Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 9:00 A.M. with
Furlong, Shoultz, Dean, Kelly and Watkins present. Chairperson Dean presiding.
On a motion by Shoultz, second by Furlong, the agenda was approved as written. Ayes:
All.
Leslie Everett, 21227 County Road G62, Winfield, IA presented aerial pictures showing
situations in Orono and Pike Townships, west of the Cedar River where he has drainage
concerns. Dean suggested Everett address the issue with County Engineer Keith White.
Furlong stated that the Board usually does not get involved in draining fields as land
owners usually form drainage districts for that purpose. Shoultz would like White to
meet with Everett and come back to the Board with information. Shoultz would also like
Zoning Administrator Jeremy Underwood to investigate Conesville’s issues of overflow
to their sewer system. The Board will review the situation with the County Engineer and
place the item on a future agenda for discussion.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, claims dated January 11, 2010 were approved
in the amount of $344,498.13. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Watkins, second by Furlong, the Chairperson was authorized to sign a
letter to various State legislators opposing the proposed diversion of $50 million annually
from the Road Use Tax Fund to the Iowa State Highway Patrol. Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with County Engineer Keith White regarding the Federal Functional
Classification for Muscatine County. White explained the current classification and the
proposed recommendations. White asked for the resolution to be tabled while he works
out approval at the State level of his proposed recommendation. On a motion by Watkins,
second by Shoultz, the Board tabled a resolution amending the Muscatine Federal
Functional Classification. Ayes: All.
White stated that the Federal Aid Stimulus Project on F70 has been audited and they
commented that the County had an excellent set of construction documentation which
White said is thanks to his staff. White stated that all of the 99 counties were asked to
provide numbers to Homeland Security and FEMA for the December 22
nd
and forward
winter storm events. White stated that Western Iowa was devastated, but that Muscatine
County is eligible for overtime, materials and equipment time which amounts to
approximately $40,000 in materials and $80,000 in overtime and equipment time.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Shoultz, the Board re-appointed Bruce Bryant as the
Muscatine County Weed Commissioner for a one-year term ending December 31, 2010.
Ayes: All.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, January 11, 2010
Page 2
On a motion by Furlong, second by Watkins, the Board re-appointed Heather Shoppa as
the Eastern Iowa Tourism Association representative and Jane Daufeldt as the alternate
for one-year terms ending December 31, 2010. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Watkins, second by Kelly, the Board affirmed an updated list of
Muscatine County Medical Examiners and Deputy Medical Examiners/Medical
Examiner Investigators for terms ending December 31, 2010 as follows: Medical
Examiner Dr. Mark Odell; Deputy Medical Examiners Linda Cooley, M.D., David
Gierlus, D.O., Collette Hostetler, M.D., James Kwirant, M.D., Manasi Nadkarni, M.D.,
Steven Paulsrud, D.O., Hamad Sagha, M.D., Ashley Schmieg, D.O., Matthew Sojka,
M.D., Robert Weis, M.D., and David Wettach, M.D.; Medical Examiner Investigators
Bill Wilson, Thomas Summitt, and Darren Brooke. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Shoultz, the Board re-appointed Dudley Coker to the
Muscatine County Building Board of Appeals for a three-year term ending December 31,
2012. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Shoultz, second by Kelly, the Board re-appointed William Koellner,
Neva Rettig-Baker and Dr. Edgardo Yutangco to the Muscatine County Board of Health
for three year terms ending December 31, 2012. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Watkins, second by Kelly, the Board re-appointed David Jones to the
Muscatine County Conservation Board for a five-year term ending December 31, 2014.
