Supervisors Recommend Moving Forward With RACOM
Mahaska County Courthouse
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Monday morning, December 17, 2018.
The main point of conversation for Monday’s meeting was the new radio system for first responders and residents in the county.
Rey Freeman, a consultant for the Mahaska County Supervisors, recommended the three site system from Racom.
The board agreed to follow the recommendation and go with Racom and will sign the contract for the new system after a public hearing for bonding on January 2nd.
The bonding for the project would not exceed 5.5 million dollars.
The board spoke with members of the Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter Board in regards to a 28E agreement.
The old agreement that was in place before was that the county and city would split the expenses of the animal shelter. “Over the years, that kind of deteriorated into what it became,” said Willie Van Weelden.
Board member Jeanie Bieri said she believes that over time, more of the funding for the shelter has come from donation and fundraisers.
The discussion was focused on each entity that utilizes the service of Stephen Memorial, to have a better description in place on how those entities will work together. One of those points of discussion is moving from a three-member board for Stephen Memorial to six members.
No decisions were made on a potential updated agreement between the County and animal shelter.
Sone Scott is retiring as Mahaska County Treasurer on December 31st, and Connie Van Polen has been elected to fill that position. This left a position open, so one employee will be transferring from the licensing department to the Treasures Department, and a new employee will start in the licensing department.
Dave Sedivec, Director of Mahaska County Conservation, updated the Supervisors and thanked the board for being present during the recent walk-thru at the new environmental learning center.
There was a list of items that needed to be finished that Sedivec and the board passed along to the contractor.
The supervisors approved the appointment of Willie Van Weelden to the Mahaska County Conservation Board. Groenendyk and Wanders approved the motion, and Willie Van Weelden abstained.
The board then heard from Ben Hoskinson, who informed the board that it had been awarded a $15,000.00 grant for a forestry head for an excavator. The resolution was approved.
The cutter head will allow the county to clear right of ways of trees and bushes. The head will essentially make mulch of the trees, and not require further work by county employees to remove debris.
The Mahaska County Compensation Board gave its recommendation for pay increases for county officials, which includes a 6% percent increase for the county attorney, 8% for the sheriff, and 3% for the remaining elected officials.
No motion was made on the proposal and will be tabled until the January 2nd, 2019.
The board approved the G-71 road project. The motion passed unanimously.
Steve Parker will join the board on January 2nd. Willie Van Weelden attended his last regular meeting as a supervisor after serving the board for 16 years.
