Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, February 25, 2013
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 7:00 P.M. with
Furlong, Howard, Sorensen, Sauer and Kelly present. Chairperson Sorensen presiding.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the agenda was approved as written. Ayes:
All.
A Public Hearing was called to order by Chairperson Sorensen at 7:01 P.M. for the
purpose of instituting proceedings and taking action to enter into a loan agreement in a
principal amount not to exceed $750,000 for the purpose of financing improvements and
repairs to County buildings, including roof and sidewalk replacements, construction of a
handicapped accessibility ramp and elevator repairs. No one spoke for or against the loan
agreement. On a motion by Furlong, second by Howard, the public hearing was closed at
7:04 P.M. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the Board approved Resolution #02-25-12-01
Authorizing a Loan Agreement in an amount not to exceed $750,000 and Providing for a
Debt Service Tax Levy. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
Vic Amoroso, A & J Associates, presented bids for Phase 2 of the Old Jail HVAC Project
as follows: JL Brady – Base Bid - $1,064,743, Alternate 1 - $180,115, Alternate 2 -
$5,929, Alternate 3 - $18,716, Alternate 4 - $74,451, Alternate 5 - $27,665 and Alternate
6 - $37,000; and Hometown Plumbing and Heating – Base Bid - $1,218,000, Alternate 1
- $169,700, Alternate 2 - $5,875, Alternate 3 - $14,150, Alternate 4 - $119,500, Alternate
5 - $57,700 and Alternate 6 - $33,920. Amoroso suggested including Alternates 1 and 2
which are controls for the HVAC in the Old Jail Building and Old Boiler Building.
Amoroso suggested waiting until the bids are received in the next few weeks on other
projects in order to determine how much funding is available for the other alternates. On
a motion by Furlong, second by Sauer, action on this item was tabled for two weeks.
Ayes: All.
Friends of the Old Barn representative John Haskins and Muscatine Branching Out
representative Dave Cooney, 1403 Logan Street, requested the Board’s acceptance of a
Branching Out Grant Application in the amount of $2,090 (including a $1010 match that
has already been raised) for the planting of shade and fruit trees next to the Old Barn. On
a motion by Furlong, second by Kelly, the Board accepted a Branching Out Grant
Application for Friends of the Old Barn. Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with County Engineer Keith White regarding the possible purchase
of three replacement motor graders. White stated that the current price for a CAT140M2
is $264,517. White proposed purchasing one motor grader in this fiscal year, one motor
grader in FY13/14 and another one in FY14/15. White stated he would trade-in a 2006
140H that would yield a $108,000, a 2006 140H that would yield $115,000 and a 2004
140H model that would yield $100,000 trade-in towards the motor graders purchased.
Muscatine county Board of Supervisors
Monday, February 25, 2013
Page 2
On motion by Howard, second by Furlong, the Board authorized the purchase of a
replacement motor grader in this fiscal year at a post trade-in cost of $156,517, another
motor grader in FY13/14 at a post trade-in cost of $149,517 and another motor grader in
FY14/15 at a post trade-in cost of $164,517. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sorensen, the Board approved the hiring of Kristy Cox
as Office Manager at $33,810 annually (Grade 9, Step 8) for the Secondary Roads
Office. Ayes: All.
White provided the Board with information regarding the effects of an increase to the gas
tax on Muscatine County and information regarding taxation for Secondary Roads as
defined by the Code of Iowa.
Discussion was held regarding Muscatine County Administration Building Structural and
Exterior Repairs to the Muscatine County Administration Building Project Change Order
#4. Budget Coordinator Sherry Seright stated that the Change Order includes an addition
of $6,240 for repairs of the decking on the roof, a reduction of $3,450 for roofing caps
and a reduction of $25,000 for the contingency funding not needed. On a motion by
Furlong, second by Howard, the Board approved Muscatine County Administration
Building Structural and Exterior Repairs Project Change Order #4 in the amount of -
$22,210.00 for a total project cost of $452,599.00. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the Chair was authorized to sign a Certificate
of Substantial Completion for the Muscatine County Administration Building Structural
and Exterior Repairs Project. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Howard, minutes of the Monday, February 18, 2013
regular meeting were approved as amended. Ayes: All.
Correspondence:
Sorensen received a letter from a citizen commending a deputy for taking the time
to pull over an individual with iced over windows and encouraging them
to clear their windows before proceeding.
Howard received a citizen complaint regarding the County paying $2,500 more
for trucks.
