Mahaska County Board of Supervisors Discuss Vital Records Audit And Police Protection
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors met on October 7, 2024, to address key county issues in a session held at the Mahaska County Courthouse in Oskaloosa. The meeting, which was live-streamed and available via audio conferencing, brought attention to various matters including HIPAA compliance, police protection agreements, and the recent error in the Prairie Township fire levy.
Approval of Agenda and Minutes
The meeting commenced at 9:00 a.m. after a brief moment of silence. Supervisors Mark Groenendyk, Steve Wanders, and Chuck Webb approved the day’s agenda with the removal of an item. The minutes from previous meetings held on September 13, September 16, and October 3 were also approved without correction.
Closed Session on Real Estate Matters
One of the first significant actions was moving into a closed session as per Iowa Code 21.5(c)(j). This session was requested by the county attorney, dealing with real estate matters. The closed session was expected to take between five and thirty minutes. Upon return, the board reconvened the open session.
HIPAA Compliance and Quarterly Updates
Stephanie from Carosh Compliance Solutions presented the board with a HIPAA compliance review, highlighting the county’s training programs. The report reflected an overall training completion rate of 83.81%, showing that the majority of departments were meeting expectations. Some areas, such as the Sheriff’s Office and maintenance, were noted to have lower completion rates, attributed to personnel changes.
In addition, Stephanie acknowledged that the county had shredded outdated mental health records, a task approved by the Mental Health Region Board, further ensuring the protection of sensitive information.
Review of Vital Records Audit
The county recorder’s vital records audit was reviewed during the session. The audit, conducted every three years, was found to be comprehensive and without any recommendations for improvement, indicating efficient handling of the county’s vital records.
Payroll Changes and Urban Renewal Report
The board also approved payroll changes in the Sheriff’s Office, including two promotions. Following this, the annual Urban Renewal Report for the fiscal year 2023-2024 was approved. This report pertains to the county’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts.
Discussion on Prairie Township Fire Levy Error
One of the more pressing issues was an oversight related to the Prairie Township fire levy. The levy, which should have been set at 60.75 cents, was mistakenly set at just 6 cents. This error left the township with insufficient funds to meet its contractual obligations for fire protection services provided by the City of New Sharon. The levy at 6 cents raised only $4,696, far short of the $37,408 required by the 28E agreement with New Sharon.
County Attorney Andrew provided guidance, suggesting options to address the shortfall. Discussions touched on the possibility of using the township’s accumulated fire fund balance, which stood at $7,792, and whether the county would need to step in to cover the remaining shortfall. The board plans to follow up with further discussions with New Sharon officials and township trustees.
Police Protection Agreements and Other Discussions
The board reviewed and approved the 28E agreement for police protection services for the City of Rose Hill, covering fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. The agreement clarifies the responsibilities for law enforcement services within the city.
Additional discussions included bids for sewer and water repairs at the Law Center and the progress of water main repairs at the Courthouse and Law Center.
Looking Forward
The meeting concluded with public comments and committee reports. As the board continues its work, they are expected to revisit several ongoing issues, including the Prairie Township fire levy and dispatch service agreements, ensuring that the county’s financial and public service responsibilities are adequately met.
