Clarke County supervisors adopt wastewater ordinance after public hearing; approve hires, tech assessment and weekly claims

Chairman Randy Dunbar called the Clarke County Board of Supervisors to order at 9:00 a.m. on May 18, 2026, at the Clarke County Courthouse. Supervisors Randy Dunbar, Dean Robins and Brian Sorensen were present; County Auditor Jessica Graves and Clarke County Sanitation Director David Rhodes also attended.

The board opened a public hearing on the proposed wastewater treatment and disposal system ordinance (Res 26-082). Supervisor Brian Sorensen moved to open the hearing at 9:00 a.m., seconded by Dean Robins. Clarke County Sanitation Director David Rhodes explained the need for the ordinance and outlined its details; no objections were received in person or in writing. The board closed the hearing and the record shows the vote as "Ayes": Randy Dunbar, Dean Robins and Brian Sorensen, "Nays": none.

The board approved several personnel actions. By unanimous vote (Res 26-083), the board hired Sidnie Baier as Clarke County Law Clerk effective Aug. 3, 2026, at an annual salary of $72,000; the resolution states that after Baier passes the bar exam she will become Assistant Clarke County Attorney with a salary of $80,000 per year. Johanna Olson, Clarke County Attorney, was present for part of the meeting and later left at 9:15 a.m.

The board also approved (Res 26-084) the hire of Lawra Mathes as Zoning & Engineer Coordinator at $25.00 per hour, with payroll to be split 50% from zoning funds and 50% from the secondary road fund; the position is effective May 26, 2026. The motion was moved by Supervisor Brian Sorensen and seconded by Dean Robins; recorded votes were unanimous.

On a separate agenda item (Res 26-085), the board approved a Statement of Work agreement with ICIT to perform a technology assessment for the county; the motion passed unanimously. Immediately after the public hearing and before later agenda items, Clarke County Sanitation Director David Rhodes left the meeting at 9:10 a.m.; Johanna Olson arrived at 9:10 a.m. and later left at 9:15 a.m.

The board approved payment of claims submitted from May 12 through May 18, 2026 (Res 26-086). The claims totals recorded in the meeting minutes are: General Basic Fund $33,377.01; General Supplement Fund $373.44; Rural Services Basic Fund $545.29; Secondary Road Fund $7,064.91; Emergency Management Fund $68.40; Assessor $253.43. The motion to approve claims was moved by Brian Sorensen, seconded by Randy Dunbar, and passed with all ayes.

Having no further business, Supervisor Brian Sorensen moved to adjourn; Randy Dunbar seconded and the meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.

Votes at a glance

- Res 26-082 (public hearing on proposed wastewater treatment and disposal system ordinance): motion to open/close hearing and associated action recorded; vote — Randy Dunbar: yes; Dean Robins: yes; Brian Sorensen: yes. No objections in person or in writing were recorded.

- Res 26-083 (hire Sidnie Baier, Law Clerk, then Assistant Attorney after passing bar): approved; vote — Dunbar: yes; Robins: yes; Sorensen: yes.

- Res 26-084 (hire Lawra Mathes, Zoning & Engineer Coordinator at $25/hr; 50% zoning / 50% secondary road funding): approved; vote — Dunbar: yes; Robins: yes; Sorensen: yes.

- Res 26-085 (Statement of Work with ICIT for technology assessment): approved; vote — Dunbar: yes; Robins: yes; Sorensen: yes.

- Res 26-086 (payment of claims May 12–18, 2026): approved; vote — Dunbar: yes; Robins: yes; Sorensen: yes. Claims totals as recorded above.

Context and next steps: The wastewater ordinance proceeded through a public hearing with no recorded objections and was closed by the board at the meeting. Personnel hirings and the ICIT assessment were approved; the minutes do not record any amendments or conditions attached to those approvals. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.