PROCEEDINGS OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025
At 9:00 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, public comment regarding SF 418 bill removing gender identity as a protected characteristic under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, personnel change request – Mental Health and Disability Services, review and approval of Washington County handbook changes, discussion and possible action regarding appointment of member to the Public Housing Agency Board of Directors Section 8 Voucher Program, discussion and action regarding General Assistance contract renewal, discussion and action regarding the creation of a County Building Committee, Department Head comment, adjourn.
Supervisors Bob Yoder, Jack Seward Jr., Marcus Fedler and Stan Stoops were also present.
Other individuals in attendance included Kalen McCain with the SE Iowa Union, County Attorney Nathan Repp, County Sheriff Jared Schneider, Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Aaron Wulf, Human Resources Administrator Amber Armbruster, Outreach Director Joe Williams, Assistant IT Director Kyle Evans, State Representative Jeff Shipley, and citizens Dan Henderson, Martha Sherman, Marie Haala, Kay Eden, Tharren Keith, Stan Meader, Julie Gentz, Kirah Johnson, JJ Johnson, Alex Johnson, Cody Johnson, Eliza Johnson, Jack Johnson, Nick Juelsgaard, JoAnn Whitmore, Lynette Iles, Susan McConnell, Danielle Pettit-Majewski, Linda Boston, Sean McConnell, and Eileen Beran. Various other individuals listened and/or watched remotely via Zoom.
Fedler led the individuals assembled in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
All motions were passed unanimously unless noted otherwise.
On motion by Seward, seconded by Yoder, the Board voted to approve the agenda as amended. The agenda was amended to add a personnel change request for Conservation. This item was tabled at the June 3, 2025, meeting.
There was no public comment related to agenda items.
Thirty minutes of public comment period was allowed for discussion of State of Iowa Senate File (SF) 418 regarding the removal of gender identity as a protected characteristic. Representative for Indivisible Iowa of Washington County Lynette Iles, Catholic Priest Martha Sherman, Washington for Justice Director Dan Henderson, and Sean McConnell of Washington, all addressed the Board with their concerns regarding the current legislation and requesting Washington County adopt an ordinance to protect transgender citizens. The group presented a petition containing 187 signatures urging the Board to pass a County Civil Rights Ordinance. Also provided was an article from the “Human Rights Campaign” 2024 report titled “The National State of Emergency Facing the Transgender Community in the United States.” This article outlines many of the adversities transgender citizens face, from discrimination to acts of violence. All of this information is available for review in the Washington County Auditor’s Office. State Representative Jeff Shipley also addressed the Board to share information regarding the creation of SF 418 and to encourage anyone experiencing any civil rights violations to report the activity. Shipley spoke in favor of the new legislation and gave explanation of many facets of the bill that becomes effective July 1, 2025.
On motion by Seward, seconded by Fedler, the Board approved, and authorized the Chairperson to sign, a personnel change request from Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS) for the termination of Bobbie Wulf. Wulf was the Coordinator of Disability Services under Iowa Mental Health and Disability Services which will come to a close on June 30, 2025, due to the restructuring of the MHDS system in Iowa.
On motion by Fedler, seconded by Yoder, the Board approved, and authorized the Chairperson to sign, a personnel change request for the hiring of temporary Conservation Summer Aide Paul Young at the rate of $11.00 hourly effective June 12, 2025, through September 2025.
Human Resources Administrator Amber Armbruster presented the Board with changes to the Washington County Handbook as requested after review by Human Resource counsel Ahlers & Cooney. Proposed changes include language updates regarding confidential records and personnel records, clarification of courthouse closures and overtime and paid leave requirements. Changes regarding new hire vacation accrual, drug and alcohol post-accident testing, and various other slight changes were also included. On motion by Seward, seconded by Yoder, the Board approved the changes to the Washington County Handbook as presented to take effect July 1, 2025.
Chairperson Seward discussed with the Board the possibility of appointment of a board member to the Public Housing Agency Board of Directors Section 8 Voucher Program. Currently the agency has no programs within Washington County. There is a conflict with the agency’s meeting dates being the same day as the County’s regularly scheduled board meetings on Tuesday. Motion was made by Seward to contact the Public Housing Agency and suggest a change in their meeting date in order to accommodate a member being appointed from Washington County’s Board of Supervisors. The motion was seconded by Fedler.
On motion by Fedler, seconded by Yoder, the Board approved renewal of the contract with Hawkeye Area Community Assistance Program to provide General Assistance. There are no changes to the contract outside of the effective dates.
The Board discussed the possibility of creating a County Building Committee. This committee will consist of department heads and other relevant staff to determine the overall ongoing needs of the county buildings and include a sub-committee for building security. One goal of the committee will be establishing a 5-year plan and budgets for necessary maintenance and improvements. Fedler made a motion to proceed with establishing the committee, with a second by Seward. Chairperson Young will appoint members to serve.
There was no Department Head comment.
Supervisor Fedler gave an update to the building remodels. Orchard Hill Building 2 should be ready to office to move in by mid-July. A walk through will take place on June 26 to check completion status. The courthouse remodel is still in progress. The County Attorney’s office is expected to move to their temporary location in early July while their permanent space is being renovated. The new building for Secondary Roads will start construction this week.
