“Conflict of Interest” Leaves Supervisors Seeking Legal Counsel

Mahaska County Board of Supervisors – February 6, 2017

BY HAILEY BROWN

(Oskaloosa, Iowa) – County conversation about the 28E agreement to build a regional airport with the cities of Oskaloosa and Pella isn’t stopping any time soon. During the February 6 meeting of the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors, distaste for the 28E agreement was reiterated by both Supervisors Mark Doland and Mark Groenendyk, leaving Supervisor Henry “Willie” Van Weelden alone on the other side of the fence. This time, the conversation surrounded legal counsel and the origins of the current agreement.

“We have set aside money in our budget for legal fees concerning the [South Central Regional Airport Association] Board,” Groenendyk said during the meeting, citing advice that Mahaska County should seek outside legal counsel due to a conflict of interest with their current County Attorney, Jim Blomgren.

The conflict stems from the fact that Jim’s wife, Pam Blomgren, currently sits on the SCRAA Board as a representative of Oskaloosa.

“Jim has written a letter to be removed from that type of decision or advice,” elaborated Doland, citing that regardless of political affiliation, Mahaska County does need some legal counsel going forward.

Groenendyk motioned to seek new representation on the 28E agreement, and the motion passed 2-1, with Van Weelden the only member opposed, stating that he found the motion “hard to support”.

Conversation quickly turned back to the 28E agreement itself, which the Board of Supervisors voted to withdraw from late last month. Mahaska County has not been officially removed from the agreement to date, as the cities of Oskaloosa and Pella would both need to approve of it before it could become a possibility. The main question during the most recent meeting surrounded just who had drawn up the original agreement to begin with. No members of the Board could recall and upon bringing Mahaska County SCRAA representative Joe Warwick to the front of the room, he said he did not know either.

One member of the public left a thought with the Board at the end of the meeting:
“You might consider, if you get out of [the 28E agreement], you won’t have anything to say about what the airport does, and that’s something you gotta think about,” he said.

Reply from the Board came only from Supervisor Groenendyk. “Do you think we have any say in it now?” he asked.

Going forward, Board members will independently research representation and suggestions will be brought at a future meeting for the trio to discuss and vote on.

The next SCRAA Board meeting will be held Tuesday, February 28, at 6 p.m. at the Pella Public Safety Complex, 614 Main Street in Pella.

During the February 6 meeting, the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors also:

• Set the next meeting date for Tuesday, Feb. 21. This is a change from the routine Monday meeting due to President’s Day;
• Discussed budget considerations and set a public hearing date for the FY18 budget for Tuesday, March 7 at 9 a.m.;
• Approved seasonal, part-time help for the tax season beginning March 22 by request of the County Treasurer;
• Approved a part-time to full-time payroll change in the Sheriff’s Department beginning February 12;
• Approved an engagement letter from Northland Securities;
• Retro-actively appointed Connie Rodgers to the Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter Board, effective November 1, 2016;
• Learned about the organizational structure of the Mahaska County Emergency Management Agency/911 from Jamey Robinson, Mahaska County EMA Director.