(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday for their first session of the new year. According to the minutes provided by Auditor Mark Maxwell, the Board’s first order of business, was to elect officers. They re-elected Steve Kenkel as Board Chair, and Steve Parkhurst as Vice-Chair for the 2023 Calendar Year. Later on during their meeting, the Supervisors in Shelby County acted to appoint Board members to the many numerous, various County Commissions and Committees. Other administrative matters were approved as well, including naming of the City’s Official newspapers for 2023 (The Harlan Tribune & News Advertiser), where Public Notices will be posted, and a list of Official Shelby County Depositories.

In other business, Todd Valline Executive Director of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce was present and notified the Supervisors that the Shelby County Citizen of the year nominations are now being accepted at the Chamber office. He said also, the recent Christmas season generated over $88,000 in Shelby County Gift certificates and all these funds must be spent in Shelby County. The three recent winners of the Shopping in Shelby County contest were announced and two were from out of County, indicating the number of out of County shoppers drawn to Shelby County. It was also mentioned that the City of Harlan has completed two of the three needed hearings to change their Hotel Motel Ordinance. This is part of the reorganization of the Hotel/Motel funds collected in Shelby County and how they are distributed.

The Board approved Resolutions pertaining to: an Economic Development Purpose Statement; the appointment of Deputy County Officials; A Non-discrimination Resolution; and the authorizing of a partnership with the Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund the allows the Board to contribute $1,000 per housing unit assisted in the County, outside the city limits of Harlan, not to exceed $6,000 in calendar year ’23.

Brandon Burmeister, Shelby County Solid Waste Board Director asked for the Supervisors to Re-Appoint certain members to the Shelby County Solid Waste Board. The request was approved. The Board then set the mileage reimbursement rate at $ .655 a mile for County Employees on Official Business, as well as the the days that will constitute paid holidays for the 2023 Calendar Year. The appointment of Scott Markham as County Medical Examiner was approved, along with a proposal that other previously approved individuals will also act as medical examiner. The Supervisors also approved members of the Compensation Board for the Condemnation of Private Property.

They also acted on approving County Employee health insurance costs and benefits, and incentives for physicals/online assessments that serve to reduce the County’s insurance rates.

The Board received FY 24 funding requests as part of their budgeting process:

• Kyle Lindberg Shelby County Jail Administrator presented a budget with spending for fiscal year 2024 estimated at $716,972.00. Staffing issues and office administration does not allow for sufficient jail fund recovery time. The current part time person at the Sheriffs office could be given full time responsibilities that include recovery of funds from inmates with longer stays. The money recovered would be placed in the Jail Room and Board fund for jail improvements. This would lessen the burden on the Capital fund for jail improvements.
• The Veterans administration budget was presented with expenditures for fiscal year 2024 being budgeted at $51,220.00
• Alex Londo of Shelby County EMA presented his Department’s funding request from Shelby County at $867,131 for fiscal year 2024.