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Pottawattamie supervisors reorganize for 2026, give county engineer expanded road authorities
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Summary
At its Jan. 2 organizational meeting the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors elected Brian Shea chair and Tim Wichman chair pro‑tem, adopted meeting rules and schedules, and approved resolutions delegating road closure, contract administration and special-permit authority to the County Engineer.
Brian Shea was re-elected chair of the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors at the board’s Jan. 2 organizational session after District Court Judge Maggie Popp Reyes administered the oath to newly elected Supervisor Keith Jones.
Mary Ann Hanusa, serving briefly as temporary chair for the leadership votes, announced that Shea won the chairmanship and Tim Wichman was elected chairperson pro tem for 2026. The Board then moved through a series of routine organizational actions and consent items.
The Board approved several resolutions that collectively expand delegations to the County Engineer. Resolution No. 05‑2026 authorizes the County Engineer to temporarily close secondary roads for construction, reconstruction, maintenance or emergency purposes under Iowa Code §306.41. Resolution No. 06‑2026 designates County Engineer Andy Wicks to administer and manage Secondary Roads contracts and to execute certificates of completion and final acceptance for Farm‑to‑Market, local and federally funded projects. The Board also approved Resolution No. 07‑2026 authorizing the County Engineer and named Secondary Roads staff to issue special permits for movement of vehicles exceeding statutory size or weight limits under Chapters 321 and 321E.
Those measures passed on roll call votes in which Supervisors Brian Shea, Tim Wichman, Susan Miller, Jeff Jorgensen and Keith Jones recorded ayes. Motions were typically moved by Supervisor Wichman and seconded by Supervisor Jorgensen.
The Board also adopted Robert’s Rules of Order for meeting procedures (except where in conflict with the Code of Iowa), set regular sessions for Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m., and approved several deputy appointments across county offices, including auditors and sheriff deputies. The actions took effect immediately and were recorded in the minutes.
What happens next: The County Engineer, Andy Wicks, is now authorized to manage contract closeouts and to make short‑term road closures as operational needs require; any long‑term or contentious closures would still be implemented consistent with state law and county practice.