[{"_1":2,"_85":-5,"_86":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,73],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":55,"_67":68,"_69":55,"_70":71,"_72":71},"mediaId",6337812,"mediaKeyId","2271460-88615e323d307d921e2433030eda4cc3","parentId",2271460,"title","Supervisors receive budget proposals, approve property sales and routine items; secondary roads and health budgets draw questions","audioSeconds",283,"startMs",231000,"endMs",514000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2271460-88615e323d307d921e2433030eda4cc3&start=231&end=514","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2271460-88615e323d307d921e2433030eda4cc3/thumbnail_231000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6337812/Woodbury-County/Iowa/Supervisors-receive-budget-proposals-approve-property-sales-and-routine-items-secondary-roads-and-health-budgets-draw-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6337812-8e9d2fb2cbf5535d70f9e4c01929828e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770015044&Signature=Cqs2LzUPYOjXpxomQPkO4NBhOu42Vlf-ENltbyks9cu0CJSteNLni-eD0RcARkNuor3JIwBRtGnFdQN51BDycpm2V6ajUGpMwtJKTWX8xjm-6weNy4RITNszcj8EohOJ-i8wVQxhr7N8oAGqmOMaaciVTV6IsVr93J4e486clJJfuN0xLGiIQk39j-FSDp5wf9hnMqYdcsSGfjcqQZBvn6JfDGXRq4USK5~6M4qgvromeJqKRVeMAV~mNJg9HSsDE670mm~nC37hhYfRRMNxVnO8sSkXt3IA1c3KesawwFI~45iipbrzv8pmiosswPtbPyryLi2cZWnsf8VY133-SQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Woodbury County, Iowa","date","2025-02-12T13:28:28Z","article","The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 2025 approved routine consent items, accepted department budget proposals and approved the sale of two county parcels at public hearing, while directors and supervisors pressed for more detail about secondary roads equipment, gravel project funding and the district health fund carryover.

The board unanimously approved the agenda and consent items, appointed three deputies in the auditor's office, closed two public hearings on property sales and accepted winning bids, approved plans for Farmers Drainage District Lateral H and a resolution to vacate excess county right of way on Buchanan Avenue, and received a long list of departmental budgets and budget corrections.

Why it matters: The board's receipt of departmental budgets begins the formal review process for the county's fiscal year planning. Supervisors and department heads used the hearing to flag resource issues that could require follow-up decisions, notably the condition and replacement schedule of secondary roads equipment, the scope and funding of the gravel road improvement project, and the Siouxland District Health Department's reserve level and proposed pay adjustments.

Most motions at the meeting carried unanimously. Board action included clerk- or staff-presented routine items and dozens of 'receive' motions to accept proposed budgets for further review. Several supervisors repeatedly directed staff to return with clarifying figures where reserve calculations, contract terms or long-term equipment replacement costs were unclear.

Directors and department heads who presented budgets or briefings included Wendy Hess (communications center director), Laura Sievers (secondary roads), Kevin Green (director, Siouxland District Health Department), Jason (chairperson, Soil and Water Conservation), Melissa Thomas (human resources), and Dan Bridal (conservation director). Supervisors who spoke by last name included Nelson, Bittinger, Dietrich, Carper and Benninger. County Auditor Michelle Scaffold presented and sought approval for deputy appointments.

Votes at a glance (each vote recorded at the meeting):

