(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, this (Tuesday) morning drew lots to determine staggered term limits for each member of the Compensation Board, and passed a resolution to establish a County Compensation Board. The first group with 4-year term limits include Treasurer, Sheriff, Auditor and Recorder, The second group with 2-year term limits include Board of Supervisors, Attorney and Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Donna Robinson…

The Compensation Board, which is typically comprised of representatives from each County department. The resolution is retroactive to July 1, 2024. The Compensation Board recommends salary levels or increases to the supervisors during each fiscal year’s budget process. This past July, those types of boards were eliminated under a bill approved by the Iowa Legislature and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds. County officials then had the option of whether to reinstate comp boards, or assume their responsibilities.

In other business, the Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County act to approve: a contract lease with Life Unposed, LLC, with regard to the Highland Annex. The agreement is similar to that the County has with Family Connections. The only difference is the square footage and price per footage; and, they approved abatement of taxes for certain, City of Elliott-owned properties/parcels, in the amount of $636.

The Board continued discussion with regard to a Public Comment Policy for their meetings. Supervisor Board Chair Mike Olsen said the proposed (DRAFT) policy calls for speakers to talk on an agenda matter for no more than three-minutes at the beginning, and no more than 30-minutes, at the end.

There would be no more than two speakers allowed on each agenda topic. The proposed policy is based on one Pottawattamie County has had for about 2 ½ -years, and would call for a recording of the proceedings be “Paused,” during the public comment period. Auditor Jill Ozuna…

Ozuna said for those who appear on Zoom and wish to speak, that they be asked at the beginning of the meeting if they wish to be added to the agenda so they can be included on the sign-in sheet. Supervisor Donna Robinson…

Supervisors Mark Peterson and Randy Cooper agreed with keeping the comments civil, but were not supportive of comments included at the end of the meeting. Cooper also agreed with Donna Robinson, that what they have now is not broken. Supervisor Olson said he feels “A more structured policy on public comments.” He said he would entertain members of the Board making changes to the draft policy, and bring it back in January for a vote.

And, Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert provided the Board with the weekly, Secondary Roads Department report.