Supervisors Hear Reports
Mahaska County Supervisors for February 19, 2013
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The supervisor meeting began with the approval of the agenda and minutes of the previous meetings of February 4th and 5th.
After the public hearing and approval of the General Relief ordinance, the Supervisors moved on to department reports from the sanitarian and MCARD.
Eric Dursky, Mahaska County Sanitarian, said he’s working on the new requirements for the septic installers, “not too many changes from the previous year, just a few things the state would like to see changed.”
Dursky also mentioned he is looking at an ordinance that would help the county in enforcement of open dumping, along with nuisance and health hazard issues. “We are limited in our existing codes, right now, for the county… This just really goes back to the abandoned houses that are falling down in the county.”
Dursky also mentioned the trash buildup that can be associated with those properties as well.
Another portion of the new code would cover wells. Dursky said that some contractors are “coming in and doing heat pumps illegally.”
The penalties would be civil in nature.
Dursky also reported that nearly 10 properties along Carbanado Road have yet to come into compliance. “Getting ready to send out letters this spring to the rest of those residents who have not had them inspected, updated or anything done.” He says they have until Fall to become compliant.
Dursky said that if that time elapses for a resident to have their septic system up to code or in compliance, the penalty is $500.00 per day for the municipal infraction.
“Hopefully we won’t have to go down that road,” Dursky said.
Brad Reiman of Bearence updated the Supervisors on the county’s health plan. The six month review had been delayed until after the special election.
The county is self funded up to a $45,000 limit, “anything in excess of that a reinsurance carrier, which happens to be Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, will reimburse the county. So, if you have somebody with a catastrophic claim of $70,000, your reimbursed.” Reiman said.
Reiman then explained that the county is also protected by a cap, “As those claims accumulate under $45,000, there is a cap on the other side that says, once your group of all those claims under $45,000 reach a certain number, then we will also reimburse you. And the county’s elected to protect themselves and has as long as I have been a consultant,” Reiman further explained.
Reiman was also asked to speak about Bearence capabilities in helping the county with human resource capabilities.
The Mahaska County Secondary Roads moved plans forward to resurface county road T39 beginning at the intersection of Gambel Ave, going north and east along T39 to the south abutment of the bridge that goes over the Muchakinock Creek at Beacon.
Also discussed was setting a public hearing for reclassification of Merino Avenue from 135th to 140th in Union Township from a classification “B” to “C”.
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