The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session on Tuesday at 9:00 A.M. in the Supervisors Chamber in the Courthouse with the following members present: Steve Kenkel, Charles Parkhurst, Bryce Schaben, and Mark Maxwell, Clerk.

Chairperson, Steve Kenkel, asked that any conflict of interest be stated concerning any item on the agenda. None were stated.

It was moved by Schaben, seconded by Parkhurst , to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Parkhurst, seconded by Schaben to approve the minutes of August 1st, 2023. Motion carried unanimously.

The latest claims were then approved unanimously after a motion by Parkhurst and a second by Schaben.

The Auditor reported on buildings and grounds inspections and upkeep including door replacements, roof leaks and other maintenance and duties. Maxwell also notified the Supervisors that there are now three Seat II certified (election) trained officials in the Shelby County Auditors office for the first time ever.

The repair to the air conditioning system has been made and another issue has popped up with the aging unit. parts and repairs have been ordered. Bids for a new chiller to supply the air conditioning system have been received, the Auditor presented the two lowest bids obtained. Carrier of Omaha Nebraska submitted a bid of $116,550.00, Carroll Control of Carroll, Iowa submitted a bid of $112,850. An independent opinion was obtained to make sure the bids were equitable, and it was judged that they were very close in specifications. The auditor asked the Board to vote on a recommendation. Bryce Schaben made a motion to accept the Carroll Control bid and authorize the Auditor to sign the agreement. Charles Parkhurst seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. The repairs on the aging chiller have been over $30,000 this year alone.

Chairperson Steve Kenkel then reported that Franklin County has joined in the county coalition that is defending counties in the pipeline issues. Kenkel read the following statement: “Shelby County is appealing the district court’s July 10,2023 order granting Summit’s motion for preliminary injunction. The appeal will be heard by a panel of 3 judges from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit. The Eighth Circuit will consider whether the district court committed err in granting an injunction against the ordinance. The Eighth Circuit will issue its opinion either affirming or reversing the district court. The case will then be sent back down to the district court for further proceedings. Our legal counsel feels we have strong arguments for appeal and our insurance carrier ICAP, supports and will be covering the appeal legal expenses. “

The Supervisors were then presented with Building and Grounds use applications for two fall events, the Forgotten Arts event and the Southwest Iowa Art tour. The Auditor reported that no issues have been reported for either of these events in the past years. Parkhurst made a motion to approve the applications, Schaben seconded the motion, the motion passed.

Todd Valline of the Shelby County Chamber of commerce and Industry update his organizations current events and projects.

Brandon Burmeister gave a report of Secondary Road happenings and asked the Supervisors to approve a utility permit for Windstream Communications. Parkhurst made a motion to approve the upgrade, Schaben seconded the motion, the motion passed.

Burmeister also discussed Secondary Road project including culvert coating being used to extend the life of metal culverts.

The annual Urban Renewal Report completed by the Auditors office was presented for the yearly supervisor inspection and approval. Parkhurst made a motion to approve the certificate. Scheben seconded the motion, the motion passed.

Having no further business the meeting was adjourned.

The Cass County Mental Wellness Coalition is hosting a program on Thursday night at the Griswold Public Library on suicide prevention. Dave Tuttle, the Suicide Prevention Program Manager for the Nebraska and Western Iowa VA, will be presenting S.A.V.E, a suicide prevention gatekeeper training.

Tuttle said it’s important to have a wealth of trained advocates and cooperation between entities since so many different types are affected by suicide.

The S.A.V.E. training program is intended to empower people to be able to help when someone shows signs of suicidal thoughts.

The program will be held Thursday, August 17th at 10:30 a.m. at the Griswold Public Library and is free and open to the public.

The Council Bluffs Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a man reported missing by his family. 29-year-old Deni Robert Jordan is a 5’11”, 170 pound African-American Male with black hair, brown eyes, and a short beard.

His family has not been able to contact him recently. Council Bluffs PD had contact with Deni on July 29th at Walmart on N. 16th Street and he does not have a known permanent residence.