- Approval of meeting agenda: Motion carried unanimous, 5-0.
- Approval of consent agenda (items 2 through 7): Motion carried unanimous, 5-0.
- Approval of minutes (02/04/2025), approval of claims, personnel and treasurer items listed on the consent agenda: carried 5-0 (part of consent agenda).
- Resolution approving three deputy appointments in the auditor's office: Motion by Supervisor Nelson, second by Supervisor Dietrich; carried 5-0.
- Public hearing and sale of parcel ending in 5016 (410 Eighteenth Street): public hearing closed; sold to James Brady (opening bid recorded as $20); motion to sell carried 5-0.
- Public hearing and sale of parcel ending in 5001 (2910 29th Street): public hearing closed; highest bidder recorded as Bernie Bahmer at $25,000; motion to sell carried 5-0.
- Approval of plans for Farmers Drainage District Lateral H (on 200th and 280th Street between Dallas Avenue and Eastland Avenue): motion to approve plans carried 5-0; work to be let for contract with target completion by late fall.
- Approval of resolution to vacate excess county right-of-way on Buchanan Avenue (south of U.S. 20): motion carried 5-0.
- Budget amendment (corrections to IPERS clerical errors): Two corrections to earlier budget motions (corrections of $452,581.27 for Correctional Facility/LEC and $11,652.40 for general basic uniform budget): motions to amend recorded and carried 5-0.
- Receipt (motion to receive) of Starcom budget (public safety radio system) and authorization of a surplus draw ($75,000 recommended by board-appointed representatives to lower agency fees): motion to receive carried 5-0.
- Receipt of Communications (911/communications center) budget, including an added communications training operator position and adjustments for E-911 eligible purchases: motion to receive carried 5-0.
- Receipt of Soil and Water Conservation budget (currently funded through local option sales tax/other funds) with an increase noted (roughly $11,000) for watershed maintenance and staffing: motion to receive carried 5-0.
- Receipt of Youth Guidance Services allocation (shelter services claims): motion to receive carried 5-0.
- Receipt of Human Resources operating budget (noting corrections to FTE lines and a shift in employer/employee health contributions): motion to receive carried 5-0.
- Receipt of Siouxland District Health Department budget and supplemental materials; board recorded a motion to receive the budget with an initial staff recommendation to reduce the county allocation by $65,000 while continuing to review reserve calculations; motion recorded carried 5-0 (see body for discussion summary).
- Receipt of Secondary Roads budgets, including roadside management, equipment replacement and gravel-improvement project presentations; motions to receive carried 5-0 with supervisory direction to reallocate dust-control funds and examine driveway/permit practices.
- Receipt of the Gravel Road Improvement Project status (contracted tons and maps shown): motion to receive carried 5-0.
- Receipt of Conservation, Parks and Nature Center budgets and related non-tax funds (REAP and Nature Center maintenance funds): motions to receive carried 5-0.
- Administrative motions during the meeting (recess discussions, ministerial signings) and other departmental receives: motions carried 5-0 as recorded.

What the board asked staff to follow up on: supervisors repeatedly asked for (1) clearer reserve calculations and the auditor's basis for the District Health Fund carryover; (2) more precise long-term replacement cost and life-cycle schedules for secondary roads equipment; (3) options for funding or outsourcing gravel haul/trucking for the gravel improvement project; (4) reconsideration of paying dust suppression from secondary roads funds versus paving; and (5) consideration of fees for driveway and utility permits that currently carry no fee.

The board set no final tax or appropriation decisions at the hearing; the meeting recorded motions to receive and next-step directions to staff and department heads. Several items flagged for later follow-up include formal review of reserve calculations, detailed equipment-replacement plans from the county engineer and potential reallocation of existing line items (dust control, driveways) within the secondary roads budget.

Votes provenance: first meeting mention of the sale of parcel 5016 appears where board administration opened the public hearing for parcel 5016; the hearing and bids followed and the sale motion completed later in the meeting. Budget presentations and departmental receives appear throughout the transcript where department directors presented line-by-line budgets.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-02-11 Board of Supervisors Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 2025 approved routine agenda and consent items, accepted department budget proposals and approved the sale of two county parcels at public hearing while supervisors pressed for follow-up detail on secondary roads equipment, the gravel road improvement project and the Siouxland District Health Department's reserve calculations.","taxTitle","taxId",3851,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":74,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":75,"_40":76,"_42":77,"_44":78,"_46":79,"_48":80,"_50":81,"_52":82,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":55,"_67":68,"_69":55,"_70":71,"_72":71},6337806,"Supervisors press for equipment plan as secondary roads seeks funding; health department reserves questioned",3977,553000,4530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2271460-88615e323d307d921e2433030eda4cc3&start=553&end=4530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2271460-88615e323d307d921e2433030eda4cc3/thumbnail_553000.jpg","/articles/6337806/Woodbury-County/Iowa/Supervisors-press-for-equipment-plan-as-secondary-roads-seeks-funding-health-department-reserves-questioned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6337806-54016263a9633da6ad606b4b65ef5b16/orig.mp4?Expires=1770015044&Signature=jl-0WbRqioj-cwpdaOESQyxAbDlWU8qRErmcZTgxGLdSxk9RYi~qNi3iQ6yvDCUk3IijGsXLLt3owghp7P~pdAjXaWCWK7bMbGRESrC-bK5a4Ws4UseyTlVyj6jmIgQsLk6Nt0118yE6Dplg889EATPLHLCixfDh7kaGbMLVnE6ygolKp-o3G~dHjLjZet6sVBNTqqKG364u9v5X7892IOpD45ZdCdI98WqFFqNOu94wfWcxcfaJpcskMt0cjbFzm~vNArSHr6EZOSDq4rXoZO41SRAXswHZhr~PhBCc5Uy~XrZy9SQkCfCRmIOjm41SLVjQrvBKp~w0AFhVcH~QEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Secondary Roads equipment replacements, the county's gravel road improvement program and the Siouxland District Health Department's reserve levels prompted extended discussion and requests for follow-up during a Woodbury County Board of Supervisors budget hearing.

Secondary Roads Director Laura Sievers told supervisors that multiple work trucks, graders and gravel trucks in the county's fleet are more than a decade old, that repairs are consuming a rising share of the equipment budget, and that the county's gravel road improvement contract pricing will not allow placing the previously targeted 2,000 tons per mile across all planned miles.

Sievers said the department has already spent a high percentage of this year's repair budgets on parts and outside labor and suggested trading older vehicles earlier in their life cycle to avoid repeated engine and transmission rebuilds that are expensive and still produce limited remaining life. She told the board two motor graders, two tandem dump trucks and other replacement units were on the department's seven-year replacement list and urged supervisors to consider additional capital funding or alternative funding sources for equipment.

The board discussed options for paying for equipment outside the secondary roads fund, noting that some capital purchases can be funded from other county funds. Supervisors asked Sievers to provide a full equipment-replacement schedule with estimated replacement and repair costs and to supply cost estimates for outsourcing gravel hauling by truck to extend the reach of the gravel program into more distant parts of the county.

Dust control vs. paving and driveway work: Supervisors also debated whether the county should continue to fund dust-control chemicals (a recurring, high-cost annual item in the secondary roads budget) or reallocate dust-control funds to pave targeted miles. Supervisor comments noted that the county currently spends roughly $150,000 (varies year to year) on dust control and that money applied to paving would, over a relatively short period, pay for new paved miles. Secondary Roads staff were directed to reallocate $150,000 from the dust-control line in the working budget and return with prioritization options (school-bus routes and high-use corridors were suggested).

On driveway and permit work, Sievers reported that county crews have spent about $100,000 in labor and equipment time installing private driveways during the year. Supervisors asked whether the county should charge fees for driveway and utility permits and consider a contractor-approval process to allow private contractors to perform driveway work rather than using county crews, reducing county equipment hours spent on private work and potential competition with the private sector.

Gravel road improvement project: The board heard a status update showing the county had contracted for substantial gravel supplies (published piles and contracted tonnage) but that the current price levels meant not all miles would receive the originally planned 2,000 tons per mile. Sievers proposed targeting priority roads and seeking options to fund trucking and haul costs for more remote segments; supervisors asked for a prioritized list of roads and trucking cost estimates.

District Health Department budget and reserve discussion: Siouxland District Health Department Director Kevin Green presented the department's carryover and reserve history, describing how grant timing, vacancies and previous board budget decisions produced a multi-year carryover. Green said the health fund acts as a cash reserve because the department relies heavily on grants and faces timing lags in grant payments. The board noted the health fund's carryover was historically as high as $3 million and is currently reported in the meeting discussion at roughly $1.3 million (figures presented as historic and subject to audit adjustments). The health director proposed absorbing a modest budget increase through carryover while holding the county tax asking flat; the board directed the auditor and health department to provide a detailed calculation of the reserves and carryover and voted to receive the budget with an initial instruction to reduce the county allocation by $65,000 pending that review.

What the board requested next: (1) a detailed equipment replacement schedule, with estimated replacement costs and life-cycle analysis; (2) prioritized list for gravel placement (including school bus routes and other high-use roads) and options and cost estimates for outside trucking; (3) analysis of dust-control spending and a proposal for reallocation to paving where appropriate; (4) a proposed fee schedule or permitting policy for driveway and utility permits; and (5) an auditor-level calculation of District Health Fund reserves and the historical basis for carryover amounts.

No final appropriation decisions were made at the hearing; supervisors instead issued direction and requested the numerical backup needed for final budget decisions.

Speakers (excerpted): Laura Sievers, Secondary Roads representative; Kevin Green, Director, Siouxland District Health Department; Supervisors Nelson, Bittinger, Dietrich, Carper and Benninger.

Provenance: discussion of equipment condition and gravel project begins in the secondary roads presentation and continues through the gravel-project status handout; district health fund discussion occurs during the District Health presentation where the director supplied a historical carryover exhibit.","Secondary Roads staff told supervisors aging equipment and rising repair costs are limiting the county's ability to advance the gravel road improvement program as originally planned; supervisors asked for replacement schedules, trucking estimates and reallocation options for dust-control funds.","actionData","errors"]

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Supervisors receive budget proposals, approve property sales and routine items; secondary roads and health budgets draw questions

Supervisors press for equipment plan as secondary roads seeks funding; health department reserves questioned