BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
WASHINGTON COUNTY, IOWA
REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY,
MAY 2, 2023
At 9:00 am Chair Bob Yoder called the meeting to order in regular session, Courthouse Chambers. Items on the agenda included: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week Proclamation; discussion/possible action re: presentation from citizen Dale Torpey with regard to Washington County office space needs; discussion/possible action re: change order to agreement with ENCITE Architecture to facilitate a design for two options with regard to Washington County office space needs; Secondary Roads FY23 Iowa DOT Budget Amendment; personnel change request–Sheriff; Quarterly Report–Sheriff; personnel change requests–Ambulance; personnel change request–Board of Supervisors. Supervisors Jack Seward, Jr., Stan Stoops, Marcus Fedler, and Richard Young were also present.
All motions were passed unanimously by those supervisors in attendance unless noted otherwise.
The Board voted to approve the agenda as published.
The Board voted to adopt a proclamation designating the month of May, 2023, as Community Action Month.
Citizen Dale Torpey addressed the Board regarding office space needs for county employees and in particular the possible purchase of the five-story Federation Bank building located at 112 2nd Street in Washington. Public Health currently occupies the top three floors of the structure per a rental agreement while the bottom two floors are vacant for the most part. According to Torpey the building has been well-maintained and is in very good condition. He also reminded maintenance costs are part of property ownership no matter the age or condition of the property. Torpey expressed concern as to why expansion of county facilities was being considered when the population of Washington County has grown by 3,524 over the last 51 years which is approximately 70 individuals in each of the past 51 years or stated another way 1/3 of one percent in each of the past 51 years. Torpey, who is a former employee of Federation Bank, shared that in 2001 Federation Bank was an $80 million bank with 43 employees operating on three floors of the building. At the present time Federation Bank has become a $155 million bank with 32 employees which operates effectively with 2,000 square feet less than in 2001 which can be attributed, according to Torpey, to high capacity and a very sophisticated computer system. In turn Torpey opined it is not necessary or reasonable for the County to increase operational square footage. Torpey recommended the County negotiate a contract purchase of the Federation Bank building for $800,000.00 calling for the County to make monthly payments in an amount similar in amount as the monthly rent payments of $5,800.00 that the County currently makes. In doing so the total purchase price, including interest, would be fully paid in approximately 12 to 15 years. Under such a scenario the $4.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds the County has received would not be used for the purchase of the Federation Bank Building and could be used for other purposes. Torpey asked the Board to strongly consider relocating the offices of court services, which include among other things the offices of the County Attorney and various staff members as well as Court rooms, to Orchard Hill which according to Torpey would alleviate the space issues at the building that currently serves as the Washington County Courthouse. Torpey questioned why the County was involved in agriculture and in turn urged the Board to sell the approximate 107 acres of farm ground owned by the County and currently rented out on a cash rent basis of $207.00 per acre. Torpey offered that the space on the first floor of the Courthouse, known as the Old Motor Vehicle room, could be better utilized than it is at the present time. In concluding his remarks Torpey again urged the Board to sell the County farm ground which when combined with the ARPA money would result in approximately $5.5 million. In turn such funds could be used to finance the renovation of both the Courthouse and the Federation Bank building for an estimated cost of $1 million as well as the $2 million estimated cost to renovate Orchard Hill facilities in order to accommodate Court services. Torpey suggested the remaining ARPA funds in the amount of $2.5 million could be used for road improvement projects, day care, and/or for the expansion of facilities at the Washington County Hospital and Clinics. The Board took no formal action.
Fedler shared that a request was made to ENCITE Architecture, Washington, Iowa, to facilitate designs for each of two additional options regarding Washington County office space needs. Plans call for Encite Architecture & Design to provide a test fit/study to explore relocating a smaller contingent of Washington County staff to Orchard Hill and to revise the previous Federation Bank plan for accommodating additional County staff. The study will be limited to test fit/space options and will not explore life/safety items or mechanical, electrical and plumbing items. Fedler emphasized that such designs are in no way deemed to be final designs. The fee for such services to be provided by Encite Architecture & Design would be in the amount of $1,850.00. The Board voted to approve the change in the present contract agreement with Encite Architecture & Design in order to allow for continued work on the options that are available and also to authorize the Chair to sign necessary and applicable documents.
The Board voted to approve an amendment to the Secondary Roads Department FY23 Iowa Department of Transportation Budget and to authorize the Chair to sign.
The Board voted to acknowledge, and authorize the Chair to sign, personnel change requests from the Sheriff for Timothy Padallia and Jill Duwa who will both assume the duties of non-exempt full-time Jailer, effective May 8, 2023, at the rate of $21.50 per hour. The County Auditor is hereby authorized to issue pay warrants upon proper certification from the Department Head.
The Board voted to acknowledge receipt of the Sheriff’s Quarterly Cash Report for the 3rd quarter of FY23. The report, presented by Civil Deputy Bill Fiordelise, included a beginning balance of $15,699.81, total receipts including unallocated funds in the amount of $82,770.79, total disbursements of $73,148.47, and an ending balance of $25,322.13. The complete report is available in the office of the County Auditor.
The Board voted to acknowledge, and authorize the Chair to sign, a personnel change request from Ambulance Services for non-exempt full-time EMT Michael Johnston whose rate of compensation changed to $28.59 per hour effective February 8, 2023.
The Board voted to acknowledge, and authorize the Chair to sign, a personnel change request from Ambulance Services for EMT Michael Johnston whose employee status changed to non-exempt part-time effective April 12, 2023.
The Board voted to acknowledge, and authorize the Chair to sign, a personnel change request from Ambulance Services for Jack Flesner whose final date of employment occurred April 25, 2023.
The Board voted to acknowledge, and authorize the Chair to sign, a personnel change request from Ambulance Services for Connor Tarvin who assumed the duties of non-exempt regular part-time Paramedic, effective April 21, 2023, at the rate of $34.89 per hour. This action corrects an earlier personnel change request that included an incorrect rate of pay.
The Board voted to approve, and authorize the Chair to sign, a personnel change request from the Board of Supervisors for the hiring of Aaron Wulf as temporary Washington County Weed Commissioner for May 15, 2023, to September 15, 2023, at the rate of $568.75 per month. Wulf will serve as Washington County Weed Commissioner in addition to his full-time duties as an employee of the Washington County Building and Grounds Department.
At 9:42 am the Board voted to adjourn.
Attest: s/DANIEL L. WIDMER, County Auditor
Published in The News, Thursday, May 18, 2023 L-224
