Board Of Supervisors Table Tri-County Case Management 28E Agreement

By Eduardo Zamarripa, CRI Weekly News

On Monday morning, the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors tabled a 28E agreement regarding Tri-County Case Management.

Supervisor Greg Gordy made a motion to table three items on the agenda:

• Approve 28E Tri-County Case Management
• Approve 28E Tri-County Behavioral Health Region
• Appoint representative for a Tri-County Behavioral Health Region Board

Marion and Poweshiek County are the two other counties that are part of the proposed Tri-County Case Management.

Gordy said he received the 28E agreement document late last week and would like to have more time to review the document. That’s why Gordy made the motion to remove the items. Supervisor Mike Vander Molen disagreed.

“I got the drafts in September and gave Julie (Bak) my comments. So I’m prepared to go forward,” Vander Molen said.

Supervisor Mark Doland said he wanted to hear back from County Attorney Charles Stream before voting on it.

“I don’t feel comfortable moving forward with it either,” Doland said.

Vander Molen asked Gordy if he had shared some of his concerns with Bak, who is the Community Services Director. Gordy said he had an issue with that.

“If you follow open meetings laws, we are not negotiating through Julie (Bak), who is the director. Because I think that’s in violation of the open meetings law, and that’s what I said I don’t believe this board has had any discussion on it. So each of us submitting our alterations, or our wish list, to be added into an agenda to a third-party person is a violation of the open meetings law, which I don’t want to participate in that. Just because you did, you know, that’s your prerogative,” Gordy said.

Vander Molen responded to Gordy’s comments.

“I didn’t deliberate with anybody. She (Bak) sent the drafts, she said, ‘Do you have any issues with this?’ I said, ‘Well, you know, here’s some issues with numbering of sections and the like.’ And so, I just shared my comments with her. I haven’t deliberated with anybody in an official capacity,” Vander Molen said.

Vander Molen opposed to remove the three items from the agenda, but the motion still passed on a 2-1 vote.

The board unanimously approved the following items on the agenda:

• A resolution to create a capital improvement fund and transfer
• The payroll addition of Levi Lamberson, effective Oct. 8, for $10 an hour (requested by the Sheriff)
• A liquor license renewal for Peppers, Inc.
• A Hazard Mitigation Plan application (presented by Matt Bauman)
• Area 15 Regional Planning Commission amended articles of agreement

The board also unanimously approved a website development proposal that will allow departments in the county to modify and update their own content. The proposal will be handled by Brian McMillan and will not exceed more than $700.

Bak presented the board with the Fiscal Year 2013 targeted case management cost report. The board unanimously approved the report. Bak also discussed a copier and printer lease. A representative from Access gave a presentation on the options. The board decided to table the issue until December before making any decisions because the Tri-County Case Management proposal might alter how the lease needs to be constructed.

The board also held two bid openings, one for a secondary road tandem axle semi-tractor, and one for a secondary road mowing tractor. County Engineer Jerry Nusbaum received the bids and said he would then give his recommendation to the board.

A public hearing scheduled that had been advertised on the Oskaloosa Herald for Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m., for the road vacation of Section Eight Union Township, was unanimously tabled. The board will advertise the time and date of the hearing.

The next Board of Supervisors meeting is on Oct. 21 at 9 a.m.