Jackson County supervisors approve final payment on federally funded road project, multiple permits, licenses and hires

Jackson County supervisors on Tuesday approved release of retainage to complete a federally aided construction contract, cleared multiple utility and driveway permits, issued two retail alcohol licenses and confirmed three county hires and one long-term appointment.

The actions concluded routine county business while closing out a project that had been delayed by a Department of Transportation audit. The moves affect local road maintenance, utility work in several townships and staffing for county offices and the sheriff's department.

Jaden Schekel, Esquire, told the board the originally awarded bid totaled $659,050.01 and the “total final cost of the project is slightly less than that at $659,012.70.” He said the delay between project completion and final payment resulted from a DOT audit of the federally funded work, which examined construction and material inspection records.

County staff identified the final payment as the release of retainage for the contract; a staff member identified in the meeting as Ken stated the retainage amount being released was $19,770.38. Supervisor Nin moved to approve the final payment; Supervisor Mike Steinas seconded. The board voted and the motion carried.

Other permits the board approved included a new pole and transformer installation for Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative at the intersection of Caves Road and 170 Second Avenue, and an underground fiber-boring permit for Preston Telephone adjacent to 430 Fifth Avenue (Z34) related to an asphalt project. Staff said the Preston Telephone work was needed because a large culvert and ditching work exposed and required relocation of the fiber line.

The board approved three driveway/entrance permits: a farm entrance for Paul Gerlach on Caves Road in Farmers Creek Township (site-distance met; longer culvert required because traffic exceeds 400 vehicles per day), a field entrance for Roger Birkin on Twelfth Street in Fairfield Township (site-distance met; no culvert required) and a residential entrance for Robert Riesen on 200 16th Street in Bellevue Township (site-distance met; no culvert required).

The supervisors also took routine administrative votes: they approved the minutes of the April 8 meeting, accepted and placed on file Veterans Affairs Commission minutes for March 12, and approved two retail alcohol licenses — a Class C retail license for Parker’s Pit Stop LLC at 29418 Highway 52 in Bellevue (effective April 4, 2025–April 3, 2026) and a special Class C retail license with living quarters for Oakland Mill LLC at 22095 Highway 64 (effective May 1, 2025–April 30, 2026).

Human resources director Becky Chapin presented personnel actions the board approved: hiring Brian Donnelly as assistant county attorney effective April 14, 2025, at $95,000 annually, increasing to $100,000 after successful completion of a six-month probationary period; approval of Donnelly’s probationary certificate of appointment for April 14–October 14, 2025; appointment of Bryce Schmidt to a sheriff’s deputy certificate of appointment covering April 17, 2025, through Jan. 1, 2029 (the remainder of the current sheriff’s term); and hiring of Caitlin Kuhl as a PRN corrections/transport employee effective April 8, 2025, at $21.41 per hour. Chapin asked for the auditor to issue biweekly paychecks for the hires, which was authorized by the board.

Assistant county attorney Brian Donnelly introduced himself to the board after the personnel votes, saying, “My name is Brian Donnelly,” and summarized his prior experience in prosecution, juvenile court and governmental representation.

Votes at a glance - Approve final payment (release of retainage $19,770.38) for the bridge/road project (original award $659,050.01; final cost $659,012.70) — mover: Nin; seconder: Mike; outcome: approved. - Approve utility permit: Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative — mover/second: Mike/Nin; outcome: approved. - Approve underground utility permit: Preston Telephone (new fiber) — mover: then; seconder: Mike; outcome: approved. - Approve farm entrance: Paul Gerlach (Farmers Creek Township) — mover: Mike; seconder: Nin; outcome: approved. - Approve field entrance: Roger Birkin (Fairfield Township) — mover: then; seconder: Mike; outcome: approved. - Approve residential entrance: Robert Riesen (Bellevue Township) — mover: Mike; seconder: Nin; outcome: approved. - Approve minutes (04/08/2025) and authorize publication — mover: Nen; seconder: Mike; outcome: approved. - Accept and place on file Veterans Affairs Commission minutes (03/12/2025) — mover: Mike; seconder: Ninh; outcome: approved. - Approve Class C retail alcohol license: Parker’s Pit Stop LLC (29418 Highway 52, Bellevue) — mover: then; seconder: Mike; outcome: approved. - Approve special Class C retail alcohol license with living quarters: Oakland Mill LLC (22095 Highway 64) — mover: Mike; seconder: Nin; outcome: approved. - Approve hiring of Brian Donnelly, assistant county attorney (04/14/2025; $95,000 rising to $100,000 after six months); authorize biweekly payroll — mover: Mike; seconder: Nin; outcome: approved. - Approve probationary certificate of appointment for Brian Donnelly (04/14/2025–10/14/2025); authorize chair signatory — mover: Nunn; seconder: Mike; outcome: approved. - Approve certificate of appointment for Bryce Schmidt (04/17/2025–01/01/2029); authorize chair signatory — mover: then; seconder: Mike; outcome: approved. - Approve hiring of Caitlin Kuhl (PRN corrections/transport) effective 04/08/2025 at $21.41/hour — mover: then; seconder: Mike; outcome: approved.

Ending: The board concluded routine county business and scheduled the next regular meeting for April 22, 2025; several items discussed (including a potential demonstration of new voting machines) were noted for follow-up but did not require additional board votes at this session.