Chickasaw County supervisors approve FY2027 roads budget, county engineer contract, bridge easement and hire deputy

The Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors approved several administrative actions at its April 27 meeting in New Hampton, including the county engineer's FY2027 employment contract, the county's FY2027 Secondary Roads budget and Five-Year Program with the Iowa Department of Transportation, and a temporary construction easement for a bridge replacement project.

In a unanimous series of votes, the board approved an employment contract for County Engineer Roman Lensing for fiscal year 2027 (motion by Supervisor Cerwinske, seconded by Supervisor Breitbach). The board then approved the FY2027 Iowa DOT Secondary Roads budget and the FY2027 Five-Year Program for Chickasaw County and authorized the chair to sign both documents (motions by Supervisor Breitbach and Supervisor Suckow; roll calls: All Ayes).

The supervisors also approved a temporary construction easement with Andrew and Amber Edson for Chickasaw County Bridge Replacement Project L-FY27(02)--73-19 and authorized the chair's signature (motion by Supervisor Cerwinske, seconded by Supervisor Suckow). The board voted unanimously to award a paper bid to Rapid Printers (40 cases at $51.49 each, total $2,059.60) and to direct the Conservation Director to send HLW Engineering Group's Continuation of the Reduction/Termination Plan to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Separately, after entering and exiting a closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(g), the board approved hiring for an open deputy position in the sheriff's office (motion by Supervisor Carter, seconded by Supervisor Cerwinske; roll call: All Ayes). The board also formally acknowledged the resignation of Deputy/Jail Administrator Jordan Gansen, effective June 1, 2026 (motion by Supervisor Suckow, seconded by Supervisor Breitbach; roll call: All Ayes).

Why it matters: the approved DOT budget and five-year program set roadwork priorities and funding allocations for the county, the engineer's contract secures administrative continuity in the county's road program, the easement is needed to proceed with an identified bridge replacement project, and the sheriff's office will proceed to fill an open deputy position after the board's authorization.

Votes at a glance: - Approve agenda: motion by Supervisor Suckow, seconded by Supervisor Carter; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Approve minutes (April 20, 2026): motion by Supervisor Breitbach, seconded by Supervisor Cerwinske; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Acknowledge resignation (Jordan Gansen, effective June 1, 2026): motion by Supervisor Suckow, seconded by Supervisor Breitbach; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Enter closed session (Iowa Code 21.5(g)): motion by Supervisor Carter, seconded by Supervisor Suckow; outcome: approved (Ayes: Carter, Suckow, Breitbach, Cerwinske, Hackman). - Exit closed session: motion by Supervisor Breitbach, seconded by Supervisor Carter; outcome: approved (Ayes: Breitbach, Carter, Suckow, Cerwinske, Hackman). - Approve hiring for open deputy position: motion by Supervisor Carter, seconded by Supervisor Cerwinske; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Approve County Engineer Roman Lensing employment contract for FY2027: motion by Supervisor Cerwinske, seconded by Supervisor Breitbach; outcome: approved (Ayes: Cerwinske, Breitbach, Carter, Suckow, Hackman). - Approve FY2027 Iowa DOT Secondary Roads budget and Five-Year Program and authorize chair signature: motions by Breitbach and Suckow; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Approve temporary construction easement for Bridge Replacement Project L-FY27(02)--73-19 with Andrew and Amber Edson: motion by Supervisor Cerwinske, seconded by Supervisor Suckow; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Award paper bid to Rapid Printers (40 cases @ $51.49 each, total $2,059.60): motion by Supervisor Suckow, seconded by Supervisor Breitbach; outcome: approved, unanimous.

The board adjourned at 10:16 AM.