Buchanan County supervisors approve hires, tax abatements and road‑plan amendment

The Buchanan County Board of Supervisors met May 11, 2026, and unanimously approved a slate of routine personnel actions, tax abatements, a minor plat and an amendment to the county’s Secondary Roads five‑year plan, the board reported.

The board — Chair Dawn Vogel and Supervisors John Kurtz and Keith Wieland — approved payroll authorization and hiring for two Sheriff’s Office positions. Motion by Supervisor Kurtz, second by Supervisor Wieland authorized hiring Jenna Baker as a part‑time dispatcher at $21.44 per hour, effective May 12, 2026; the action was recorded as Resolution 26‑55. The board separately approved hiring Mauricio Tinajero‑Lule as a corrections officer at $21.44 per hour, effective May 18, 2026, recorded as Resolution 26‑56. The board also approved hiring Robert Gilson as a seasonal mower in the Secondary Roads Department at $19.50 per hour.

Treasurer Gina Mether presented materials on court‑ordered and other abatements. The board adopted multiple tax‑abatement resolutions, including Resolution 26‑57 (authorization under Iowa Code Section 657A.10B) and Resolution 26‑58 (authority cited under Iowa Code Section 445.16). Resolution 26‑59 listed additional parcels for abatement; parcel numbers were read into the record and the resolutions were passed.

Zoning Director Amber Lorenzen presented a minor plat petition filed by Jonas Raber for a 2.7‑acre A‑2 agricultural parcel in Fairbank Township (Section 28). The board found the plat in conformance with zoning regulations and approved it by Resolution 26‑60; roll call on that item was Dawn Vogel, John Kurtz and Keith Wieland — all aye.

County Engineer Alex Davis asked the board to amend the Secondary Roads 2027 County Five‑Year Plan to incorporate additional federal funding that the county will receive. The board approved the amendment and authorized the chair to sign. Engineer Davis also presented a list of equipment the county intends to sell on Big Iron Auction; the board approved the sale.

On operational matters, the board approved allowing courthouse employees to carry over up to 11 hours of compensatory time to cover courthouse closure beginning at 12 p.m. July 23 and for the full day July 24 during RAGBRAI. The board also approved removing some soil and adding rock to the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn and to check with Secondary Roads for assistance. Supervisor Dawn Vogel noted a recent executive committee discussion about public‑comment placement; after discussion the board voted to update agenda item 7 to read, "Please silence cell phone during board meeting."

The board approved the Recorder’s Office monthly report reflecting $11,563.44, the county auditor’s monthly fund balance and department budget reports, and other routine items. The meeting concluded with board and commission updates, public comment and adjournment at 9:35 a.m.

Votes at a glance: all motions and listed resolutions carried unanimously unless otherwise noted in the minutes. Key recorded items include:

• Resolution 26‑55 — payroll authorization/hire, Jenna Baker, part‑time dispatcher, Sheriff’s Office, $21.44/hr; passed.

• Resolution 26‑56 — payroll authorization/hire, Mauricio Tinajero‑Lule, Corrections Officer, Sheriff’s Office, $21.44/hr; passed.

• Resolution 26‑57 — tax abatement under Iowa Code Section 657A.10B (includes City of Independence parcel 10.03.327.001); passed.

• Resolution 26‑58 — tax abatements per Iowa Code Section 445.16 (parcels listed in the resolution); passed.

• Resolution 26‑59 — additional parcel abatement list per Iowa Code Section 445.16; passed.

• Resolution 26‑60 — minor plat approval for Jonas Raber (2.7 acres, Fairbank Township); roll call: Vogel, Kurtz, Wieland — all aye.

• Amendment to Secondary Roads 2027 County Five‑Year Plan — to incorporate additional federal funding; authorized and chair directed to sign.

• Approval to offer specified equipment on Big Iron Auction; authorized.

The board adjourned at 9:35 a.m.