Supervisors address personnel matters relating to the County Auditor’s office, among other matters at Dec. 27 meeting

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday, December 27 to address a short agenda of matters following the Monday, December 26 closure of the County Courthouse in observance of the Christmas holiday, with Monday being the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting date.

Chairperson Larry Schellhammer called the meeting to order with Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Mark Reiser in attendance. There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that agenda item.

County Auditor Denise Beyer addressed the next agenda item relating to personnel matters in the County Auditor’s office. Beyer provided a recommendation to move 1st Deputy Auditor Janel Eglseder’s salary from 78 percent to 80 percent of the County Auditor’s salary effective January 1, 2023. That recommendation was approved by the Supervisors. Beyer next made a recommendation to hire Lori Cahoon as Accounts Payable Clerk effective December 27, 2022 at $17.50 per hour with the Supervisors approving that recommendation.

Under Department Head Updates, County Engineer Brian Ridenour discussed the maintenance of roads over the Christmas holiday weekend with snow being a factor. Ridenour noted that a pipe froze and began leaking in the basement of the building housing the County Engineer’s office with that issue being discovered earlier the same morning as the December 27 Supervisors meeting. Ridenour advised that there is some water in the basement of that County building with some damage relating to drywall, ceiling tiles and insulation that will need to be addressed. Ridenour further noted that the damage and amount of water in the basement was minor with the water pipe repair being performed by a local contractor with water service soon to be turned back on. Ridenour noted clean up work to be performed to avoid mold or other issues. Ridenour briefly discussed the County’s insurance coverage, insurance deductible and budgeting in relation to the repairs to be performed following this water damage.

Prior to adjournment, Beyer noted that valuations were submitted to the State of Iowa prior to the Christmas holiday. Beyer advised that the County Auditor’s office is fully staffed with the accounts payable clerk position being filled with the hiring of Cahoon. Beyer noted that there will be several opportunities for Cahoon to work with Kelly Urell, providing a smooth transition of accounts payable responsibilities, prior to Urell’s transfer to the County Recorder’s office. At the December 19 Supervisors meeting, the hiring of Urell as Second Deputy Recorder with a start date of January 1, 2023 was approved.

Following adjournment, Beyer noted that the oath of office for Supervisor-elect Dennis Keatley and Supervisor Dan Byrnes would take place prior to the Tuesday, January 3 Supervisors meeting with Judge John Bauercamper to administer this swearing-in ceremony. The scheduled Supervisors meeting date was moved to that Tuesday date due to the Monday, January 2 closure of the Allamakee County Courthouse in observance of the New Year’s Day holiday, with that holiday taking place over the weekend.