Calhoun County supervisors adopt right-of-way policy, authorize drainage work orders, approve hire and back a $5,000 Boost Grant match

Rockwell City, Iowa — The Calhoun County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a series of administrative and infrastructure measures, including a new Right of Way Payment Policy, multiple drainage work orders and a personnel hire, and voted to back a local match for an economic development grant.

Chairman Dave George and his fellow supervisors approved the Right of Way Payment Policy after a department update from Calhoun/Sac County Engineer Nick Buse. The motion to adopt the payment policy was made by Cory Ridgely and seconded by Scott Jacobs; the action passed unanimously.

The board also heard a teleconference with Webster County concerning work orders C-01-2025 and C-02-2025 for joint drainage district 31 Cal-16 Web and work orders C-22-2024 and C-25-2024 for 12 Cal-22 Web; the meeting minutes refer readers to the Auditor’s office for the teleconference record and supporting documents.

Later in the meeting supervisors voted, on a motion by Scott Jacobs seconded by Cory Ridgely, to approve additional drainage work orders C-27-2024, C-06-2024, C-26-2024, C-30-2024 and C-03-2025. The board recorded the vote as "ayes all." The county’s drainage work orders authorize county action and expenditures tied to maintenance or repair of specified drainage districts; full work-order documents are available from the Auditor.

Cathy Voith, the county recorder, requested and received board approval to hire Brielle Wiese as part-time office staff up to 15 hours per week at $16 per hour. The motion was made by Cory Ridgely and seconded by Scott Jacobs and carried unanimously.

On economic development, Theresa Hildreth, the county’s Economic Development Director, asked for board support for a Boost Grant application. The supervisors voted to support the application with a $5,000 local match and to serve as fiscal agent if necessary; that motion was made by Scott Jacobs and seconded by Cory Ridgely.

Public Health Director Barb Riley presented department updates and the board approved an annual review structure for the Environmental Health Management Team to include the Board of Health chair, a Board of Supervisors member and the Public Health Administrator. That motion was made by Scott Jacobs and seconded by Cory Ridgely.

The board reviewed and allowed routine financial items, including claims checks numbered 78411–78567, bank drafts DFT0004678–0004701 and stamped warrants 505801–505804. On a motion by Cory Ridgely, seconded by Scott Jacobs, the board accepted those items as endorsed. Supervisors also approved fourth-quarter reports through Dec. 31, 2024 for the Calhoun County Historical Society, the County Recorder and the County Auditor, and reviewed time sheets for several county employees; the motion to accept those reports passed unanimously.

Nick Buse and John Torbert of the Iowa Drainage District Association provided updates during the meeting. No members of the public spoke during the public-comment period.

The board adjourned and set its next regular meeting for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

Votes at a glance - Agenda approval (correction noted): motion Ridgely / second Jacobs — outcome: approved (ayes all). - Right of Way Payment Policy: motion Ridgely / second Jacobs — outcome: approved (ayes all). - Hire of Brielle Wiese (part time, up to 15 hrs/week at $16/hr): motion Ridgely / second Jacobs — outcome: approved (ayes all). - Boost Grant support ($5,000 local match, county to serve as fiscal agent if needed): motion Jacobs / second Ridgely — outcome: approved (ayes all). - Environmental Health Management Team annual review structure: motion Jacobs / second Ridgely — outcome: approved (ayes all). - Drainage work orders C-27-2024, C-06-2024, C-26-2024, C-30-2024, C-03-2025: motion Jacobs / second Ridgely — outcome: approved (ayes all). - Claims, bank drafts and stamped warrants review and allowance: motion Ridgely / second Jacobs — outcome: approved (ayes all). - Fourth-quarter reports and time-sheet reviews: motion Jacobs / second Ridgely — outcome: approved (ayes all).