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Bremer County supervisors approve opioid-settlement participation, Waverly bridge agreement, zoning readings and staff pay steps
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Summary
At its March 31 meeting the Bremer County Board of Supervisors voted to join the Six Remnant Defendants National Opioids Settlement, authorized an agreement with the City of Waverly on the Ivanhoe Trail Bridge project, approved two zoning ordinance second readings and several payroll step increases for CBS staff; routine claims totaling $109,996.72 were also approved.
The Bremer County Board of Supervisors on March 31 approved participation in the Six Remnant Defendants National Opioids Settlement, authorized an intergovernmental agreement on the Ivanhoe Trail Bridge project with the City of Waverly, approved second readings and waiver of a third reading for two rezoning ordinances, and adopted several payroll step increases for county behavioral health staff.
Chairman Bob Brunkhorst called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Supervisors Hildebrandt and Cerwinske moved and seconded the routine agenda items, which the board approved unanimously unless otherwise noted. County Finance Director Kassandra Johansen and Deputy Auditor Jennifer Bremner were present for administrative items.
Why it matters: Participation in a national opioid settlement commits the county to a subdivision-level release that may make settlement funds available for opioid-remediation programs and services. The Ivanhoe Trail Bridge agreement establishes county participation with the City of Waverly in project development for a local trail and bridge connection that affects county transportation planning.
Opioid settlement: The board voted to elect participation in the Six Remnant Defendants National Opioids Settlement and authorized the chair to sign the Combined Subdivision Participation and Release Form. The action was presented during a briefing with Public Health Director Lindley Sharp and County Attorney Darius P. Robinson and carried on a motion by Supervisor Hildebrandt with a second from Supervisor Cerwinske. The minutes record the vote as approved unanimously.
Bridge agreement: County Engineer Landon Moore and Justin McGlaun, Waverly public works director, briefed the board on the Ivanhoe Trail Bridge project. The board authorized the chair to sign an agreement between Bremer County and the City of Waverly to move forward with project development. Cerwinske moved the authorization; Hildebrandt seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Zoning: The board concurred with the Planning & Zoning Commission and approved the Second Reading and waived the Third Reading for two ordinances. Ordinance #26-02 rezones a parcel owned by Brady O. and Kenzie M. Heusinkvelt from A-1 to A-2 (legal description recorded in the minutes). Ordinance #26-04 rezones property owned by Robert M. and Megan E. Sobczak from C to A-2 (Jorgensen Subdivision Lot 2). The motions were moved and seconded and recorded as approved unanimously.
Personnel and purchases: Supervisors approved multiple payroll step increases for CBS direct care staff and for CBS Program Supervisor Sheena Velez, listing hourly rates and effective dates in the minutes (examples: Reagan Mulder to $15.00/hr. with $10.00/hr. sleep time effective April 7, 2026; Sheena Velez to $29.00/hr. effective April 15, 2026). The board also approved the purchase of a bookcase for 'Leslyee’s Library' on the courthouse second floor and authorized the chair to sign the annual Municipal Solid Waste Sanitary Landfill Financial Assurance Form. Motions on these items were recorded as moved by Hildebrandt and seconded by Cerwinske; the minutes show unanimous approval.
Proclamation: Sam Zimmerman of Riverview Center presented a proclamation declaring April 2026 as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in Bremer County. The board authorized the chair to sign the proclamation encouraging citizen awareness and prevention efforts.
Claims and finance: The meeting minutes include a full claims publication with itemized vendor charges and a grand total of $109,996.72. Notable line items in the published list include Compass Minerals of America ($33,334.06) and a vehicle purchase from Karl Chevrolet ($54,360.20). The board authorized the auditor to issue checks for the approved claims.
Other business: Supervisors provided committee reports (Cerwinske on county health insurance and Brunkhorst on HIPAA and INRCOG Housing Council meetings) and discussed alternative project ideas and remaining ARPA expenditures related to the Bremer County Courthouse Addition and Renovation project. No formal vote on the courthouse ARPA options is recorded in the minutes.
The board adjourned at 10:51 a.m. The minutes were attested by Deputy Auditor Jennifer Bremner. Full resolution and ordinance texts, and supporting documents, are available on the Bremer County website and from the auditor's office during business hours.