COMMISSION MINUTES, MAY 29, 2007

The Board of Washington County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May 29, 2007, in the commission room at the Washington County Courthouse. Present: Alison Mueller, 1^st District Commissioner, Chairman; Marcia Funke, 2^nd District Commissioner; Gene Helms, 3^rd District Commissioner; Jason Brinegar, County Attorney and Lou Kern, County Clerk.

Chairman Mueller called the meeting to order.

Next regular meeting will be Monday, June 4, 2007 at 8:00 A.M.

The board approved official minutes for May 21, 2007.

The board approved and signed change order no. 2006-67.

The board approved and Chairman Mueller signed 4^th year NR plan refunds in the amount of $11,904.00; 5^th year NR plan refunds in the amount of $9,440.49; 6^th year NR plan refunds in the amount of $16,095.35; 7^th year NR plan refunds in the amount of $13,108.25; 8^th year NR plan refunds in the amount of $6,244.52, and 9^th year NR plan refunds in the amount of $$3,764.23.

At 8:45 A.M. Gene Helms moved to go into executive session for 15 minutes with Francine Regan, County Appraiser, to discuss non-elected personnel. Marcia Funke seconded and motion carried. At 9:00 A.M. the board returned to regular session. No action was taken.

Amy Hoover, USD No. 223-Hanover High School Guidance Counselor; Tim Voelker, USD No. 223-Linn High School Guidance Counselor, and Teryl Goeckel, USD No. 108 Guidance Counselor spoke with the board about a workshop presentation by Joe Cole on Bullying. 729 students and 100 staff members would benefit from the $3390.00 cost plus travel expenses. The Counselors asked for any monetary assistance that may be available from the alcohol and drug fund. Undersheriff Traci Hattesohl, was also present and encouraged the commission to support the workshop. Gene Helms moved to give $3,000.00, ½ to USD No. 223 and ½ to USD No. 108 toward the workshop. Marcia Funke seconded and motion carried.

Undersheriff Traci Hattesohl introduced Deputy Bill Dickson who started to work today.

Duane Bruna, Noxious Weed and Solid Waste Director, reported on maintenance and routine departmental matters. Also discussed was input from taxpayers regarding the sale of the Grant Township pasture.

Lou Kern and Kathy Fritz, Clerk’s office; Roine Tegethoff and Ann Hawk, Treasurer’s office; Francine Regan and Bev Finlayson, Appraiser’s office; Christy L’Ecuyer, Business Coordinator, and Jason Brinegar, County Attorney discussed when taxes on property becomes delinquent as it pertains the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan and also the Restated and Amended Revitalization Plan. The commission decided that delinquency of tax payments begins the day after taxes are due, however, in light of various changes in time that taxes are now due, that participants under the original Neighborhood Revitalization Plan shall have until June 1 to pay the tax in full. Should the taxes not be paid prior to June 1 the participant shall not receive a rebate of taxes for the year that was delinquent but shall remain eligible for rebates in future years. Under the Restated and Amended Revitalization Plan (RARP), participants whose taxes are delinquent the day after the last half of taxes are due shall be ineligible for all future rebates under that RARP.

David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator, reported that he may be hiring private contractors to assist with hauling rip rap and removing bridge debris. Purchase of a used asphalt zipper was discussed. The airport mowing bid was signed. The commission approved a phone quote for fuel from Leiszler Oil for $28,866.25.

The board adjourned at noon for lunch and reconvened at 1:00 P.M.

At 1:10 P.M. Gene Helms moved to go into executive session with David Cooper, EMC Insurance attorney; Jason Brinegar, County Attorney for 20 minutes under the attorney/client privilege to discuss pending litigation and requested that David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator, be included in executive session. Marcia Funke seconded and motion carried. At 1:30 P.M. the board returned to regular session. Gene Helms moved and Marcia Funke seconded to extend the executive session for another 15 minutes. Motion carried. At 1:45 the board returned to regular session. No action was taken.

At 2:00 P.M. the board and Lou Kern, County Clerk, traveled to the Cloud County Courthouse for a meeting of the six counties involved in the 12^th Judicial District to discuss Adult Community Corrections and Juvenile Justice funding. Commissioners and Clerks from Republic, Jewell, Mitchell, Lincoln, and Cloud Counties were present. Suggestions were to downsize the current advisory board to 12 members and 1 alternate per county. Each county would have a commission delegate on the board. Alison Mueller requested that Kevin Riddle, Director, prepare and job description with an appropriate pay scale. Each county could look at the diversion fees as a way to help fund the surveillance that is needed. A meeting with be set in the future with the Secretary of Corrections and /or the Juvenile Justice Director.

Meeting adjourned at 5:15 P.M. and the board and clerk traveled back to Washington County.

BOARD OF WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ATTEST: ________________________________

Alison Mueller, Chairman

__________________________ ________________________________

Louella Kern Marcia Funke, Member

County Clerk

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Gene Helms, Member