Howard provided explanation to a citizen of a proposed increase to the gas tax.
Committee Reports:
Furlong attended a Muscatine County Veterans Affairs Commission meeting
February 25
th
.
Sauer attended a Riverbend Transit meeting February 20
th
.
Sauer and Kelly attended the Muscatine County Compensation Board meeting
February 20
th
.
Discussion was held regarding the Muscatine County Compensation Board FY13/14
salary recommendations for elected officials and deputies. Muscatine County
Muscatine county Board of Supervisors
Monday, February 25, 2013
Page 3
Compensation Board Chairperson Eric Vela presented the Compensation Board
recommendation of 3.5% increases for the Supervisors, Auditor, Attorney, Recorder,
Sheriff and Treasurer. Vela stated that the Board would like the Supervisors to attend the
meeting in the future. Vela stated that workload has increased in all of the offices
resulting in the recommended increase of 3.5%. Furlong stated the Compensation Board
was set up to take politics out of the elected officials salaries and that several years ago
the Board was encouraged not to attend because the Compensation Board felt that the
Board of Supervisors were trying to influence how much the increase should be, but he
will attend in the future because that is what this Compensation Board has requested.
Vela stated that all of the Compensation Board members did extensive research and due
diligence to come up with a recommendation and they would like the Board of
Supervisors to give their recommendation more consideration. Kelly stated she agrees
that the Compensation Board did do due diligence this year and she appreciates
everything that they do. Vela stated the Supervisors need an increase this year to offset all
of the years that they received no increase. Furlong stated that the Supervisors are ranked
81
st
because they have the Administration Department which has reduced some of their
time commitment. Howard stated he would not want to attend the Compensation Board
meetings and discourage them and make their deliberations more difficult. Howard stated
he does not feel that the staff that remained after the staffing cuts would not be able to
handle that job. Howard stated that there was discussion that there might be a waiting line
occasionally so the residents might not be happy, but the idea of additional work placed
on those staff was not a concern, does not exist, and everything has worked out fine.
Howard stated he appreciates the Compensation Board’s work, but now the Supervisors
have to decide if it fits the Budget. Howard stated that in the future he would like to see
the recommendation before the Board begins budget deliberations. Sorensen stated that
the Board budgeted 2.5% and he searched the data to attempt to determine what drove the
Compensation Board to recommend twice the rate of inflation at 3.5%. Sauer stated that
he did some of his own research of other skilled trades and teacher unions and only found
one incident on a three year contract that had a 3% increase, while the majority of
increases were between 1.5% and 2.5%, with a 1.2% Consumer Price Index and so he
would recommend a 2.5% increase across the Board. Furlong stated he believes the
Consumer Price Index is 1.7%. On a motion by Furlong, second by Kelly, the Board
reduced the Muscatine County Compensation Board FY13/14 salary recommendations
for elected officials by 20% resulting in a 2.8% increase for the Supervisors, Attorney,
Auditor, Recorder, Sheriff and Treasurer. Ayes: Furlong, Kelly and Sorensen. Nays:
Howard and Sauer.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Howard, the Board approved Resolution #02-25-13-02
Adopting the Revised Articles of Agreement of the Bi-State Regional Commission. Roll
call vote: Ayes: All.
Administrative Services Director Nancy Schreiber requested direction regarding a letter
of Muscatine Area comments on SO2 EPA Recommendation to be sent to the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources that was drafted by Bi-State Regional Commission.
Board consensus was to allow the Chair to sign the letter.
Muscatine county Board of Supervisors
Monday, February 25, 2013
Page 4
The Board recessed at 8:50 P.M. and reconvened at 8:56 P.M.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Howard, the Board went into closed session at 8:56
P.M. pursuant to Chapter 21.5(c), Code of Iowa, to discuss strategy with counsel in
matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent. Roll call vote:
Ayes: All. On a motion by Kelly, second by Howard, the Board returned to open session
at 9:17 P.M. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:17 P.M.
ATTEST:
___________________________
______________________________
Leslie A. Soule, County Auditor
Jeff Sorensen, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, March 4, 2013
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 9:00 A.M. with
Furlong, Howard, Sorensen, Sauer and Kelly present. Chairperson Sorensen presiding.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong the agenda was approved as written. Ayes:
All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Howard, claims dated March 4, 2013 were approved in
the amount of $423,564.60. Ayes: All.