Supervisor Seward reported that the Wellman tower is back to being operational and on-line. It is currently being tested before officially being active. New sirens have been put in place county wide. Supervisor Young informed the Board about the possibility of 911 funding for these items being cut by the State in the future.
Young also updated the Board regarding the hiring of a new Emergency Management Coordinator. Determinations are still being made with two candidates and there should be more information by early July.
At 10:01 a.m. on motion by Yoder, seconded by Fedler, the Board voted to adjourn.
ATTEST:s/ Tamera S. Stewart, Washington County Auditor
1ST AYD CORPORATION, Supplies 482.00
3-E ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING EQUIP, Service 503.88
ACCESS SYSTEMS, Contract 354.47
ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING, Lease 96.40
ACE N MORE, Supplies 827.46
AERO RENTAL, Supplies 187.00
ALL AMER TERM PEST CONTROL, Service 145.00
ALLIANT, Utilities 8,663.21
ALTORFER MACHINERY, Parts 4,593.01
AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES, Supplies 179.00
AMERICAN CORRECTIONS SPECIALIST, Service 161.50
ARNOLD MOTOR SUPPLY, Supplies 833.48
AXON ENTERPRISES INC, Tasers 1,664.80
BAILEY OFFICE OUTFITTERS, Supplies 1,920.37
BAKER PAPER, Supplies 916.95
BONNIE LINS, Reimb 352.10
BRIGHTREE HOME HLTH & HOSPICE, Software 2,981.00
CALHOUN BURNS & ASSOC, Service 7,343.95
CARA SORRELLS, Reimb 251.83
CARMAN DAVIS, Reimb 630.00
CAROL KOLOSIEK, Cisterns 1,200.00
CARRIE RICH, Reimb 61.71
CARRIER ACCESS IT, Service 243.75
CARROLL CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY, Eqmt 11,352.70
CARSON PLUMBING & HEATING, Supplies 1,199.02
CASH N CARRY CHEMICALS, Chemicals 500.00
CDW GOVERNMENT, Workstations 1,062.38
CENTRAL IOWA DETENTION, Service 25.47
CENTRAL IOWA DISTRIBUTING INC, Supplies 244.00
CHARLA HOWARD, Service 900.00
CHRISTNER CONTRACTING INC, Renovation 35,542.64
CINTAS, Service 367.88
CITY OF KALONA, Utilities 34.51
CITY OF WASHINGTON, Utilities 1,250.88
CITY OF WEST CHESTER, Utilities 52.00
CJS OIL CO, Fuel 429.75
CLAIM MD, Software 100.00
COLOSSUS, Support 3,066.00
COMPASS MINERALS AMERICA, Salt 29,663.34
CONSOLIDATED MANAGEMENT CO, Meals 18,301.24
CONSUMERS COOPERATIVE, Fuel 721.60
CONTINUOUS TOUCH, Service 479.76
COPY SYSTEMS INC, Supplies 310.79
COTT SYSTEMS, Service 1,020.00
CULLIGAN WATER COND, Water 649.77
CUSTOM IMPRESSIONS INC, Stamp 28.95
DAN CORBIN INC, Targets 756.00
DANIEL STIGERS, Fees 819.60
DELONG CONSTR, Service 8,733.78
DELTA DENTAL OF IOWA, Clams 9,103.15
DES MOINES CO SHERIFF, Service 130.80
DIANE WALDSCHMIDT, Reimb 517.30
DONALD MOELLER, Reimb 100.00
DONS TRUCK SALES, Parts 182.69
DOUDS STONE LLC, Roadstone 65,451.27
EASTERN IA LIGHT & POWER, Utilities 2,235.14
ELDON C STUTSMAN INC, Parts 10.36
ELLIOTT BULK SERVICES, LLC, Fuel 43,908.93
EMBROIDERY BARN, Service 5.00
ENCITE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN, Renovation 15,111.65
EQUATEK INTERACTIVE, Subscription 10.00
FARMERS CO-OP KEOTA, Service 698.06
FIFTH DIST TREASURER’S ASSN, Registration 50.00
GALLAGHER BENEFIT SERVICES INC, Service 2,533.00
GALLS INC, Supplies 409.10
GATR TRUCK CENTER, Parts 863.76
GLOBAL SOFTWARE, Maint 12,440.34
GORDON FLESCH COMPANY, Copier 9,228.26
HAMILTON MEDICAL INC, Vent 17,393.01
HCC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Premium 2,841.24
HEALTHCARE FIRST, Survey 110.44
HEARTLAND SHREDDING INC, Service 1,612.78
HENDERSON PRODUCTS INC, Parts 755.21
HENRY CO SHERIFF, Service 35.50
HIWAY SERV CTR, Parts 39.13
HOLIDAY INN AIRPORT, Lodging 672.00
IA CO ATTYS CASE MGMT PROJECT, Software 9,860.00
IA DOT, Grant app 7,029.97
IA LEIN, Registration 500.00
IA ST ASSN OF CO, Registration 535.00
IA ST CO TREAS ASSN, Dues 250.00
IA ST SHERIFF &, Dues 25.00
IGRAPHIX INC, Shipping 17.80
IMPRESSIONS COMPUTERS, Maint 202.50
IMWCA, Premium 20,438.00
INSIGHT PUBLIC SECTOR, Renewal 477.63
INTOXIMETERS, Supplies 72.50
IRENE MCDOWELL, Reimb 39.90
J.J. NICHTING CO., Parts 776.28
JACKIE BROWN, Reimb 455.00
JACKSON HESSELTINE, Reimb 200.00
JEFFERSON CO SHERIFF, Servic 123.80
JENIFER ROBERTS, Reimb 466.20
JET PHYSICAL THERAPY, Service 5,333.50
JIMS SMALL ENGINE REPAIR, Signs 570.92
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL, Parts 241.64
JOHNSON CO MED EXAMINER, Fees 592.44
JOHNSON CO SHERIFF, Service 118.40
JOSHUA GREINER, Refund 319.59
JULIE MESSER, Service 700.00
KALONA CO-OP TELE, Internet 1,930.00
KALONA GRAPHICS, Supplies 565.42
KALONA TIRE, Tires 10,228.71
KARLAS KLEANING, Cleaning 270.00
KARRI FISHER, Reimb 17.50
KCI, ads 247.52
KIRKWOOD COMM COLLEGE, Cpr cards 9.00
KLINGNER & ASSOCIATES PC, Inspection 965.00
KUCERA INTERNATIONAL INC, Aerials 30,000.00
LANGUAGE LINK, Service 12.54
MAIL SERVICES, Renewals 1,010.25
MARK WOOD, Service 900.00
MARY ANN KNUPP, Service 900.00
MARY EBERSOLE, Reimb 299.98
MEGAN JORGENSEN, Reimb 13.74
MELANIE LARSON, Reimb 202.00
MENARDS-IC, Supplies 93.74
MIDWEST WHEEL, Parts 3,832.31
MOORES BP AMOCO TOWING, Towing 275.00
MOSE LEVY CO, Supplies 32.39
MYA TALBERT, Reimb 212.61
NYHART, Fees 1,200.00
ONE SOURCE, Service 108.65
OREILLY AUTO PARTS, Parts 3,768.21
PAUL TOWNER, Fees 611.40
PAYGROUND INC, Fees 356.56
PEGGY WOOD, Reimb 88.90
PENN CARE INC, Supplies 5,966.13
PHYSICAL THERAPY, Service 595.00
QUALITY TRAFFIC CONTROL INC, Supplies 1,310.00
QUILL CORP, Supplies 78.62
REPUBLIC COMPANIES, Sign post 10,370.00
RESERVE ACCOUNT, Postage 248.94
REXCO EQMT INC, Parts 398.05
RMB CO, Repair 4,408.36
RONDA STAUFFER SOBASKI, Cleaning 225.00
SADLER POWER TRAIN, Parts 455.67
SCHNEIDER GEOSPATIAL, Hosting 12,924.00
SCHUMACHER ELEVATOR, Maint 267.06
SECRETARY OF STATE, Notary fee 90.00
SEMCO, Service 3,402.45
SHELBY HILL, Reimb 136.50
SHOTTENKIRK - WEST BURLINGTON, Parts 156.98
SIACC annual share 18,528.36
STAPLES, Supplies 386.27
STOUT COMPANIES, Service 2,208.00
SWM ENTERPRISES INC, Repair 340.00
THE NEWS, Publications 971.10
THE WATER SHOP INC, Salt 81.00
THOMAS PATTERSON, Rent 300.00
THRYV ads 116.85
TIFCO INDUSTRIES, Supplies 774.29
TRANSIT WORKS, Supplies 5,083.22
TRIMBLE FUNERAL HOME, GA assistance 692.81
US CELLULAR, Cell phone 1,356.55
US POST OFFICE, Postage 474.05
US POSTAL SERV, Postage 2,717.32
USIC LOCATING SERVICE LLC, Service 400.00
VANGUARD APPRAISALS, Contract 14,075.00
VIRGINIA MILLER, Reimb 465.50
VISA, Supplies 20.91
VISA WASH STATE BANK, Supplies 225.96
WAGEWORKS/HEALTH EQUITY, Fees 67.50
WALMART CARD, Supplies 840.39
WAPELLO CO SHERIFF, Service 66.00
WAPELLO RURAL WATER ASSOC, Service 66.50
WASH CO SECONDARY, Reimb 6,239.86
WASH CO SHERIFF, Service 825.15
WASHINGTON DISCOUNT TIRES, Tires 2,086.22
WELLMAN CO-OP TELEPHONE ASSN, Service 270.92
WELLMARK/WAGEWORKS, Clams 32,763.69
WELTER STORAGE EQUIP, Furniture 8,116.00
WEX BANK, Fuel 137.98
WINDSTREAM, Phone 1,062.04
WMPF, Publications 1,127.58
WOODRUFF CONSTRUCTION, Renovation 158,089.52
YODER POWELL FUNERAL HOME, VA assistance 2,000.00
Published in The News, Thursday, June 26, 2025 L-385