(Harlan, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Shelby County met Tuesday morning at their meeting room, in Harlan. Auditor Mark Maxwell reports in his minutes of the meeting, that Todd Valline appeared before the Board to present current happenings and urgent notifications that are prevailing in the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Valline noted that the free lunch program initiated during the covid pandemic has been stopped, the Shelby County Food pantry is in dire need of food and funding.

Tony Buman, Shelby County Assessor, was on hand also, to present three separate parcels for tax abatement the parcels for abatement totaled $1,760.00. Two were not listed as exempt, one was a mobile home on another owners property that did not get taken off the tax rolls when it was removed several years ago. (The parcel numbers were 832812000006, 830727404900 and 832702000070). All three Supervisors voted in favor of the abatements.

Shelby County Treasurer Carolyn Blum reported her office was having software issues that had not been receiving immediate attention when the deadlines approach from the financial software vendor Tyler Corporation.

Bryce Schaben, Shelby County Roadside Manager, Wellness Coordinator and Safety Coordinator was present and announced his retirement to the Board of Supervisors. Schaben asked the Board to approve Melissa Arkfeld to his position of Wellness Coordinator starting November 2nd, 2022 and the Safety Coordinator position be approved to be Jake Holloway. The Supervisors approved both nominations.

Shelby County Auditor, Mark Maxwell advised the board that his office is preparing for the September 13th Harlan Community School District Election ballot that contains two measures for consideration. A portion of the Annex building has been vacated by Iowa community Kitchen. There are two trees that need to be removed from the Courthouse grounds, the Supervisors advised the Auditor to get someone from Shelby County to do the work. The annual TIF Debt Certificate was presented to the Supervisors for approval by Auditor Maxwell. The certificate details income and expenses by the County TIF ordinances in fiscal year 2022.

The Corley Community Club submitted application to the State of Iowa for their annual liquor license renewal, it requires Supervisors approval. Noting no issues with the Corley Community Club, a motion to that effect was passed unanimously.

The Shelby County Board of Supervisors then considered the expenditure of the budgeted $6,000 to be paid out in fiscal year 2023 for a beaver bounty. Keeping the waterway damaging beaver population controlled has been a boon to county outdoor maintenance departments and has made soil and water conservation structures less prone to damage from the controlled population of the animals. The bounty was then approved by the Supervisors by a unanimous vote after a motion to approve a $25.00 per tail bounty including the fact that the tails are limited to 20 at one time per application and also 20 per person per week.

Brandon Burmeister, Shelby County Engineer, told the Board he is currently working on a wage scale for foreman positions in his department. The immediate need has been found in the Bridge Foreman position. The Board approved granting the bridge foreman an immediate $1.00 an hour increase in wages. The Supervisors then asked Burmeister to continue the wage scale discussions and present the wage scale proposal at budget time. Burmeister said also, a road grinder rented has assisted in the remakes of granular road surfaces. It was noted that the results seem to be turning out very well. Many other current projects were presented to the Supervisors before they adjourned their session.