Board gave their recommendations for the FY27 salaries for elected officials in Harrison County. Recommendations were 3% for the Auditor, Treasurer, and Recorder bringing them to $79,565 with an increase of $500 in PRP to $4,139. The budget director stipend was recommended to stay at $5000. The Attorney was recommended an increase of 18.77%, bringing her to $120,000 with an increase of $500 in PRP to $4,139. The Sheriff was recommend a 10.63%, bringing him to $128,000 with an increase of $500 in PRP to $4,139. Supervisors were recommended a 1% increase bringing them to 39,425 with no change in PRP to keep it at $894. The Board thanked the Compensation Board for their time working to make these recommendations. Discussion on Iowa Legislation for Public Health Public Health director David Sherer gave an update to the Board on the current legislation that is being discussed for changes in how public health is structured. Department Bank Reconciliations Jail Administration Garrett Klutts presented the jail bank statement for January. Tina Fagan presented the sheriffs office bank statement for January. Treasurer Phillips presented the December and January reconciliations for the Treasurers office. Interfund Transfer Resolution The Board approved the transfer of $10,000 from the Opioid fund to the Tobacco Compliance fund for K9 expenses. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Rife Aye. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Motion carried. Consider Approval of Handwritten Warrant to US Bank The Board reviewed the handwritten warrant to US Bank in the amount of $6,605.64. Motion to approve as presented by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Discussion on FY27 Budget The Board reviewed requested changes from the February 3rd meeting. Additional discussion on reducing the Fair Board contribution amount was held. Fair Board president Trista McLaughlin provided additional information to the Board regarding what their contribution helps with. Wilkerson requested to reduce the amount since all other departments were also being cut. Rife and Smith were satisfied with the current contribution since it was a free event for all county residents. Discussion on insurance amounts also occurred. Auditor Reffett advised that we do not have the reports needed to get final rates for the health insurance rates and are working with the two companies that are providing quotes to get these as soon as possible. Discussion on County’s role in TCE Board members discussed the County’s role in handling the TCE contamination. The Board discussed emails from a county resident and his concerns. The Board discussed what the Army Corps is doing to remediate the issue. Discussion on the criteria used to determine if a well can be drilled and who is responsible for determining if the permit is granted. The Board agreed to continue to work with the DNR and Army Corps to control the contamination. Comments Cheryl Hellstrom – comments on budget cuts and TCE Scott Van Houen – comments on TCE Don Blackford – comments on well testing and TCE 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 February 12, 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 removing the Humane Society was made by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Minutes from February 3rd exempt session was approved on a motion by Wilkerson, second by Rife. Rife Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Smith Abstained. Minutes from February 3rd budget session was approved on a motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Paul Rhoten, Marilyn Mentzer, Brad Doyle, David Sherer, Michele Stirtz, Jack Jones, Brent Dillinger, Stephanie Blackford, Kristi Hildreth, Shelia Phillips Discussion on County IT Interviews Auditor Reffett advised that the several interviews for IT candidates have been scheduled for February 17th with Joel and Micah from the ICIT team assisting. The Board also requested Attorney Delanty and Mitch Flahrtey attend the interviews. They also requested the ICIT individuals help guide them through the interview process. Department Bank Reconciliations Conservation, the County Recorder, and the DARE officer presented their bank reconciliations for department review. Consider approval of Payout for Julie Neumann Motion to approve the presented payout for Julie Neumann in the amount of $151.38 by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Discussion on employee per diem policy The Board had discussion regarding the Assessor’s meeting last week where it was requested to increase the per diem policy for employees. The Board felt that the current policy was sufficient for covering expenses incurred while employees are traveling for work and chose to take no action. Discussion on FY27 salaries Auditor Reffett requested the Board to discuss where they would like to see salaries be for FY27 in order to move forward with the budget process. Smith and Rife requested to see a scenario with a 2% increase for all county employees except the attorney who they wished to see at $120,000. Wilkerson requested to see a $5,000 increase for the Sheriff and $.50 per hour for all other county employees. Reffett agreed to work on the scenarios and bring them back next week for the Boards review. FY27 Budget Discussion The Board reviewed the final budget changes that were requested from the February 3rd budget meeting for the conservation department. They were requested to reduce their total budget by $27,000 and returned their budget with the requested cuts. Action to set public hearing for proposed property tax for FY2027 budget Motion to set public hearing for March 26th at 9:00 AM by Rife, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Comments Marilyn Mentzer – Comments on TCE Brad Doyle – Comments on employee training Stephanie Blackford – Comments on the county compensation board David Sherer – Comments on Board of Health structure Shelia Phillips – Comments on budgets and salaries 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 February 12, 2026 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order at 1:00pm in the Harrison County Boardroom with member Rebecca Wilkerson in attendance. Motion to approve the tentative agenda was made by Wilkerson, second by Rife. Motion carried. Attendance: Deputy Auditor Taryn Wegner, Sarah Delanty, John Rasmussen Exempt session Member Wilkerson made a motion to enter into exempt session pursuant to Iowa Code section 20.17 (3): “Negotiating sessions, strategy meetings of public employers, mediation, and the deliberative process of arbitrators shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 21.”, second by Rife. Wilkerson Aye, Rife Aye. Discussion continued in exempt session. The Board moved back to open session. Motion by Wilkerson, second by Rife. Motion carried. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Wilkerson, second by Rife. Motion carried. ATTEST: Taryn Wegner, Deputy Auditor Brian Rife, Chairman HCTR 2-25-26
