Supervisors hear that County is "in good financial shape" during review of annual audit

by Bob Beach

During public comment time at the regular meeting of the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, March 18, Allamakee County Protectors representative Jack Knight said that he has reviewed the final draft of the proposed ordinance to regulate frac sand mining in the County and encourages the Board to support its adoption.
Supervisor Dennis Koenig said that he had attended the Planning and Zoning Commission's meeting Monday, March 17, during which the proposed ordinance was discussed. He said that the meeting was well attended and went well, adding that the Commission and Zoning Administrator Tom Blake have done a good job and have put in a lot of work in developing the ordinance. Blake said that those attending the Commission's meeting Monday were generally supportive of the proposed ordinance and that the Commission would conduct a formal public hearing during its regular meeting next month.
The Board also met with Head Custodian Mike Gallagher, who presented the Board with a proposal to install new or updated air conditioning units in the courthouse. Gallagher said the units would serve the E911 office, inmate cells in the jail and the magistrate's courtroom. The Board approved the bid of $34,792 offered by Vick's Plumbing of Decorah, which Gallagher said does not include a $3,600 rebate. Supervisor Dennis Koening voted against the proposal, saying that the areas served by the new units have gone without air conditioning units for a long time and could continue to do so.
The Board also met with Neil Schraeder of Hacker and Nelson, who reviewed the results of the firm's recent audit of the County's finances and bookkeeping. He said that the County is in good financial shape and is carrying very little debt. He said that the only fund that concerns him is the Secondary Roads fund, which ran a deficit for the year due to flooding over the summer and an unusually harsh winter. He added that the Secondary Roads fund would likely continue to be an area of concern until the state raises the fuel tax in order to provide additional funding for road projects. Schraeder said that the only debt the County currently has is in accrued employee paid time off valued at $221,000 and that the County has a total debt limit of $62 million. He noted no significant problems with the County's accounting practices.
In other business, the Board approved the final payment voucher for the Bear Creek Drive paving project, which was completed last summer, as well as a resolution imposing weight limits on County asphalt roads, which will go into effect upon the posting of signs. The Board also approved a fireworks permit for J&M Displays at the annual New Albin Days celebration scheduled for June 14 this year and appointed Dennis Koenig to the County Conservation Board.