Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met Monday, March 7

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met Monday, March 7 in a regular meeting. Among the items on the agenda which received the most discussion were a request by the E-911 board to have two new towers built, an update from Rick Zahasky on Union negotiations, and the public hearing for the FY06 Budget.

Jean Carroll, Jeff Mitchell, and other E-911 board members were present to ask the board for permission to put up new radio towers at the Churchtown and Waterville county sheds, and to add equipment to the towers at the courthouse and county home. Mitchell stated that the reason for this new equipment would be to help enhance the radio system for the fire departments and EMS. He also noted that the towers that will be constructed at the county sheds would be self-supporting, not using cables.

There was some concern with County Engineer Brian Ridenour as to if the towers would for sure be self supporting, as there is some space issues at the county sheds. Mitchell stated that they are in the process of writing the specifications, and that it could be written in that they will be self-supporting. The board approved the radio tower locations and use of the courthouse and county home towers, as long as the E-911 Board would coordinate the tower locations with the county engineer. The project would be paid for through the E-911 budget.

UNION NEGOTIATIONS

Rick Zahasky addressed the board concerning union negotiations for the sheriff and secondary road departments. The only open item was health insurance, and there is a request from the union that the amount contributed to them by the county be increased. After much discussion on the amount of increase being asked, and what the board was willing to give, Zahasky noted that if the board does nothing, it will more than likely go to arbitration.

Supervisor Bill Clark noted that the ideal thing would to be to find a compromise to make both sides happy. Board chair Kathy Campbell stated that because the premium increase for this year is so low, 4.22%, it was hard for her to justify a big increase, as opposed to years when the premium increase is as high as 18-25%. There was also discussion as to how the county would fare if this matter did go to arbitration. There was no absolute decision made, and the supervisors asked Zahasky to go back and find out what might be the lowest contribution rate accepted by the union.

BUDGET HEARING

A public hearing on the FY06 budget was held at 10 a.m. Various department heads and citizens were present for the hearing. Auditor Mary O'Neill began the hearing by explaining two of the larger increases in the budget. She cited that the T.A.S.C. and NICC (Northeast Iowa Community College) projects were figured into the County Environment and Education item, and that the cost of new election equipment that will be state certified was included in the area of Government Services to Residents.

Doug Mullen of Lansing was present with a few concerns, including the paving of Lafayette Ridge Road and the NICC satellite center project. Regarding Lafayette Ridge Road, Mullen wanted to know where the funds were coming from for the paving project. County Engineer Ridenour explained that part of the paving project is being paid for by local dollars, and the rest is a farm-to-market route which will be paid for by fuel tax dollars.

In regard to the NICC center, Mullen expressed concerns with an idea that was offered for a contribution possibility at the February 28 meeting, which was having the county complete the road and utility infrastructure at the center. Mullen stated that he thought the county engineer should be working on secondary roads, and that the issue should be decided separately. Supervisor chair Campbell noted that the county was simply looking at options for the county's contribution to the center when they suggested that.

Dan Cole was also present with questions on some of the areas where budget line items increased dramatically. Most of the increases were due to personnel changes, whether it was adding a new position or re-classifying an employee. In the case of the re-classified employee, the funds would be shifted from one area to another. Also, the CBGB Grant for T.A.S.C. caused a large increase in one area. After the discussion, the FY06 Budget was approved.

These other agenda items were approved by the board as well: liquor license for the Old Rossville Store, the first judicial FY04 report, a resolution for economic development, and a 28E agreement between the Iowa Department of Corrections and Allamakee County for Luster Heights. Ridenour did comment that there had been some changes in wording on the 28E agreement section regarding financial responsibility of emergency travel charges. Ridenour also noted that the policy has been completely re-done from the old one, making it clearer.

Jean Carroll, E-911; John Kurt, Custodial; Deb Winke, Recorder; Jan Heikes, CPC; Sue Spilde, Case Management; Brian Ridenour, Secondary Roads; and Mary O'Neill, Auditor; were all present for the department heads meeting. Carroll informed the board that they are updating the 911 equipment from DOS to Windows. Kurt announced that the doors for the first floor were delivered and will be installed soon.

Winke stated that documents from the Recorder's office from 2004 to March 1, 2005 are now online. The indexes are available free of charge, but there will be a cost to view the actual document. Heikes informed the board that their biggest thing has been dealing with the mental health center. Spilde explained to the board that there had been 13 promising applicants for the GIS position. She also noted that their website has been releasing GIS information to the public and there is currently no charge.

Ridenour said that they have applicants for the survey party chief, and their main concerns have been keeping secondary roads maintained. O'Neill concluded the meeting by stating that the auditors were at the courthouse, and she was also working on planning an open house to celebrate County Government Week, April 11-15.