Ayes: All.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Shoultz, the Board re-appointed John Murphy to the
Conesville Benefitted Fire District for a three-year term ending December 31, 2012
subject to appointment by the Louisa County Board of Supervisors. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Shoultz, second by Furlong, the Board approved the Muscatine County
Auditor’s Report of Fees Collected for the quarter ending December 31, 2009 in the
amount of $6,493.32. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Watkins, second by Kelly, the Board approved the Muscatine County
Recorder’s Report of Fees Collected for the quarter ending December 31, 2009 in the
amount of $70,195.29. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Shoultz, the Board approved the Muscatine County
Civil Department’s Report of Fees Collected for the quarter ending December 31, 2009 in
the amount of $35,742.61. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Shoultz, the Board approved the Muscatine County
Treasurer’s Report of Fees Collected for the quarter ending December 31, 2009 in the
amount of $103,688.66. Ayes: All.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, January 11, 2010
Page 3
On a motion by Kelly, second by Watkins, the Board approved the Muscatine County
Treasurer’s Semi Annual Report for July 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Shoultz, second by Kelly, minutes of the Monday, January 4, 2010
regular meeting were approved as written. Ayes: All.
Correspondence:
Shoultz stated that he had a conversation with an individual who was happy that
County Engineer Keith White received recognition from the Iowa State
County Engineers.
Furlong received a complaint on snow removal in his area, but he thought
Secondary Roads had done a very good job with the amount of snow we
had.
Committee Reports:
Kelly attended a Muscatine County Health Association meeting January 6
th
.
Dean attended a Seventh Judicial District meeting January 8
th
.
Shoultz attended a Civil War Memorial Committee meeting January 10
th
.
Discussion was held regarding possible disposition of the Civil War Memorial statue.
Shoultz stated that the committee had met with the Art Center who asked if they could
have the soldier on top of the monument after it is removed. Shoultz stated that the Art
Center would keep it displayed indoors. On a motion by Furlong, second by Kelly, the
Board will donate the soldier from the Civil War Memorial to the Muscatine Art Center
after it is removed. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Shoultz, second by Kelly, the Board approved the December, 2009
payroll claims. Ayes: All.
The Board reviewed the health/dental fund balance as of December 31, 2009.
The Board recessed at 10:01 A.M. and reconvened at 10:08 A.M. to review budget
requests.
Information Services Director Bill Riley reviewed the FY10/11 budget request for the
Information Services department stating that in order to reduce his budget he will replace
backup tapes once every two years and extend server warranties out to 7 years. Riley
stated that he will try to replace 30 desktop stations each year with major users being
replaced every four years.
County Auditor Leslie Soule reviewed the FY10/11 budget request for the Auditor and
Elections stating that she has some additional reductions to the FY09/10 and FY10/11
Auditor budget to achieve an overall 5% reduction. Soule stated that due to this being a
General Election year, she did not feel she could achieve a reduction in the Elections
budget, but she did keep it at 100% with no increase in FY10/11. Soule stated that she
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, January 11, 2010
Page 4
cannot really control election expenses and depending on absentee activity it can be
difficult to predict, but that if she finds she does not need all of the funds, she will not
spend them.
County Treasurer Jerry Coffman reviewed the FY10/11 budget request for the
Treasurer’s Office stating that he could only achieve a 3.7% cut through reductions in
FY09/10 and FY10/11. Coffman stated that he cannot reduce his budget anymore
without the use of furlough days. Coffman suggested the Board look at making further
cuts to the outside agencies and the benefits package, possibly eliminating or reducing the
annuity benefit. Dean stated that reducing the annuity is not a good thing to do in a year
when employees may not be seeing increased wages.
Budget Coordinator Sherry Seright explained the difference between General Basic
(Fund 0001) and General Supplemental (Fund 0002) stating that Fund 0002 pays
benefits, elections, and MUSCOM, but that all salaries and operating expenses for many
of the departments are paid out of Fund 0001. Seright stated that the County can levy
over $3.50 per thousand if a separate notice is published with the proposed budget stating
that the County must increase the levy to fund essential county purposes.
County Recorder Cindy Gray reviewed the FY10/11 budget request for the Recorder’s
Office stating that she reduced her budget through the increase of some revenues and
reducing expenditures in both FY09/10 and FY10/11.
