Supervisors approve signing watershed inspection reports and providing letters of support for Community Action agencies in Iowa and application by Friends of Yellow River State Forest regarding International Dark Sky initiative

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 30 to address a full agenda of matters including the review and signing of watershed inspection reports, the discussion and consideration of signing a letter in support of Iowa’s Community Action Agencies, and discussion of the proposed Local Workforce Development Area merger. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Tom Clark and Dennis Keatley present.

During Public Comment, County Auditor Denise Beyer noted that the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) from the Federal government was received in the amount of $22,504. Byrnes clarified that this amount was received as an annual payment in place of property taxes for Effigy Mounds National Monument, a non-taxable Federal land.

The meeting moved into the notification of an electronically filed Manure Management Plan (MMP)for Chestnut Farm Site 2. Byrnes noted that this is a notification to the public that an MMP has been submitted to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Byrnes further noted that the County Auditor’s office may be contacted relating to questions about viewing this plan online on the DNR website.

Beyer addressed the next matter relating to the consideration of a change to the accounts payable claim cycle date from August 11 to August 4. Beyer explained that both First Deputy Auditor Janel Eglseder and Second Deputy Auditor Lori Cahoon will be absent for a portion of the August 11 work week due to a required election-related training. Beyer discussed a request to change the accounts payable claim cycle date to August 4 to allow claims to be completed prior to that absence. The Supervisors approved the change to the accounts payable claim cycle date.

The meeting moved into the consideration of the health insurance rebate check to the General Supplemental Fund to offset premiums. Following a brief discussion by Beyer and the Supervisors, it was agreed to take no action at this time with the matter to be addressed at the next Supervisors meeting.

The Supervisors reviewed an application relating to the appointment of a Veterans Affairs Commissioner. The appointment of Patrick Cota to a three-year term was approved.

The meeting moved into the review and signing of watershed inspection reports. Byrnes made note of recent watershed inspections and trainings attended by the Supervisors and that a work session will be scheduled to include representatives of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and County Engineer Brian Ridenour. Byrnes advised that work session topics will include landowner responsibilities and determining which county or NRCS representatives will be approaching landowners to discuss these matters. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved to sign the watershed inspection reports.

The Supervisors next addressed the discussion and consideration of signing a letter in support of Iowa’s Community Action Agencies. Byrnes discussed an invitation to sign and be included in a letter of support for Community Action Agencies that aims to keep funding from being decreased or included in proposed budget cuts at the state level. Byrnes explained that proposed budget cuts relating to the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), a funding source relied upon by Community Action Agencies across the state, would negatively impact agencies that serve over 258,000 low-income Iowans, with the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) being an area of proposed cuts.

Byrnes noted that CEO Trisha Wilkins of Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) will be submitting a Letter to the Editor to the newspaper to provide further clarification on the situation and need. Byrnes further noted that the NEICAC Board is a bipartisan 22-person board consisting of a cross section of individuals including public, private and low-income representation. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved to join in the letter in support of these agencies and to authorize Beyer to sign this letter.

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