Supervisors approve voting rights for new Emergency Management Coordinator, along with resolution for noxious weeds removal

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 13 to discuss several items including bids for repairs on Waterville Road, the Business Property Tax Credit and the destruction of noxious weeds. There were no members of the community present during the public comment portion of the meeting.

During that public comment time, however, Allamakee County Assessor Ann Burckart introduced Jerad Winger, who was recently hired as an Appraiser in the Assessor's office. Winger provided some background information regarding his experience. He is a graduate of Decorah High School and Iowa State University, where he earned a degree in Accounting. He has worked for several companies in his career and continues to hold an evening supervisor position with UPS in Decorah in addition to his responsibilities as Appraiser with Allamakee County.

The first regular business agenda item involved the consideration of appointing Corey Snitker, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator, as an alternate voter on behalf of the Board of Supervisors for the Northeast Iowa Response Group. The Supervisors approved giving Snitker voting rights with the organization. Snitker advised that the meeting minutes would need to be forwarded to the Northeast Iowa Response Group for his voting rights with the group to begin, and Snitker will be providing updates on the agendas and developments with that group to the Supervisors.

The Business Property Tax Credit was the next item for discussion. Denise Beyer, Allamakee County Auditor, provided a list of tax credits to the Supervisors, explaining that business owners apply at the Assessor's office. The Supervisors approved the Business Property Tax Credit.

The Fiscal Year 2015 Certification of Cost Allocation Plan from Cost Advisory Services was discussed. Beyer explained that Cost Advisory Services does an analysis of the indirect costs allowed to be reimbursed back to the County, stating that Allamakee should be reimbursed approximately $6,000 quarterly, which will be deposited into the General Fund. The Supervisors approved the cost allocation plan.

The Resolution for Destruction of Noxious Weeds was approved with little discussion beforehand. This resolution requires any person in control of land in Allamakee County to properly destroy all noxious weeds by the July 15 deadline. The ordinance, including a list of primary and secondary noxious weeds, will be published in the county newspapers.
Bids for the bridge deck repair on Waterville Road over Paint Creek was the next agenda item discussed by the Supervisors. Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour presented the Supervisors with the sealed bids, which Supervisor Dan Byrnes opened individually and read aloud. Each contractor provided a base bid and a bid including alternates which included additional work on the bridge project.

Cramer and Associates, Inc. provided a base bid of $146,128 and total bid with alternates of $189,659.50. Wicks Construction provided a base bid of $111,442.50 and total bid with alternates at $166,789.50. Ridenour advised that he would look over the bids and provide a recommendation at the Board's next meeting.

Ridenour also spoke to the Board during the meeting's Department Head update portion, advising that he has received eight requests for dust control from rural residents. He also said there are currently two contractors hauling rock for the County, and he commented that maintainers are out on County gravel roads in an effort to fix washed out areas.

In an update on the Wexford Bridge project, Ridenour shared that the deck of the bridge will be milled off and new overlay will be placed.

Beyer presented the Supervisors the canvass report for the June 7 Primary Election. At the county level, Supervisor Byrnes moved that there were no candidates for the Democratic Party and to declare Republican candidates Dennis Koenig for Supervisor, Denise Beyer for Auditor and Clark Mellick for Sheriff as nominated for the general election. The motion was approved.