Supervisors approve closure or limited opening of County offices this Thursday in observance of services for Sheriff Deputy John Grampovnik
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, January 31 to address a full agenda of items including the consideration of appointments to the Eastern Iowa Tourism Board, the consideration of hiring a full-time deputy sheriff and to set a date and time for the Resolution approving Fiscal-Year 2023 (FY23) Maximum Property Tax Dollars.
During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development discussed the recent announcement relating to the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) route. Reinke noted that RAGBRAI 2022 taking place July 24-30 will begin in Sergeant Bluff and continue to Ida Grove, Pocahontas, Emmetsburg, Mason City, Charles City and West Union with Lansing as a final stop for this event. Reinke discussed preparations being made in Lansing with Ian Zahren serving as local coordinator and contact for Lansing-related RAGBRAI information at LansingRAGBRAIXLIX@gmail.com. Reinke advised that additional details relating to mid-day and pass-through towns on the RAGBRAI 2022 route are yet to be announced.
The meeting moved into the consideration of setting a date and time for the Public Hearing for the Resolution approving FY23 Maximum Property Tax Dollars. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer provided a recommendation to set this Public Hearing for Monday, February 28 at 9:40 a.m. with Board Chairperson Larry Schellhammer and Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dan Byrnes approving that recommendation.
The Supervisors moved into the consideration of appointments to the Compensation Commission. Following discussion and review of the list of appointees, the Supervisors chose to table the matter until the next Supervisors meeting to allow for additional time to confirm the involvement of a previous Compensation Commission member and potentially fill vacancies still remaining. No action was taken.
Appointments to the Eastern Iowa Tourism Board were the next matter under consideration by the Supervisors. The appointments of Reinke and Executive Director Andy Kelleher of Main Street Lansing were approved.
Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick addressed the next matter relating to the consideration of hiring a full-time deputy sheriff. Mellick advised that this matter relates to a deputy sheriff vacancy resulting from a recent resignation. Mellick provided a recommendation to hire Kevin Reinhardt for this position with a start date of February 13 at 65 percent of the County Sheriff’s salary.
Mellick advised that Reinhardt is retiring from military service and that he has family ties to the area. The Supervisors approved the recommendation to hire Reinhardt as deputy sheriff.
The meeting moved into the consideration of closing the Allamakee County Courthouse offices Thursday, February 3 during the funeral service for Sheriff’s Department Deputy John Grampovnik of Waukon. The Supervisors noted that the funeral service for Grampovnik will take place at 11 a.m. February 3 at Iron Ridge Church in Waukon and further discussed allowing County offices to close or operate with limited staffing between the hours of 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to allow County employees to attend the funeral service.
Schellhammer recommended that the public, if conducting business at the courthouse, contact specific offices prior to traveling to the courthouse during this time frame. Mellick also discussed E911 and Sheriff’s Department staffing for February 3, with the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Department and the Iowa State Patrol providing assistance during this time.
Schellhammer extended condolences to the family of Deputy Sheriff John Grampovnik on behalf of the Board of Supervisors and expressed appreciation for Grampovnik’s years of service to Allamakee County. The Supervisors approved to allow County Courthouse offices to close or operate with limited staffing Thursday, February 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker discussed preparations to take place prior to RAGBRAI and that he will be working with each community along the route. Snitker advised that roads along the route will be inspected as part of this preparation process.
Reinke briefly added that more information relating to RAGBRAI and camping will be made available in the next couple weeks.
Mellick advised that the Sheriff’s Department and law enforcement community are showing support following the passing of Grampovnik with planning for February 3 being in place.
Beyer discussed work relating to County employee health insurance plans including associated figures and calculations.
