PROCEEDINGS OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025
At 10:30 a.m., Chairperson Richard Young 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, Resolution 25-07 Acceptance and Approval on Final Plat for Timberline Estates Part III Subdivision, Resolution 25-08 Acceptance and Approval of ROW Dedication for 135th Street for Timberline Estates Part III, proclamation of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, ground lease and tower purchase for Wellman Co-Operative Telephone Association, approval of letter of support for East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund for purpose of assistance and downpayments and rehabilitation for first time home buyers, secondary road use request for Kalona Horseshoe gravel bike race, personnel change request – Washington County Rescue, Ambulance Services – quarterly report, Recorder Office – quarterly report, Auditor Office – quarterly report, Department Head comment, adjourn.
Supervisors Bob Yoder, Jack Seward Jr., and Marcus Fedler were also present. Stan Stoops was absent.
Other individuals in attendance included Kalen McCain with the SE Iowa Union, County Attorney Nathan Repp, Communications Supervisor Cara Sorrells, Outreach Director Joe Williams, Chief Deputy Sheriff Shawn Ellingson, Ambulance Director Jordan Wright, County Recorder Teresa Mangold, Alicia Parker with Domestic Violence Intervention & Rape Victim Advocacy Programs (DVIP & RVAP), Attorney Joe Moreland, Scott Ritter with Hart-Frederick Consultants, citizens Todd Hahn, Debbie Hahn, Larry Simon, Barb Simon, and Rob McCain. Various other individuals listened and/or watched remotely via Zoom.
Young led the individuals assembled in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
All motions were passed unanimously unless noted otherwise.
On motion by Yoder, seconded by Seward, the Board voted to approve the agenda as published.
During public comment, via Zoom, Deanna Thomann urged the Board to protect the tree line associated with approval of Timberline Estates Part III, informing them of her family’s attachment and the sentimental value of the trees. Dana Thomann also commented via Zoom, echoing Deanna’s statements and stating the need to remain good neighbors.
On motion by Fedler, seconded by Seward, the Board voted to approve, and authorize the Chairperson to sign, Resolution 25-07 Acceptance and Approval of Final Plat for Timberline Estates Part III Subdivision. Seward and Young both noted they visited the site at separate times to observe the area in question regarding water run-off. The subdivider and neighbor have come to an agreement to resolve the potential water issues. Hahn stated that there are culverts in place to divert excess water and field tiles will be buried to remedy future problems.
Dana Thomann and Mary Ann Parton attempted to comment via Zoom, however public comments were not allowed at this time.
The Board then discussed Resolution 25-08 Acceptance and Approval of ROW Dedication for 135th Street for Timberline Estates Part III. Seward inquired about the location of the trees in question. Scott Ritter of Hart-Frederick addressed the Board to show the location of the trees to be north of the north right-of-way line of the existing road. Young noted that the dedicated additional area for the road is located along the south side of the existing 135th Street and will not impact the tree line discussed previously.
On motion by Fedler, seconded by Seward, the Board voted to approve Resolution 25-08 Acceptance and Approval of ROW Dedication for 135th Street for Timberline Estates Part III, and authorize the Chairperson to sign.
On motion by Yoder, seconded by Fedler, the Board took action to adopt a proclamation designating April 2025, as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The Board reviewed the Ground Lease and Memorandum of Lease between Wellman Co-Operative Telephone Association and Washington County. Seward noted that this process started March 31, 2023, after losing the then existing Wellman tower during a tornado. The leased property is located in the SW ¼ NE ¼ of Section 14, Township 77 North, Range 9 West of the 5th PM, described as commencing as a point of reference at the Center of said Section 14; thence N00°33’55”W along the west line of said SW ¼ NE ¼, 249.65 feet; thence S89°05’29”E, 176.15 feet to the Point of Beginning; thence S89°05’29”E, 53.50 feet; thence S00°38’30”E, 84.00 feet; thence N89°05’29”W, 53.50 feet; thence N00°38’30”W, 84.00 feet to the Point of Beginning, containing 0.10 acres. The terms of the lease expire on December 31, 2049, at the rate of one dollar per year. On motion by Seward, seconded by Yoder, the Board voted to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Ground Lease. Fedler then made a motion to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Memorandum of Lease.
Seward explained that the Bill of Sale for the tower related to the ground lease was expected to be in excess of $500,000.00. The amount on the Bill of Sale to be executed today is significantly less at $358,475.40. Seward made motion to approve the Bill of Sale between Wellman Co-Operative Telephone Association and Washington County for purchase of the radio tower and authorize the Chairperson to sign.
On motion by Yoder, seconded by Seward, the Board approved, and authorized the Chairperson to sign a letter of support for East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund for purpose of assistance with downpayments and rehabilitation for first time home buyers.
On motion by Yoder, seconded by Fedler, the Board approved and authorized the Chairperson to sign a Secondary Road Use request for Kalona Horseshoe gravel bike race to take place May 10, 2025. This is the second year of the approximate 65-mile route which begins and ends at the Kalona Historical village and runs through portions of Washington and Johnson Counties. Organizers expect 75-150 participants.
On motion by Fedler, seconded by Seward, the Board voted to acknowledge, and authorize the Chairperson to sign, a personnel change request from Washington County Rescue for the hiring of Nicholas Smith for an indefinite on-call period effective April 15, 2025.
Ambulance Director Jordan Wright provided the Washington County Ambulance Quarterly Report. The report listed a total of 692 calls and 505 actual patient transports. Wright stated that call volume has decreased but transfers increased this quarter. He also reported that billing is currently approximately 10 days out as opposed to 100 days in the past. On motion by Seward, seconded by Yoder, the Board voted to acknowledge the Ambulance Quarterly Report for the 3rd quarter of FY25. The complete report is available in the office of the Washington County Auditor.
On motion by Yoder, seconded by Fedler, the Board voted to acknowledge receipt of the Recorder’s report for the first quarter of calendar year 2025 and to authorize the Chairperson to sign. The report, presented by County Recorder Teresa Mangold, reflected revenues for the quarter in the amount of $118,936.48 with the county retaining $45,576.67. A total of 1,020 documents were recorded during the quarter and Mangold added that her office processed 20 marriage applications, 225 passport applications, 269 passport photographs, and 530 boat, ATV and snowmobile renewals/registrations. Also during the quarter, a total of 428 certified copies of birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses were provided to various individuals. The complete report is available in the office of the Washington County Recorder.
Auditor Tamera Stewart presented the Board with the County Auditor’s Report of Fees Collected for the quarter ending March 2025. Stewart reported the office collected $1,460.00 in transfer fees which is slightly less than the previous quarter. The complete report is available in the office of the Washington County Auditor.
There was no Department Head comment.
Supervisor Young advised the Board that there will be a work session on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. regarding the FY26 budget. All Department Heads are requested to attend. This will replace the monthly Department Head meeting.
At 11:23 a.m. on motion by Fedler, seconded by Yoder, the Board voted to adjourn.
ATTEST:s/ Tamera S. Stewart, Washington County Auditor
Published in The News, Thursday, May 1, 2025 L-239
