Pocahontas County board terminates HR consultant, approves road sealing contract, switches benefits administrator and clears routine licenses and invoices

The Pocahontas County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 15 approved a series of personnel, procurement and routine administrative actions.

Clarence Siepker moved to terminate the county's contract with HR consultant Paul Greufe, effective Oct. 31, 2024, and to contract with Renee Von Bokern; the motion, seconded by Brent Aden, passed unanimously. Auditor Nita Hinrickson said she would prepare a wage‑survey report after the election, citing an ISAC survey in which 97 counties participated.

The board approved the insurance committee's recommendation to switch benefits administration from Benefits, Inc. to Midwest Group Benefits, which is owned by Assured Partners. Jeff Ives moved and Clarence Siepker seconded the motion; the committee estimated the change would save the county about $200 annually on the administrative fee and cited customer service and payment delays by the prior administrator as reasons for the switch.

Road and utility items approved included an application from MidAmerican Energy for underground construction across organized drainage district lands and an Iowa DOT application and agreement for highway right‑of‑way use; both were approved on motion by Brent Aden and second by Clarence Siepker. The board also approved an additional Bargen quote to fill and seal cracks on a seven‑mile stretch of N65 for $108,975.00 (motion Brent Aden, second Louis Stauter). Tate Schmeling reported Bargen is finishing the original sealing contract and that the additional work covers mileage not included in the original bid.

Other routine approvals included a liquor license for the Fonda Golf Club; the Treasurer's quarterly investment report; invoices for drainage‑related work (JT DD 63 Luft & Sons $345.55 for an animal guard; Jacobson‑Westergard $420.00 for drone video review and $752.25 for an engineer's report and filing); and a manure‑management filing for Farm 124‑Lampe B (ID#61613) listing New Fashion Pork, LLP as owner and Sarah Withers as contact. All motions were approved unanimously as recorded in the minutes.

During the weekly‑reports portion of the meeting supervisors summarized local concerns including drainage (Ives), law enforcement center and safety items (Smith), and solid‑waste and community events (Aden). Resident Dan Feistner asked about additional parking‑lot lighting and noted an email from Laurens City Clerk Hilary Reed requesting a short‑term contract with the sheriff's department for policing; a follow‑up meeting was scheduled for Oct. 16 at 1:00 p.m.

The board adjourned after completing the agenda. Several items referenced ongoing work (the Sherman Box Culvert project has started) or awaiting recommendations (Economic Development Board review of a solar company representative), and no further votes were recorded on those items at the meeting.