If anyone has information about Deni’s current whereabouts, please contact Sergeant Roberts with CBPD at 712-890-5212.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors met for their regular meeting on Wednesday at the Adair County Courthouse.

During the meeting the board unanimously approved the hiring of Nathan Reed of Fontanelle for the position of Deputy Auditor. His salary was set at $46,216.55 to start. His tentative start date will be August 30th.

The board also received a report from the Veteran’s Affairs Office. Gwen Johnston has been approved as Administrator for the County on August 1st. Her salary was bumped up to $21.49 per hour. They also discussed allowing the former administrator to come in to cover the office as needed. Johnston also talked about possibly adjusting the office hours to be open later on Wednesdays to better accommodate some working vets.

They also have been working hard on transporting Vets to health appointments with the implementation of the PACT act. They discussed receiving a car from the VA for that purpose and where to keep it parked.

The board also heard a report on road projects from the Engineers Office and approved the signing of a Right of Way contract for N24 Prussia culvert project.

The Atlantic Police Department has released information on a number of recent arrests.

On July 18th 31-year-old Morgan Humbert of Atlantic was arrested on Cass County Warrants for Stalking and Violation of Probation. She was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked in and held.

On August 4th 43-year-old Marian Faddis of Atlantic was arrested for Operating While Under the Influence She was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked in and held.

On August 6th 23-year-old BJ Taun of Atlantic was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

On August 7th 22-year-old Mym Attan of Atlantic was arrested for Public Intoxication and a Cass County Warrant for Failure to Appear. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

On August 12th 27-year-old KR Takauo of Atlantic was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

On August 14th 25-year-old Janet Lescaud of George was arrested for Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, Interference with Official Acts and Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations. She was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked in and held.

On August 15th 34-year-old Arson Achibin of Atlantic was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

The Creston Police Department reports the arrest on Wednesday, August 15th at 11:15 p.m. of 39-year-old Santos Olivera-Martinez of Creston on 2 Union County Warrants. The first warrant was for Failure to Appear on charges of Domestic Abuse Assault- Impeding Airflow Causing Bodily Harm and Assault while Displaying a Dangerous Weapon. The 2nd warrant was for Assault.

Oliver-Martinez was arrested at the Creston Walmart and taken to the Union County Jail and held on no bond.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has released details on arrests dating back to July 29th.

On July 29th 35-year-old James Joseph Sheehan of Harlan was arrested after a call for service in the 2500 block of 12th St in Harlan. Sheehan was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 1st.

On July 31st 60-year-old Robin Elaine Andersen of Harlan was arrested following a traffic stop at 12th and Tarkington St.in Harlan. Andersen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Revoked.

On August 1st 41-year-old Glenn Edward Summers Jr. of Irwin was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Failure to Appear and Interference with Official Acts.

Also on August 1st 34-year-old Omar Barquero Flores of Harlan was arrested in the 1100 block of Chatburn Ave, in Harlan. Flores was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Public Intoxication, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Controlled Substance.

On August 2nd 26-year-old Jordan Travis Lee Comstock of Harlan was arrested following a traffic stop in the 3000 block of 12th St. Comstock was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving While Barred and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.

On August 4th 37-year-old Michael Joseph Fleming of Council Bluffs was charged with Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations.

On August 5th 26-year-old Susan Elizabeth Moore of Council Bluffs was arrested following a call for service in the 800 block of Linden Rd. Moore was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Public Intoxication.

On August 5th 43-year-old Melissa Lyn Patten of Missouri Valley was arrested following a call for service in the 300 block of 4th St in Harlan. Patten was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Public Intoxication.

On August 5th 39-year-old Laura Lynn Madden of Harlan was arrested following a call for service in the 300 block of 4th St in Harlan. Madden was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Public Intoxication.

On August 7th 37-year-old Alebert Alexander Johnson of Harlan was arrested following a call for service in the 600 block of Court St in Harlan, IA. Johnson was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Persons Ineligible to Carry Weapons.

