Marion County supervisors approve Otley rezoning, set tax-levy hearing and fund jail peer-recovery program

Kisha Jahner, chair of the Marion County Board of Supervisors, presided over the Feb. 24 meeting in Knoxville, where the three-member Board unanimously approved several land-use and budget-related actions.

The Board voted to rezone parcel 329201000 at 1956 Clemens St., Otley, from A-1 Agricultural to C-A (R) Commercial Ag (Restricted) to allow a commercial event venue and approved the site plan submitted by SBS Enterprises LLC for that property. The rezoning ordinance (Zoning Map Ordinance 2026-1) was approved on second reading and the Board waived the third reading and authorized final approval and publication. Motions on the ordinance and site plan carried unanimously (Ayes: McCombs, Jahner, Mueller; Nays: none).

The Board adopted Resolution 2026-26 to set a public hearing on the Proposed Maximum Property Tax Levy for fiscal year 2026–2027. The hearing is scheduled for March 24, 2026, at 8:45 a.m. in the Marion County North Annex, 2003 N. Lincoln St., Knoxville; the County Auditor was directed to publish notice in the county newspapers and online as required by state law (SF 634 / HF 718).

Separately, the Board approved Resolution 2026-27 to authorize advertising and receiving bids for the Knoxville Area Pavement Rehabilitation project, a joint 28E project covering McKimber St. (W. Pleasant), S. Attica Road and 110th Place. The notice of letting is to be published for a March 19, 2026 bid opening; the Board set a public hearing on the project for March 24, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

The Board also adopted Resolution 2026-28, approving the "Employee Benefit Plans of Marion County, Iowa, July 1, 2026," which records the county's contributions and employee shares for multiple medical plan options (Alliance Select PPO, Blue Advantage HMO, High-Deductible Health Plan) and lists monthly dental and vision premium splits as presented to the Board.

Marion County Attorney Jared Harmon, representing the Marion County Opioid Committee, presented a $6,000 request from Full Circle Recovery to implement Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS) for people in the Marion County Jail. The Board discussed program logistics with Jail Based Behavioral Health Service Coordinator Shannon Stewart and approved the Opioid Committee's proposal by motion (McCombs moved; Jahner seconded; vote unanimous).

Board members gave brief updates (McCombs noted HIRTA and an Assessor Conference Board meeting; Mueller and Jahner thanked staff for a smooth budget process). The meeting adjourned at 9:27 a.m.

Votes at a glance: • Zoning Map Ordinance 2026-1 (rezoning parcel 329201000 at 1956 Clemens St., Otley): motion to adopt on final approval (third reading waived). Outcome: approved (Ayes: McCombs, Jahner, Mueller). • Site plan for SBS Enterprises LLC, 1956 Clemens St., Otley: approved (Ayes: McCombs, Jahner, Mueller). • Resolution 2026-26 (set hearing on Proposed Maximum Property Tax Levy): approved; hearing set March 24, 2026, 8:45 a.m. • Resolution 2026-27 (authorize bids for Knoxville Area Pavement Rehabilitation): approved; letting published for March 19, 2026; hearing March 24, 2026, 9:00 a.m. • Resolution 2026-28 (Employee Benefit Plans effective July 1, 2026): approved; premium schedules as presented. • Opioid Committee proposal: approve $6,000 for Full Circle Recovery PRSS in Marion County Jail: approved.

Next steps: public notices and bid solicitations as specified; the Board will hold the hearings and consider contract awards at its March 24, 2026 meeting.