Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Scott County supervisors elect Maxwell chair, approve committee appointments, hire EMT and approve $1.39 million in warrants
Summary
At its Jan. 2 meeting the Scott County Board of Supervisors elected John Maxwell as chair, approved 2026 committee and regional appointments, named official newspapers, proclaimed January as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month, approved hiring an EMT at $21.24/hr, and authorized payment of warrants totaling $1,385,650.24.
The Scott County Board of Supervisors reorganized leadership for 2026 and approved a series of personnel, publication and financial actions at its Jan. 2 meeting.
Treasurer Tony Knobbe presided as temporary chair and asked for nominations for board chair. Supervisor Jean Dickson moved to nominate Supervisor John Maxwell, a motion seconded by Supervisor Bribriesco; the roll call returned four ayes with Supervisor Beck abstaining, and Maxwell thereafter presided as permanent chair.
Supervisor Beck then moved, and Supervisor Paustian seconded, a motion nominating Jean Dickson as vice-chair; that motion passed unanimously.
The board approved Resolution 01-2026, assigning supervisors to county committees and regional bodies for terms through Dec. 31, 2026. The resolution names Supervisor Dickson to Facilities and Economic Development, Supervisor Paustian to Human Resources and Region 9 Transportation Policy, Supervisor Bribriesco to Health & Community Services and the Seventh Judicial District Court Services Board (advisory), and Supervisor Beck to Finance & Intergovernmental and the Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance (RIADA), among other appointments.
On a separate vote the board approved Resolution 02-2026 appointing the North Scott Press and the Quad City Times as Scott County’s official newspapers for 2026, subject to compliance with the Iowa Code and maximum rates set by the Iowa Department of Administrative Services under Section 618.11 of the Code of Iowa.
The board also approved Resolution 03-2026 proclaiming January as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month. Maggie Tinsman, founder of Braking Traffik, accepted the proclamation and urged residents to contact lawmakers. "Contact senators and representatives to fund services for victims and to prioritize anti-trafficking legislation," she said.
Human Resources Director Vanessa Wierman reviewed a hiring exception for the MEDIC EMS department. The board approved Resolution 04-2026 to hire Benjamin Carpenter as an EMT starting at step 2 ($21.24 per hour) and earning two weeks of vacation accrual annually.
During the personnel and payment discussion Supervisor Bribriesco raised concerns that some invoices under the County Attorney’s Office lacked consistent identifying details and asked that the minutes reflect her concern and that captions of cases be clearer when possible. Supervisor Jean Dickson said she believed some invoices were court reporter fees and noted that detailed billing information might be protected by attorney-client privilege. Supervisor Beck requested an update from the County Attorney’s office on certain lawsuits.
The board approved payment of warrants numbered 344679 through 344907 as prepared by the County Auditor, totaling $1,385,650.24, by adopting Resolution 05-2026. The resolution took effect immediately.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 a.m.
