Jasper County supervisors approve budget and procurement items, OK grant consulting in 2–1 vote

The Jasper County Board of Supervisors met in regular session May 5, 2026, approving a set of routine budget, procurement and personnel items and entering closed session twice to discuss litigation strategy.

The board unanimously opened and closed the second‑reading public hearing for changes to Jasper County Ordinance 51A, which would establish fees for Medical Examiner services and transport of human remains, and later closed that hearing without further action recorded on second reading. The supervisors also opened, waived a third reading for, and approved an amendment to the FY2026 local Secondary Roads budget.

The board approved a one‑year service agreement for the Law Center with Automated Logic for $6,378.00 covering July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Adam Sparks, the county’s maintenance director, presented three flooring quotes for first‑floor offices in the courthouse and the supervisors awarded the $16,630.33 contract to Store for Homes.

Supervisors approved a $20,000 consulting services agreement with Benesch for grant preparation related to the T‑38 Grade Separation over the IAIS Railroad right‑of‑way. That motion passed on a 2–1 roll call: Chairman Thad Nearmyer and Supervisor Talsma voted yea; Supervisor Cupples voted nay.

The board approved two permanent easements for public highway purposes: Parcel 2 (Parcel No. 13.06.400.003), owned by David Todd and Jayne Sue Bell, for $1,570.78, and Parcel 4 (Parcel No. 13.06.400.006), owned by Jo Ann L. Jackson, for $1,350.64. The supervisors also approved the purchase agreement with Stew Hanson Dodge City for a 2026 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD Quad Cab at $39,220.00.

The board adopted Resolution 26‑27 setting the salaried department head FY2026‑2027 designation for County Engineer Mike Frietsch and adopted Resolution 26‑28 approving transfer order #1570 moving $14,919.00 from the General Basic Fund to the Attorney Collections Fund. The board approved claims through May 5, 2026, and accepted the minutes from the April 28, 2026 meeting.

A citizen from Colfax raised a safety concern about shoulder drop‑off on League Road during public comment. The board later recessed for a site visit and review of the Sheriff’s Training Center.

The supervisors entered closed session twice under Iowa Code Section 21.5(c) to consult with counsel on matters in litigation or where litigation was imminent; both closed sessions were opened and later closed by unanimous roll call. The board tabled a second closed session until May 12, 2026, to re‑address the matter.

During a work session the board reviewed its contract with Array (formerly US Cellular); the company indicated it would like to renegotiate the contract and the board directed staff to follow up with additional questions.

Votes at a glance

• Amendment to the FY2026 Secondary Roads budget — approved (Yea: Nearmyer, Talsma, Cupples).

• Automated Logic service agreement for Law Center ($6,378.00) — approved (Yea: Nearmyer, Talsma, Cupples).

• Courthouse flooring contract, Store for Homes ($16,630.33) — approved (Yea: Nearmyer, Talsma, Cupples).

• Benesch consulting agreement for T‑38 grant preparation ($20,000.00) — approved 2–1 (Yea: Nearmyer, Talsma; Nay: Cupples).

• Permanent easement Parcel 2 (David Todd & Jayne Sue Bell) — approved (compensation $1,570.78).

• Permanent easement Parcel 4 (Jo Ann L. Jackson) — approved (compensation $1,350.64).

• Purchase agreement for 2026 Dodge Ram 1500 (Stew Hanson Dodge City) — approved ($39,220.00).

• Resolution 26‑27 (Salaried Department Head for Engineer Mike Frietsch) — adopted.

• Resolution 26‑28 (Transfer order #1570, $14,919.00) — adopted.

• Claims approval and minutes approval — adopted.

The board adjourned the regular meeting and moved into a work session, then recessed for the Sheriff’s Training Center review before adjourning for the day.