AGENDA KEEPS SUPERVISORS BUSY

According to the recent record of determination on county budget amendments put forth by the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors, the county has experienced a $232,127 excess of revenues over expenditures.
County Auditor Bill Roe reports the earned income to be gained through a variety of sources, including the current local option sales tax, federal and state grants and interest gained on county investments.
Concerning expenditures, an increase of $142,409 was suffered, with the cause primarily falling to a loan extended toward Allamakee County Economic Development and the Headstart facility. The County assumes complete financial responsibility for maintenance of the Headstart program, funds which will be reimbursed at a later date.
In other matters, a Courthouse Security Committee has been established pending a state ruling passed by the Court Security Task Force, chaired by Chief Judge Gamble of the 5th District.
According to a state-released news brief, the new requirement, designated to ensure a safe courthouse environment, is to be organized by the chairperson of the Board of Supervisors and the chief judge of each corresponding judicial district. Appointed committee members are to include representatives of different courthouse sections, including the sheriff department, court administration, clerk of court and Board of Supervisors.
Active with the courthouse security issue is Carl Christianson, clerk of court, working through the process of choosing personnel to serve with the newly-forming committee.
Melanie Tietz, Department of Human Services, approached the Board concerning a desired increase of space and renovation within the Department’s work area, located on the first floor of the courthouse. Presently, the Board has chosen to investigate alternative locations for the facility. Projected results, regardless of location, are to include an increase of confidentiality due to creation of partitions and the overall increase of usuable office space.
County resident Gary Dahlstrom has been granted a re-zoning request, delegating a portion of his property from commercial to industrial. The zoning change is to occur in a 3.75 acre area, Lots 4 and 5 of the NE of the NE in Sect. 7, Jefferson Township.
The Board discussed a bid-letting pertaining to eleven various secondary road projects throughout the County. The bid includes proposed repair or replacement of existing box culverts on county roadways. Submitted bids were opened, with none being accepted at this point. The Board temporarily tabled a decision on the matter, and set finalization to take place at the June 19 Board meeting.
Bill Schneeberger, former Allamakee County Development chairman, called for the county to examine consulting a professional city and county planning official to assist the Planning and Zoning Commission in the examination of the current zoning ordinance. Specifically, Schneeberger requested the Board to obtain the services of an individual “possessing educational credentials as well as experience.” Currently, Allamakee is undergoing rapid development. The present zoning ordinance, originally developed for Story County, does not provide consideration for Allamakee variables such as pitched ground or natural aesthetics. The Board ruled to further examine the issue.
Other matters included the approval of a Sunday sales license to Sportsman Motel Bar & Grill, and David and Celia Hollman, Monona, requesting the Board to vacate property adjacent to 4th Street in Volney. County Engineer Brian Ridenour and area businessman Ralph Welch addressed dust control throughout the County. Records indicate this year’s treatment of gravel areas to be approximately two weeks behind schedule, primarily due to excessive rainfall.
Central Point of Coordination administrator Jan Heikes addressed the Board concerning CROP contracts linking, according to a submitted report, “the two participating counties of Allamakee and Winneshiek so that the counties may jointly utilize a mental health and developmental disabilities central point of coordination administrator. The proposed contract was approved, with Board member Kathy Campbell possessing signing authority.
In closing, Laurie Moody zoning administrator and sanitarian for Allamakee County Planning and Development, discussed with the Board potential options for a more effective county zoning ordinance, as the present ordinance remains somewhat vague in specifications.