Wayne County supervisors approve three tax-suspension applications over lone dissent, table SCICAP funding request

The Wayne County Board of Supervisors on March 3 approved three property-tax-suspension applications to be forwarded to the Iowa Department of Human Services, with Supervisor Todd Wilson moving the measure and Chair Chris Moore seconding; Supervisor Lance Lange cast the sole dissent, producing a 2–1 vote.

The vote was the most notable action of the board’s roughly 37-minute meeting at the Wayne County Courthouse lower-level conference room. The session also included the swearing-in of Deputy Cameron Nicoletto, a multi-item consent package and a decision to delay a community-services funding request.

Why it matters: property-tax-suspension applications can affect county fiscal exposure and client eligibility for state-administered assistance. The dissent signals at least one supervisor’s reservations about forwarding these particular applications without further discussion.

The board handled routine business early in the meeting: it approved the agenda, Feb. 17 regular meeting minutes and Feb. 27 payroll on separate motions. The March 3 claims list was accepted; the claims shown in the record total $270,726.69 and include a $178,186.66 payment to Jasper Construction Services for a bridge project and a $13,289.60 invoice from Dorsey Whitney LLP for services to the board.

Engineer Dillon Davenport told the board two tree grinders are clearing roadside ditches and a roadside mower is working the county’s south-central gravel roads. Davenport said the preconstruction meeting for the S60 overlay took place March 2 and that S60 will close to through traffic beginning April 6 for an estimated three-month period while work is performed.

On a separate motion, Supervisor Lance Lange moved — and the board seconded and approved — tabling the South Central Iowa Community Action Program’s request for funding beds for children until the March 17 meeting.

Wayne County Development Director Kellie Anderson reported there will be no First Thursday Coffee in March, that 175 sponsorship letters have been mailed and that some pledges have been returned; she offered assistance with grant writing. Supervisor updates covered planning and hazard-mitigation funding reductions at Chariton Valley Planning & Development, the pending sunset of the DECAT program in July and staffing needs at 10-15 Transit. Chair Chris Moore reported Emergency Management Commission business including a signed 28E agreement with the Public Health Board, a sheriff’s-office generator installation and efforts to restore fire hydrants in smaller communities.

Board discussion also touched on an early retirement package the supervisors are exploring; Supervisor Lance Lange said three to four employees might qualify and that such a package could save the county money. Recorder Angie Horton asked the board to consider the burden on elected officials if multiple staff retire at once, and Supervisor Todd Wilson said the timing would be considered.

Auditor Michelle Dooley reminded the board that the primary election is June 2 and discussed candidate filing periods and an FY27 budget hearing mailer required by HF718. The transcript notes a discrepancy in a stated filing deadline: Dooley first said the filing period ends March 20, but the record indicates the correct local filing deadline cited was March 13 at 5 p.m. and that different contests have different filing clerks.

During public comment, Don Seams urged that water lines be fitted with pressure regulators to prevent collapse. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn passed at 10:37 a.m. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for March 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Wayne County Courthouse lower-level conference room.