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Board discusses late conservation drainage payments, late fee and next steps
Summary
County staff reported late drainage payments from conservation that incurred a $270.84 late fee; supervisors discussed policy, Iowa Code guidance and whether the late fee should be charged to the individual, and directed staff to seek an auditor opinion and place possible action on the next agenda.
Winnebago County supervisors discussed late conservation drainage payments that arrived after the Sept. 30 due date and carried a $270.84 late fee.
Staff reported they received the bills from conservation on Oct. 17; the drainage assessments were due Sept. 30 when property taxes are due. The invoice as submitted did not include the late penalty and, under current county practice and Iowa law as discussed, the late fee would be owed if the payment is not received by the end of the specified period.
Board members expressed concern about the late notice and suggested conservation provide periodic reports (monthly or bimonthly) to help prevent missed payments. The conservation representative said competing priorities and a difficult September led to the late payment; they described steps taken to avoid a recurrence, including setting calendar reminders and submitting claims on a regular schedule.
The board discussed whether county policy or Iowa Code permits a waiver or requires the individual staff member to pay the late fee personally. The county’s external auditor and county counsel were identified as resources to confirm the legal position. The board asked staff to send a letter to Elizabeth and Kelsey (external auditor/counsel) requesting a formal opinion and to place the drainage-payment late-fee matter on the next board agenda under “possible action.”
Separately, the board noted the conservation board meeting schedule and discussed inviting the county supervisors to a future conservation meeting (the conservation representative said their next regular meeting falls on Nov. 10). No formal waiver was granted at this meeting.
