Black Hawk County supervisors approve claims, equipment purchase and two rezonings; authorize natural-gas RFP

The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors on July 8 approved a slate of routine financial and administrative actions, adopted two rezoning ordinances and directed staff to seek proposals for pooled natural-gas purchasing for county facilities.

The board approved a resolution authorizing claims and payments; county staff said the total bill payment for the meeting was about $774,700 with one smaller payment of $2,575.40 noted from a specific fund. The resolution passed on a roll-call vote.

Supervisors appointed Michelle Wiedner, Billy Joe Heff, Jen Todd and Anna Knapp to the county's deferred compensation committee. HR staff described the committee's role overseeing the county's 457(b) plan; the county does not match employee contributions.

The board approved a purchase of 15 Dell Pro 16 laptops for $17,775.45 to replace county machines on a five-year schedule. The information technology director said older units are recycled after hard drives are removed.

The board voted to support an agreement to pursue a competitive highway bridge program grant for the Eagle Road Bridge over Miller Creek; staff said consultant HDR will prepare the application and each local participant is expected to contribute about $10,000 toward consultant costs. Supervisors asked staff to solicit letters of support from affected school districts and businesses.

The board adopted two rezoning ordinances after public hearings. Ordinance 77298 rezones 1.84 acres from agricultural to agricultural-residential to permit a single-family home west of 10830 S. Canfield Road; planning and zoning recommended unanimous approval. Ordinance 77299 rezones 2.17 acres from agricultural to agricultural-residential at 6906 E. Rhinebeck Road to allow replacement of a single-family house; planning and zoning recommended approval.

The board also directed staff to issue a one-year request for proposals to evaluate using a third-party consultant to pool natural-gas purchasing for nine county sites. Facilities staff said the proposal is a trial to increase purchasing power; staff estimated potential annual savings of about $13,000 based on current prices and estimated consultant fees around $5,000.

All listed resolutions and ordinance adoptions were moved, seconded and approved by roll-call vote.

The meeting later recessed to an executive session to discuss the potential purchase or sale of particular real estate under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(j).