CEDAR COUNTY COMMISSION

The Cedar County Commission met December 16,2024. Present: Kenneth Thornton; Presiding Commissioner; Ted Anderson, Southern Commissioner; Don Boultinghouse, Northern Commissioner; and Heather York, County Clerk.

Peggy Kenney, Treasurer addressed concerns over the appointment process for her position. There has been discussion that the Governor’s Office will not be making any new appointments and that current vacancies will not be refilled until the new Governor takes office. If this is the case, it prohibits the county from conducting proper business without a treasurer. The job posting through the Governor’s Office will close on 12/17/24. Selecting an appointment for anyone other than whom the Governor intends to appoint will create extra work and potential issues particularly with banking changes.

Motion by Anderson to appoint Peggy Kenney as the interim Treasurer until the Governor makes his appointment, seconded by Boultinghouse. Anderson – Yes; Boultinghouse – Yes; Thornton – Yes

Kenney discussed concerns of increased frequency in voiding and re-issuing checks to vendors for payments issued but not received. This appears to be a mail delay. The current concern is for utility bills. While it is not a preferred practice by the current Treasurer and County Clerk to do ACH for all payment processing, both agree to process all payroll AP checks, and utility bills by ACH from now on. The Commission supports the recommended change.

Assessor Leah Morton presented weekly court order reports 12/10/24-12/13/24. Approved and signed 2025 GIS Parcel Maintenance agreement with website.

Chief Deputy Jeffries presented weekly report on Inmate Housing Cedar-13; Dade-11; Barton-4; Polk-l=29

Discussed policy changes for the application to the Traffic Enforcement Agreement. The Commission requested lighting be checked out in the parking garage as the timer might need to be extended by 30 minutes or an hour.

Collector LisaNelson presented weekly court orders 121230-121283,121285-121291.

Motion by Thornton to approve the 2025 Paid Holiday and Payroll Schedule with 13 holidays including the day after Christmas, second by Anderson. Anderson – Yes; Boultinghouse – Yes; Thornton – Yes

Chris Dennis, Adjuster from Crawford Global as inspector of our counter claim on insurance. The Circuit Clerk will work on a list of court related expenses that were specifically due to the flood claim. Need to include re-staining of benches and chairs in the courtrooms.

Motion by Boultinghouse to approve the annual renewal of the county insurance policy and terrorism coverage effective 1/1/25-12/31/25, second by Thornton. Anderson – Yes; Boultinghouse – Yes; Thomton – Yes

DJ Ford, Road & Bridge Supervisor discussed weekly activity report. Ford reported during the critical bridge inspections with MODOT last week, there were no bridges deemed ready to close at this time. The bridge with the fire damage was noted as smoke damage, not structural. Hopewell is sound enough to keep the bridge open until it is replaced next year. Turkey Creek will have pilings driven tomorrow and will likely have the work pad by the end of the week.

Danny Green, current Deputy Coroner and Coroner (Elect) stopped in to report concerns he learned at training last week that will affect his 2025 budget and other practice standards. He hopes to work on creating a county coroner policy in 2025.

Rusty Norval, Cedar County Ambulance District Board – Requested remaining ARPA previously allocated for CCAD would be expended for computers for the ambulance and dispatch services with IT services for the next year.

The commission agreed as long as it fits the SLFRF criteria. The quote was approximately $30,000 and appears to fit the SLFRF criteria for public health and broadband improvements.

Reviewed and approved Senior Services Tax Board bills: Cedar County Republican $80.96

Reviewed and approved BRO-R020(19) CR752 Bridge over Turkey Creek Inv.#6 in the amount of $3,529.69,

Reviewed policy updates for the new 2025 Personnel Policy to be adopted for effective 1/1/25. Additional changes to be made for next weeks meeting.

Bills approved.