Conservation Director Curt Weiss reviewed the FY10/11 budget request for Conservation
stating that he will be at a 5% cut in the Conservation budget with some reductions to
FY09/10 and FY10/11. Weiss cautioned that the reduction has been achieved through
delaying equipment replacement which could come back to haunt them in future years.
Weiss stated that he is still planning on proceeding with Youth Corps for at least one
more year. Weiss stated that the salary increase is not an increase for next year, but rather
the 2.5% from last year that was not included in the FY09/10 budget, but is already been
given and needs to be included in future budgets. Weiss stated that an Americorps worker
has been a great help, but that the County may lose that person in August as Linn County
is dropping the program. Weiss stated that he has been using $5,000 of REAP money to
fund the County’s share of that person. Weiss stated he may have to use that REAP
money for a part-time person to replace that worker. Weiss pointed out that since Levee
District #17 was reactivated, Conservation now pays $2,800 a year in levee district taxes.
The Board recessed at 11:20 A.M. and reconvened at 1:00 P.M. with Furlong, Shoultz,
Dean, Kelly and Watkins present.
Sheriff Dave White reviewed the FY10/11 budget request for the Sheriff’s Office and Jail
stating that he had to increase the vehicle maintenance on the patrol cars due to driving
them longer, but they have removed one car from the budget. White stated that right now
he does not plan to replace the deputy that retired last week until they get more federal
prisoner revenue. Watkins stated that he would like to cut that position at this time.
White stated that if you take someone out of the mix permanently, overtime will increase.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, January 11, 2010
Page 5
White explained that he is looking at hiring a total of 6 additional people for the new jail
pod, but that they would only be added as prisoner count increases. White stated that
instead of people coming in on weekends to serve jail sentences, they will offer them the
option of participating on a work crew to pick up trash. White feels this will open cells
for federal prisoners and allow an alternative to sitting in jail. White stated that the
County is already realizing savings due to the contract with Advanced Correctional
Healthcare. Dean stated that at some point she would like to have a conversation on
kitchen operations with the new jail pod. White stated that they are going to use more
inmates in the new kitchen. White stated that they will also be able to buy supplies by
the semi load after the new jail pod is completed which should realize some savings.
Medical Examiner Investigator Tom Summitt reviewed the FY10/11 budget request for
Medical Examiner stating that Trinity will no longer use Weland labs and the new lab
will not do autopsies so that we may have to go further for an autopsy possibly even
Ankeny. Summitt will continue to look for closer alternatives.
The Board recessed at 2:25 P.M. and reconvened at 2:30 P.M.
Community Services Director Mike Johannsen, and Case Management Coordinator
Kathie Anderson-Noel reviewed FY10/11 budget requests for General Assistance,
Veterans Affairs and Mental Health stating that they were able to remove over $30,000
from the General Fund by lowering maximum monthly assistance limits in both General
Assistance and Veterans Affairs. Johannsen stated that he plans to amend the Mental
Health Plan to include payment of mental health prescriptions for participants with
Mental Illness rather than through General Assistance. Bill Law, Veterans Affairs
Commission, stated that he is currently trying to get the grave markers and flags funded
through the other Veterans organizations. Law stated that the Commissioners are
currently waiving their $25 per meeting fee and working on a volunteer basis at this time.
Johannsen stated the mental health budget will put the ending balance in the mental
health fund at 3% which will put them into the state pool for allowable growth, but the
current law looks at fund balances from two years ago which were much higher.
Johannsen stated that they are trying to introduce legislation that would look at the most
recent year ending fund balance for the allowable growth formula. Johannsen will
develop a letter for the Board to sign to send to legislators encouraging them to support
the legislation. Human Resources Director Nancy Schreiber stated that the budget still
includes the vacant Case Management position. Anderson-Noel stated that they are not
allowed to have a waiting list for targeted case management.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 P.M.
ATTEST:
______________________________
______________________________
Leslie A. Soule, County Auditor
Esther J. Dean, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors