Supervisors approve hiring of Tony Gericke as part-time Assistant County Attorney, hear update on County's self-funded insurance plan

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, November 21 to address a variety of topics. Among those items was an update on the County's partially self-funded health insurance policy, discussion of Human Resource consultant options and a recommendation for the part-time Assistant County Attorney position.

During the Public Comments portion of the meeting, Lansing area resident Doug Mullen addressed the Board with follow-up to his comments from the November 14 meeting regarding the level of Conservation Officer coverage in Allamakee County. Mullen explained that in years past, there were seven to eight Conservation Officers in the four-county area and that number has decreased to just four officers currently. Mullen further explained that with vacations and two days off per week, there are typically two Conservation Officers covering a four-county area, roughly 5,000 square miles. Mullen added that with turkey and deer hunting seasons, there is more recreation currently taking place with fewer Conservation Officers monitoring hunting activities and illegal poaching. He further said that with retirements, these positions have often been relocated elsewhere in the state, and said that within Iowa, Allamakee County is one of the best locations for hunting and fishing, which has a tremendous economic impact for travel and tourism in the local area.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Larry Schellhammer suggested that a letter could be written to Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Chuck Gipp requesting a meeting in person to discuss the issue and present information regarding the coverage of Conservation Officers in Allamakee. Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick added that due to the level of recreation in Allamakee, there is an increase of trespassing complaints during hunting seasons, noting that when a Conservation Officer is not available, the Sheriff's Office responds to these calls.

As the high bidder, Steve Larson's bid of $4,230.00 was approved for the 2009 Ford Explorer that had been offered for public sale. The voiding of outstanding warrants was also approved by the Supervisors. This measure allows checks that are over a year old to be reissued by the County in instances where they may have been lost or misplaced by the payee. There were seven checks on this list totaling $260.75.

Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer discussed options for the County's use of a Human Resource consultant. The current provider's contract has expired but is currently continuing services on a month-to-month basis. This consultant assists the County with various human resource requirements including Fair Labor Standards and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The Supervisors agreed that it may be sufficient to keep this provider on retainer rather than requiring a monthly on-site meeting. Beyer plans to research this topic and provide two or three options for comparison before the Supervisors make a final decision on this matter.

Group and Individual Health/Benefit Consultant Brian Huinker with Midwest Group Benefits provided an update on the County's partially self-funded insurance policy. Several members of the County's Health Insurance Committee were in attendance, including Scott Willger of the Secondary Roads Department, Payroll Clerk Janel Eglseder, Solid Waste Manager Dave Mooney and Jenny O'Neill with the County Treasurer's Office. Huinker described the County's policy as being in good condition with claims staying low. He advised that the County's group plan will likely be seeing additional enrollees with the new calendar year due to increased rates with individual plans in the health insurance marketplace. Huinker discussed some of the trends and changes taking place in the insurance industry, noting that he will be meeting with the Supervisors after the beginning of the new calendar year to discuss the County's group plan and assist with budget planning related to the County's health insurance plan.

Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler provided her recommendation for the part-time Assistant County Attorney position that is vacant following the retirement of Attorney Richard White. Kistler's recommendation is Attorney Tony Gericke of Postville, who brings with him seven years of experience as a defense attorney in Allamakee County. The Supervisors approved the hiring of Gericke as the part-time Assistant County Attorney at $44,000 per year with a start date of December 1.

Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour briefly mentioned the bids that were rejected at the last meeting for the English Bench and Little Paint Watershed repairs. As a result, Ridenour has prioritized projects and work on select projects is ongoing. Ridenour explained that work with excavators and backhoes continues in the repair of dirt and rock slides from the flood events in August and September. He said sand has been hauled in for the winter road conditions that are to be expected in the coming weeks.
Ridenour also discussed the former Innovative Ag property that was purchased at auction last summer by Sweeney Investments, noting that this one-and-a-half acre property has seen improvement with repairs to buildings. Ridenour presented this information to see if the Supervisors have thoughts on its possible use for the County.

Ridenour also confirmed that following the meeting Monday, November 28 that he will join the Supervisors in visiting northern Allamakee County flood damage areas and ongoing projects.
Allamakee County Planning and Zoning Administrator Tom Blake presented a report covering the unincorporated areas within the County. Blake suggested that by year's end, there may be over $8,000,000 in new development in total. Blake indicated that his report does not cover farm construction, as this is exempt and does not get reported to his office.

Allamakee County Coordinator of Disability Services Kim Waters provided an update on the County Social Services (CSS) Board Meeting agenda for the meeting that will take place Wednesday, November 23. Waters discussed that the Fair Labor Standards Act will require all salaried employees below $47,476.00 to be converted to hourly employees, qualifying them for overtime pay. She also explained that it has been suggested that CSS employees close to that pay threshold will be raised to that level to eliminate overtime compensation. Waters said that a review of regional salaries has shown some pay disparity for bachelor degree-level care coordinators, explaining that it has been recommended that a base salary of $18 per hour should be established for all case managers.

Beyer advised that open Board positions will be advertised including openings on the Board of Health, Waste Management Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. In addition, the vacancy on the Allamakee County Compensation Commission will be advertised. This Commission addresses property values and condemnations.