The Board reviewed the following bids presented by Steve Nowak, MMS Consultants
Inc., for the 2013 Courthouse Landscape and Accessibility Project: All American
Concrete, Inc. – Base Bid $185,023.00, Alternate 1 - $37,154.00 and Alternate 2 -
$43,100.00; Heuer – Base Bid - $246,797.25, Alternate 1 - $71,212.00 and Alternate 2 –
($900.00); and Hy Brand - $ Base Bid - $186,625.80, Alternate 1 - $38,566.20 and
Alternate 2 - $43,680.00. Nowak stated that Alternate 1 is decorative concrete pavers in
the plaza areas and Alternate 2 is Indiana Limestone or cast stone veneered columns
rather than the concrete columns. Budget Coordinator Sherry Seright stated she will have
information regarding the funding available next week.
The presentation on July 1, 2013 health and dental insurance renewals was postponed and
will be rescheduled for a future meeting.
On a motion by Howard, second by Sauer, minutes of the Monday, February 25, 2013
regular meeting were approved as written. Ayes: All.
No correspondence was noted.
Committee Reports:
Sorensen and Kelly attended a Bi-State Regional meeting February 27
th
.
Howard attended an Emergency Management Board meeting February 28
th
.
Furlong attended a West Liberty Economic Area Development meeting February
27
th
.
All Supervisors attended a Muscatine County Conference Board meeting
February 27
th
.
Furlong, Sorensen and Sauer attended a Muscatine County Farm Bureau meeting
February 28
th
.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the Board approved Resolution #03-01-13-01
Transferring $30,000 from the General Basic Fund to the GIS Fund. Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: All.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, March 4, 2013
Page 2
On a motion by Kelly, second by Howard, the Board approved Resolution #03-01-13-02
Transferring $30,000 from the Rural Services Fund to the GIS Fund. Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: All.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Kelly, the Board accepted the February, 2013 payroll
claims. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the Board approved an education reimbursement
request. Ayes: All.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 A.M.
ATTEST:
____________________________
___________________________
Leslie A. Soule, County Auditor
Jeff Sorensen, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, March 4, 2013 – Special Session
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in special session at 7:00 P.M. with
Furlong, Howard, Sorensen, Sauer, and Kelly present. Chairperson Sorensen presiding.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the agenda was approved as written. Ayes:
All.
A Public Hearing was called to order by Chairperson Sorensen at 7:02 P.M. on the
proposed Fiscal Year 2013/14 Muscatine County Budget. No one spoke for or against
the proposed Fiscal Year 2013/14 Muscatine County Budget. Budget Coordinator Sherry
Seright stated the proposed budget holds the General Basic levy at $3.50, holds the
General Supplemental levy at $2.62, reduces the MH-DD levy to $1.13, increases the
Debt Service levy to $0.45 and holds the Rural Services levy at $2.54 resulting in an
overall decrease in the total levy of 3 cents. Seright stated that budgeted expenditures are
down 17% and revenues are down 14%. Seright stated that General Fund balances are
scheduled to be between 22% and 23%. Seright noted that the FY2013/14 budget
transfers $100,000 to the Building Maintenance Fund for a balance of $250,000 as of
June 30, 2014 and transfers $150,000 to the Debt Repayment Fund for a balance of
$500,000 as of June 30, 2014. Kelly showed appreciation for the hard work of the staff
putting a budget together that allowed them to reduce taxes by 3 cents per thousand.
Furlong also showed appreciation for the work of the elected officials and department
heads. On a motion by Furlong, second by Kelly, the public hearing was closed at 7:05
P.M. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the Board approved Resolution #03-04-13-03
Adopting the Fiscal Year 2013/14 County Budget. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
A Public Hearing was called to order by Chairperson Sorensen at 7:06 P.M. on proposed
Fiscal Year 2012/13 Muscatine County Budget Amendments. No one spoke for or
against the proposed budget amendments. Budget Coordinator Sherry Seright reviewed
the proposed amendments with the Board. On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the
public hearing was closed at 7:13 P.M. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Howard, the Board approved Resolution #03-04-13-
04 Amending the Fiscal Year 2012/13 Muscatine County Budget. Roll call vote: Ayes:
All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the Board approved Resolution #03-04-13-05
Fiscal Year 2012/13 Muscatine County Budget Appropriations. Roll call vote: Ayes:
All.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 P.M.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, March 4, 2013 – Special Session
Page 2
ATTEST:
_______________________________
___________________________
Leslie A. Soule, County Auditor Jeff Sorensen, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors