PROCEEDINGS OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 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, Public Hearing regarding review and approval of Minor Plat for Goldfinch Meadows Subdivision, Resolution 26-32 Acceptance and Approval of Minor Plat of Goldfinch Meadows Subdivision, personnel change requests – IT, personnel change request – Treasurer, personnel change request – GIS, proclamation declaring Washington County, Iowa, a local State of Emergency, presentation of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Entities Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of the Board of Supervisors for final signature, discussion and action regarding Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Advisory Council By-Law changes, discussion and approval of estimates for gutter repair at WEMIGA Waste facility, discussion and possible decision regarding road project financing options, Department Head comment, adjourn.
Supervisors Marcus Fedler, Bob Yoder, Richard Young, and Stan Stoops were also present.
Other individuals in attendance included Giovanni Coronel with the Southeast Iowa Union, Sheriff Jared Schneider, County Engineer Jacob Thorius, Public Health Fiscal Administrator Peggy Wood, Assistant IT Director Kyle Evans, County Attorney Nathan Repp, Subdivision Coordinator Mya Talbert, Assistant IT Systems Administrator Dustin Flake, Emergency Management Coordinator Nathan Schmuecker, Communications Supervisor Cara Sorrells, GIS Coordinator Duane Royer, IT Director Cynthia Sinn, County Treasurer Jeff Garrett, Caden Easter with MidAmerican Energy, and citizens Lynette Iles, Chris Dolan, and Allen Lucas. Various other individuals listened and/or watched remotely via Zoom.
Seward 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 time regarding the Goldfinch Meadows Substation. Iles is concerned about the threads attached to it and where they lead, being to two national gas power stations to be built in Washington County. One is set to be online April 2027 and the other July 2030. These two power plants combined will have an output equal to supplying at least 700,000 homes with power. Iles questions why they are being built in Washington County and what will follow. She also voiced concerns about spending. The current national GDP is only a little above 1% and stated that if we are truly facing the infrastructure demands of even one more power plant over the next several years, we need a coordinated, long-term plant before we find ourselves with bills we cannot meet. The information cited is from Clearview.com and Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).
At 9:05 a.m., on motion by Fedler, seconded by Yoder, the Board went into Public Hearing.
Subdivision Coordinator Mya Talbert presented information regarding the proposed Goldfinch Meadows Subdivision which is to be located on the Highway G36 exit just off Highway 218. The owner is dividing this tract into three lots for the purpose of a MidAmerican Energy substation. All required county departments have signed approval of the subdivision and said subdivision complies with county and state subdivision regulations. There was no public comment.
On motion by Seward, seconded by Stoops, the Board closed the Public Hearing at 9:06 a.m.
On motion by Stoops, seconded by Fedler, the Board approved by way of roll call vote, Resolution 26-32, Acceptance and Approval of Minor Plat for Goldfinch Meadows Subdivision, and authorized the Chairperson to sign Resolution 26-32 as follows:
RESOLUTION 26 – 32
ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL OF MINOR PLAT FOR
GOLDFINCH MEADOWS SUBDIVISION
WHEREAS, Ronald Crawford, owner of the property described herein, wish to voluntarily subdivide the same property, and have filed for approval of the Final Minor Plat of Goldfinch Meadows, a subdivision of real estate the part of which is described as follows, to wit:
The legal description is “GOLDFINCH MEADOWS”:
AUDITOR PARCEL A IN THE NORTHWEST FRACTIONAL QUARTER OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 4, TOWNSHIP 75 NORTH, RANGE 6 WEST OF THE 5TH P.M., WASHINGTON COUNTY, IOWA AS RECORDED IN INST. NO. #2001-2282 OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE.
WHEREAS, Washington County, Iowa has adopted a Subdivision Ordinance, per Chapter 354 of the Code of Iowa, as amended; and
WHEREAS, said plat, application and the submissions have been examined by the Washington County Board of Supervisors and have been found to conform to the requirements of the Washington County Subdivision Ordinance and County Standards and the requirements of other ordinances and with the laws of the State of Iowa governing such plats;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the subdivision as it appears on the Final Minor Plat of Goldfinch Meadows Subdivision is hereby accepted and approved by the Washington County Board of Supervisors; and this approval authorizes the owner to proceed with the development of further plans and a plat in preparation for review and action regarding the Minor Plat by the Board of Supervisors.
Passed and adopted this 29th day of September 2026.
On motion by Fedler, seconded by Yoder, the Board approved and authorized the Chairperson to sign a personnel change request from Information Technology (IT) for Kyle Evans as IT Director at the rate of $52.68 hourly effective October 1, 2026, from his previous position as Assistant IT Director at the rate of $47.08 hourly.
On motion by Yoder, seconded by Fedler, the Board approved and authorized the Chairperson to sign a personnel change request from Information Technology (IT) for Dustin Flake as Systems Administrator at the rate of $35.92 hourly effective October 1, 2026, from his previous position as Assistant Systems Administrator at the rate of $31.79 hourly.
On motion by Young, seconded by Yoder, the Board approved and authorized the Chairperson to sign a personnel change request from Information Technology (IT) for the retirement of IT Director Cynthia Sinn, effective September 30, 2026, after 49.75 hears of service to Washington County. Chairperson Seward thanked Sinn for her work as IT Director and Budget Director during her employment. Motion passed 4:1 with Stoops voting nay out of respect.
On motion by Yoder, seconded by Seward, the Board approved and authorized the Chairperson to sign a personnel change request from the Treasurer’s Office for the hiring of Clerk Brilee Flake, effective October 5, 2026, at the rate of $23.91 hourly.
On motion by Yoder, seconded by Young, the Board approved and authorized the Chairperson to sign a personnel change request from GIS for the hiring of winter intern Laurie Amos, effective October 1, 2026, at the rate of $17.00 hourly.
Emergency Management Coordinator Nathan Schmuecker presented a Declaration of Local Disaster. Schmuecker will provide letters from the City of Wellman and the City of Kalona requesting the declaration to Auditor Stewart. As of September 28, 2026, Governor Reynolds signed Washington County into Proclamation of Natural Emergency. Assistance is being provided by means of Iowa Individual Assistance Program grants in the amount of up to $7,000.000 for those qualified. Over 60 properties have been affected, as well as the water treatment facility, sewage lagoons, and roadways. Public Assistance threshold of $109,665.90 has already been met. Homeland Security has provided some necessary items including a trailer and trash pump. Sandbags are being provided to necessary areas in Riverside, Kalona, and Wellman in anticipation of more rain. The Declaration is as follows:
DECLARATION
OF
A LOCAL DISASTER
Washington County, Iowa
No. 26-01
WHEREAS, Washington County, Iowa, experienced a large amount of flooding on or about September 19, 2026, and into the following week, which created significant disruption to Washington County infrastructure and damage to private property; and
WHEREAS, said flooding resulted in the disruption of utility services and created conditions that imperiled the public health, safety, and/or welfare of those residents of Washington County within the affected areas; and
WHEREAS, these conditions constitute a disaster emergency within the meaning of applicable Iowa law; and
WHEREAS, Iowa Code authorized local governments to proclaim a local state of emergency and to take necessary actions to protect life and property and to facilitate disaster response and recovery efforts;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Board of Supervisors of Washington County, Iowa, hereby declares a Local State of Emergency for those areas of Washington County affected by the flooding; and
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED, that Washington County is authorized to expend emergency funds from all available sources, invoke Mutual Aid agreements, and/or take all actions necessary to respond to and/or recover from this emergency; and
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED, that the Washington County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is directed to coordinate emergency response and recovery operations and to apply for available assistance from the State of Iowa and/or other appropriate entities.
This proclamation shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
The Board tabled presentation of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Entities Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of the Board of Supervisors for final signature until a future date.
After reviewing the draft Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council by-law changes and brief discussion, the Board approved the amended Washington County, Iowa Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Advisory Council By-Laws as follows:
WASHINGTON COUNTY, IOWA
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) ADVISORY COUNCIL
BY-LAWS
2026
ARTICLE I
Washington County EMS Advisory Council Established
Section 1
The Washington County, Iowa, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Advisory Council is hereby established by the Washington County Board of Supervisors (BOS) and is hereafter referred to as the Washington County EMSAC.
Section 2
This Council shall serve the interests of the consumers of Emergency Medical Services within the County of Washington, in the State of Iowa, and report to the Washington County Board of Supervisors (BOS) at least annually upon the condition of Emergency Medical Services and offer the Council’s recommendation(s) to improve upon those services in Washington County.
Section 3
Any financial support determined to be necessary and justified for the Washington County EMS Advisory Council to operate shall be provided by the Washington County Board of Supervisors (BOS).
ARTICLE II
Purpose and Objectives
The Washington County EMS Advisory Council exists to help local EMS entities build a system to reduce suffering, disability, and/or death from injury and/or illness while ensuring access, quality, and affordable out-of-hospital EMS for all citizens.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers consist of, but are not limited to, the Washington County Ambulance Service and local EMS/1st Responder/Quick Responder Services (QRS) entities.
In collaboration and cooperation with the Washington County Ambulance Service and the Washington County EMS Association, the Council shall survey, analyze, and report upon the performance of the following segments of EMS in Washington County:
1. Access to quality EMS by evaluating the structure, process, and outcome of EMS events.
2. Adequacy of system funding.
3. Appropriate resource utilization.
4. Reduction of burden upon the EMS entities.
5. Integration of EMS into the existing healthcare system.
6. Continuing education and training to meet certification.
ARTICLE III
Authority and Functions
The Washington County EMS Advisory Council shall act on behalf of, and as the official advisor to, the Washington County Board of Supervisors (BOS) regarding the evaluation of all EMS activities that serve the consumers of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) within Washington County, Iowa, and shall comment upon the planning, implementation, and methods to enhance and improve EMS in Washington County.
Section 1 General Functions of the Council
1. Monitoring of the Washington County EMS System for strategic planning, implementation and collaboration, where appropriate, with the Washington County Ambulance Service and the Washington County EMS Association.
2. The Council members shall ensure that the organizations in which they represent are consistently informed of Washington County EMS Advisory Council business.
Section 2 Members of the Washington County EMS Advisory Council
1. The Council membership shall include a representative from the following:
a. Washington County EMS Association designee (1)
b. Washington County Mutual Aid Fire Association designee (1)
c. Communications Center/Dispatch/PSAP manager designee (1)
d. Washington County Board of Supervisors (BOS) designee (1)
e. Washington County Hospital and Clinics designee (1)
f. Washington County Ambulance Service Director or designee (1)
Section 3 Terms of Council Members
1. Council membership shall be appointed through Board of Supervisor agenda item. Boards and Commission Application for Appointment form can be obtained from Board of Supervisors. Council members will serve a 4-year term. Council member terms will alternate every 2 years.
2. The Council shall report the current membership roster to the Washington County Board of Supervisors (BOS) annually.
ARTICLE IV
Washington County EMS Advisory Council Officers and Conduct of Meetings
Section 1 Officers
1. The officers of the Washington County EMS Advisory Council shall include a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary.
Section 2 Qualifications
1. The officers of the Council shall be elected from the official membership of the Council.
Section 3 Election of Officers
1. The election of all officers shall take place at the first Council meeting of the county fiscal year when necessary to fill a vacancy.
2. The election shall be held by secret ballot unless there is only one (1) candidate for an office and that candidate agrees to assume the duties of that office.
Section 4 Terms of Officers
1. All officers shall serve two (2) year terms.
Section 5 Vacancies
1. A vacancy in the office of the Chairperson shall be filled by the Vice-Chairperson and shall be confirmed and/or replaced by vote of the Council at the next regular Council meeting.
2. A vacancy in the office of Vice-Chairperson shall be appointed by the Chair and shall be confirmed and/or replaced by vote of the Council at the next regular Council meeting.
3. Any additional, vacant offices shall be filled by a vote of the Council at the next regular scheduled Council meeting.
Section 6 Duties of the Officers
1. The Chairperson of the Council shall:
a. Preside over the Council meetings.
b. Orientate new members to the purpose and function of the Council.
c. Appoint ad-hoc committees as deemed necessary to accomplish the mission and goals of the Washington County EMS Advisory Council.
2. The Vice-Chairperson of the Council shall:
a. Preside over Council meetings in the absence of the Chairperson.
b. Take minutes of the Council meetings in the absence of the Secretary.
3. The Secretary of the Council shall:
a. Prepare, distribute and post proposed Council meeting agendas in collaboration with the Chairperson and/or Vice-Chairperson.
b. Take minutes of the Council meetings.
c. File the official minutes of the Council Meetings upon approval of the Chairperson.
Section 7 Voting
1. Each Council member shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
2. The Chairperson, or the Council member presiding over the Council meeting, shall retain voting privileges.
3. If, during the Council meeting, a voting process is required, each Washington County EMS Advisory Council member present shall be entitled to one (1) vote, with no absentee ballots, and/or proxy votes allowed.
Section 8 Council Meetings
1. The Council shall meet quarterly in the months of January, April, July and October, at such date, time, and location determined by the Chairperson and/or Council.
2. Special meetings of the Council may be called by the Chairperson.
3. The Secretary shall document notifications to all Council members by email, phone, text, and/or by other means, at least three (3) business days prior to conducting a special meeting.
4. All scheduled meetings shall follow Iowa Open Meeting laws for boards and commissions.
Section 9 Quorum
1. A quorum of the Council meeting shall consist of the members of the Council membership that are in attendance. A minimum of three (3) Council members shall be required to conduct business of the Council.
2. If absent a quorum of the Council meeting, those present may have discussions as a ‘work session’, but no decision making of Council business shall be made.
Section 10 Parliamentary Procedure
1. Unless otherwise stated in these bylaws, all regular, special and/or Committee meetings shall be conducted by the generally accepted guidelines within ‘Robert’s Rules of Order’.
ARTICLE V
Conflict of Interest
Should a member of the Council and/or appointed Committee have cause to believe that voting on a given issue could possibly prove to be a conflict of interest, said member shall make public that possibility.
The majority vote (of the members of the Council and/or Committee present) shall determine if the member shall be allowed to participate and/or vote on the issue.
ARTICLE VI
Amendments
These bylaws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the Council at any two (2), consecutive meetings where more than one-half (1/2) of the Council members are present. All by-law changes shall be presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval and adoption at a Board of Supervisors regular meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Liquidation and Dissolution
This Council shall not own any property.
If it becomes necessary to dissolve this Council, there shall be no property to liquidate.
ATTACHMENTS
•Washington County Resolution 21-35
On motion by Stoops, seconded by Yoder, the Board voted to approve a bid from Krabill Seamless Gutters in the amount of $1,700.00 for gutter repair at the county recycling center. In addition to this amount, $750.00 will be included for the addition of snow guards above the new gutters. Another bid was received from Dixon’s Seamless Gutters in the amount of $2,519.30.
County Engineer Jacob Thorius presented information relevant to the proposed county Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for road projects in the southern part of Washington County. A map was provided showing three potential projects in need of improvements due to the increased truck traffic with the Eichelberger Mill expansion. The amount of funds available will depend on the final assessment of the TIF parcels belonging to Eichelberger. Supervisor Fedler expressed his support for utilizing TIF for these projects, stating it gives the County Engineer a great opportunity for funding these improvements over the next 23 years, possibly in conjunction with using debt service. He also stated that the county is in a great position in regard to the small amount of debt currently owed and availability. Supervisor Stoops added that Old Highway 92 is in need of repair and it was determined that road was last replaced approximately 35 years ago and has since had several patches for repairs. Thorius advised that the surface material has not yet been determined. On motion by Fedler, seconded by Yoder, the Board approved the use of TIF for funding the projects and authorized Thorius to move forward.
During Department Head comment, Thorius advised the Board of the closure of Kiwi Avenue as of last Wednesday due to failure of an approximately 70-year-old culvert. He is currently working on options for repair and expects the road to be closed for approximately another month. The estimated cost is between $300,000.00 and $400,000.00. The road will be gravel over the winter and paved in the next year.
At 9:52 a.m. on motion by Yoder, seconded by Fedler, the Board voted to adjourn.
ATTEST: s/ Tamera S. Stewart, Washington County Auditor
Published in The News, Thursday, October 8, 2026 L-671
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