Washington County

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026

At 9:00 a.m., Chairperson Jack Seward, Jr. called to order in regular session a meeting of the Washington County Board of Supervisors which took place at Orchard Hill. Items on the agenda included the following: Pledge of Allegiance, approval of agenda, public comment related to agenda items, Proclamation of October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness month, personnel change request – County Attorney, acknowledgement of Dynamic Infrastructure proposal for bridge analysis, Department Head comment, adjourn.
Supervisors Bob Yoder and Stan Stoops were also present. Marcus Fedler was present via Zoom. Richard Young was absent.
Other individuals in attendance included Giovanni Coronel with the Southeast Iowa Union, Andy Norveisas and Shell Feijo with Domestic Violence Intervention Program and Rape Victim Advocacy Program (DVIP/RVAP), Public Health Fiscal Administrator Peggy Wood, Communications Supervisor Cara Sorrells, County Engineer Jacob Thorius, County Attorney Nathan Repp via Zoom, IT Systems Administrator Dustin Flake, and citizen Lynette Iles. Various other individuals listened and/or watched remotely via Zoom.
Yoder led the individuals assembled in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
All motions were passed unanimously unless noted otherwise.
On motion by Stoops, seconded by Yoder, the Board voted to approve the agenda as published.
Lynette Iles addressed the Board during Public Comment period regarding the proposal for Dynamic Infrastructure services, expressing concerns about investments in this technology. Concerns include the cost of the service in the existing economy, citing the relation between poor economy and domestic violence and mental health related issues. Another item of concern is a bill passed by State Legislature that could cost Washington County more than $9.8 million over the next ten years. Iles also noted that AI produced data is only as good as the input, stating this is a lot of money that should be considered Buyer Beware.
Andy Norveisas and Shell Feijo with Domestic Violence Intervention Program and Rape Victim Advocacy Program (DVIP/RVAP) presented information regarding the organization which has assisted 85 Washington County residents in FY26 at $1556.00. On October 9, 2026, Shop for Shelter will be at all Washington County grocery stores from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. where shoppers can donate to DVIP/RVAP. This event results in six months’ worth of goods for victims and survivors. On November 5, 2026, the library will host the Clothesline Project, displaying various shirts made by survivors containing statistics and messages about abuse. The crisis line is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-373-1043. On motion by Seward, seconded by Yoder, the Board proclaimed October 2026 to be designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Proclamation
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October 2026

Whereas, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking affect people of all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds, causing long-term physical, psychological, and emotional harm; and

Whereas, one in three Americans has witnessed an incident of domestic violence; and

Whereas, children who experience domestic violence are at a higher risk for failure in school, mental illness, substance abuse, suicide, and may choose violence as a way to solve problems later in life; and

Whereas, domestic violence in rural communities exists as a hidden, silent, and often unrecognized crime that is often underreported; and

Whereas, through the inspiration, courage, and persistence of victims of domestic violence, their children, and advocates, our communities are learning to recognize the impact of violence in the home and within intimate relationships; and

Whereas, DVIP/RVAP Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Services has worked to end violence in intimate relationships for more than 47 years through the collaborative partnerships of advocates, volunteers, local municipalities, criminal justice, health and human services, faith communities, business leaders, and private citizens; and

Whereas, our community’s achievements should be commended, and we must continue our commitment to respect and support victims of domestic violence and to prevent future violence in our community.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the Washington County Board of Supervisors do hereby proclaim the month of October 2026 to be:

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In Washington County, Iowa, and urge all people to work together to eliminate domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking from our community.
On motion by Yoder, seconded by Stoops, the Board approved and authorized the Chairperson to sign a personnel change request from the County Attorney’s Office for a wage increase for Collections Coordinator Margaret Englert, effective October 14, 2026, from the rate of $26.56 hourly to $30.00 hourly.
County Engineer Jacob Thorius presented information from Dynamic Infrastructure. The company offers virtual assistance in the analysis, maintenance, and quality of existing structures such as bridges and culverts, of which Washington County has 154 such assets, using data and images received from the County Engineer through the national reporting data base. Three years’ worth of information has gone into developing this proposal. Thorius stated this does not diminish the duties of the Engineer’s Office but rather is a tool to assist in the maintenance of these structures. He is not aware of another vendor that specializes in this service and informed the Board that this company began in 2019. The one-year contract cost is $20,300.00 and is a guaranteed price for three years upon the date of the signed agreement. Fedler made a motion to acknowledge the Dynamic Infrastructure Proposal for Washington County, IA, 9.25.26. Yoder seconded the motion.
During Department Head comment time, Thorius gave an update on the culvert repair to Kiwi Avenue. Plans are to be finalized today with quotes being due next Monday. Work is expected to be completed in approximately three weeks.
Supervisor Yoder gave an update on HACAP’s distributions to date. 143 Veterans were housed, 11.8 million pounds of food have been distributed for 2025, 749 preschool slots were available, $5.9 million in heating assistance has been given to 10,308 households. He will also be attending a meeting in Cedar Rapids regarding data centers on Friday, October 9, 2026, and will be sharing the meeting information with the rest of the Board.
At 9:28 a.m. on motion by Stoops, seconded by Yoder, the Board voted to adjourn.

ATTEST: s/ Tamera S. Stewart, Washington County Auditor

Published in The News, Thursday, october 22, 2026 L-206