County Hires New Auditing Firm and Reviewing Police Protection Agreements
The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors convened on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. for their regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting covered a variety of topics, including approvals of bills, payroll changes, and upcoming events.
Key Decisions and Discussions:
Approval of Agenda and Previous Meeting Minutes: The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the August 5th and 14th meetings.
Approval of July Bills: The board approved July’s bills, totaling $1,559,503.23. A notable portion of this was allocated to Secondary Roads ($400,000) and payments related to the American Rescue Plan ($180,000).
RVTV Event Approval: The board granted permission to the Oskaloosa Chamber to use the courthouse parking lot for the WHO 13 RVTV event on September 4th. The event, running from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., is expected to draw between 3,000 and 4,000 attendees. In preparation for the event, the courthouse will close early at 3:00 p.m., and surrounding streets will be closed from noon onwards.
Payroll Changes: Several payroll changes were approved, including the hiring of Destiny Stewart as a part-time custodian at the courthouse and Mason Brook as a truck driver/laborer for Secondary Roads. Additionally, Lindsay Rivera was approved as a new full-time jailer at the Sheriff’s Office.
Police Protection Services Agreement: A discussion on the 28E Agreement for police protection services with the City of Rose Hill led to the decision to table the matter until a future work session. Concerns were raised about the financial fairness of the current agreement and the impact on county resources. The board plans to review and potentially renegotiate the terms to ensure equitable cost distribution among the county’s small communities.
Marbella Royal Subdivision Approval: The board approved the preliminary and final plat for the Marbella Royal Subdivision, following confirmation that all necessary paperwork had been completed.
Harassment Prevention Training: The board approved a harassment prevention training session, scheduled for September 6th at the Environmental Learning Center (ELC). The training will be available to all county employees, with additional sessions specifically for Secondary Roads personnel.
New County Auditing Firm: The board selected Mazars, a Kansas City-based firm, as the new county auditing firm. This decision followed extensive research, with Mazars offering a three-year contract at a total cost of $163,000 over three years. The previous auditing firm was unable to continue, and finding a replacement proved challenging due to increased audit requirements for small firms.
Public Comments:
During the public comment period, concerns were raised regarding potential liability issues related to county services. The discussion highlighted the need for clearer communication between county departments and external legal counsel to avoid unexpected costs in the future.
The meeting adjourned after addressing all agenda items. The next board meeting will include further discussions on the police protection services agreement and other pending matters.
For further details or to watch the full meeting, visit the Mahaska County website.
