Woodbury County supervisors renew $10 million liability policy, affirm DNR review role and approve land-use items

At a regular meeting, the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the county's 2026 liability insurance renewal, adopted a resolution to retain local review rights with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on large animal confinement sitings, and approved routine planning and personnel items.

The most immediate decision was a renewal of liability coverage at the $10,000,000 level. Melissa Thomas of human resources introduced the item and called on a county presenter identified in the transcript as Pat, who reviewed three renewal options and recommended the county keep its existing $10 million policy. Pat said the recommended option was priced at $407,000 for the year, about $50,000 higher than the prior year, and included a $300,000 deductible. "I do recommend the $10,000,000 in coverage for the year," Pat said in presenting the options. The board approved the renewal on a motion by Supervisor Nelson, seconded by Supervisor Dietrich, by a 5-0 vote.

On land-use and planning matters, Dan Priestley of planning and zoning presented the zoning commission's final report and recommended actions on a minor subdivision named the Wingert and Clark Addition, located about three miles east of Sioux City in the Agricultural Preservation Zoning District. Priestley described the split as a roughly 5-acre division that would allow future building permits, and he said applicants must coordinate on driveway and other permits. The board voted 5-0 to receive the zoning commission's final report and separately approved the final plat by the same margin.

Priestley also presented two appointments. The board approved the reappointment of Chris Zellmer Zant to a five-year term on the Woodbury County Zoning Commission (the transcript includes a variant spelling "Chris Zummerzant" in one segment; the agenda and appointment motion used "Chris Zellmer Zant"). The board also approved Pam Clark's five-year appointment to the Woodbury County Board of Adjustment. Clark spoke briefly at the meeting, saying she enjoyed "hearing the different cases that come up" and that serving had been a learning experience. Both appointments passed 5-0.

The board adopted a construction-evaluation resolution to preserve local participation when proposed large animal confinement operations exceed DNR thresholds. Priestley said the resolution formalizes the county's relationship with the Iowa DNR so the county can review the DNR's master matrix scores, examine separation distances from homes, schools and places of worship, and conduct on-site visits, and then bring a report back to the board for public discussion. "It gives us a chance to have this procedure in place so that we can bring it forward to the board," Priestley said. The resolution passed on a motion by Supervisor Nelson, seconded by Supervisor Anh Ung, by a 5-0 vote.

Other routine business included approval of the agenda and consent agenda (minutes, claims, and human-resources items), committee reports (none), and scheduling: supervisors confirmed a LAC meeting and joint closed session next Tuesday, a conference board meeting at noon, and an all-day budget hearing scheduled for Friday, Feb. 6 beginning at 8:30 a.m. The board adjourned after completing the agenda.

Votes at a glance - Approve meeting agenda: motion by Nelson, seconded by Dietrich — approved 5-0. - Approve consent agenda (items 2-4): motion by Dietrich, seconded by Nelson — approved 5-0. - Approve $10,000,000 liability insurance with Obsidian (recommended option): motion by Nelson, seconded by Dietrich — approved 5-0. - Receive final report, Wingert and Clark Addition (zoning commission): motion by Dietrich, seconded by Nelson — received 5-0. - Approve final plat, Wingert and Clark Addition: motion by Nelson, seconded by Dietrich — approved 5-0. - Appoint Chris Zellmer Zant to Woodbury County Zoning Commission (5-year term): motion by Nelson, seconded by Ng — approved 5-0. - Appoint Pam Clark to Woodbury County Board of Adjustment (5-year term): motion by Nelson, seconded by Carper — approved 5-0. - Adopt construction-evaluation resolution regarding large animal confinement and DNR master matrix: motion by Nelson, seconded by Anh Ung — approved 5-0.

The meeting record shows unanimous votes on the listed items and no formal dissents. A note on names: the transcript includes a variant spelling for the zoning-commission appointee; the article uses the spelling as presented in the agenda/appointment motion and flags the variant for clarity.