On August 7th 43-year-old Jason Robin Conway Emery of Shelby was arrested in the 3000 block of 12th St in Harlan. Emery was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License is Revoked, and OWI 3rd.

On August 7th 38-year-old Amber Lea Nelson of Denison was arrested following a call for service in the 1800 block of Lincoln Ave in Harlan, IA. Nelson was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance.

On August 9th 60-year-old Robert James Allmon Jr. of Dunlap was arrested following a traffic stop at Hwy 37 and beech Rd. Allmon was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Speeding, Failure to Maintain or use Safety Belt, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, and Driving while License is Suspended.

The Red Oak Police Department reports an arrest on Tuesday evening. At 8:28 p.m. Officers arrested 20-year-old Kaydence Reanne Fussell of Red Oak on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault 1st Offense. The arrest took place in the 400 block of E Joy Street in Red Oak. Fussell was book in to the Montgomery County Jail and held on no bond.

(Red Oak, Iowa) –  Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna reports property tax bills have been sent out by the Montgomery County Treasurer’s Office. The tax bills are the result of an annual property tax process that involves determining the value of each individual property parcel in the county and applying the property tax needs of various local entities to the sum of those values.

Ozuna says “The property tax cycle in Iowa takes a total of eighteen months from start to finish. It begins with the assessor determining the assessed values and classification for individual parcels of property on January 1st of the assessment year. The first half payment for property taxes related to this assessment is due in the fall of the next year and the second half payment is due in the spring of the year following the first half payment. As an example, the assessment for January 2023 would have the associated taxes due in the fall of 2024 and the spring of 2025.”

The Iowa property tax is primarily a tax on real property, land, buildings, structures, and other improvements that are constructed on or in the land, attached to the land, or placed upon a foundation. Additionally, the Department of Revenue assesses some property.
Classes of real property include:
• Residential
• Agricultural
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Utilities/railroad (state assessed)
Primary recipients of property taxes levied include:
• K-12 Schools
• Cities
• Counties
• Hospitals
• Merged Area Schools
• Assessors
• Townships
• Agricultural Extension Districts

Current details on property taxes paid and levied are available from the Iowa Department of Management. For instance, each residential property in the state will pay taxes on 54.6501% (from 54.1302%) of its assessed value during this fiscal year. For agricultural property, it’s 91.6430% (from 84.0412%). For commercial and industrial, it’s 90%. For multi-residential property, it’s 54.6501% (from 63.75).

All real property is assessed every odd-numbered year. Centrally assessed properties, including railroads and public utilities, are assessed every year. Residential, commercial, industrial, and state assessed properties are to be valued at actual value or market value. Agricultural property is assessed based on a statewide productivity value, which is a use value. A few additional exceptions to the market value requirement for real property assessment include Section 42 housing and newly platted property.

The role of the Department of Revenue is to have and exercise general supervision of the administration of the assessment and tax laws of the state, over boards of supervisors and all other officers or boards in performance of their official duties in matters relating to assessments and taxation. The Director of Revenue determines the uniformity of aggregate valuation as between the various assessing jurisdictions through the equalization process.

The equalization process occurs every odd year thus, this current year 2023. The Department examines declaration of valuation documents from sales transactions and uses this information to determine the level assessment in an assessing jurisdiction. This level of assessment for the prior year is used to establish the 100% aggregate valuation for the current year. The abstract of assessment submitted by the assessor for the current odd year must be within 5% above or below the established 100% aggregate valuation. In the case where the aggregate valuation for the current year is not within 5%, the Department orders the county auditor to increase or decrease the aggregate valuation to be equivalent to the 100% valuation determined by the Department.

Iowa statutes determine which local authorities have the power to levy tax dollars. These authorities determine their own budgetary needs. The budgets are used to provide the required and desired services received by local taxpayers. Approved budgets are submitted to the county auditor, who then determines levy rates associated to each authority based on the aggregate taxable value for each authority. The sum of the levy rates for each authority is considered the consolidated levy rate for each tax district, which is the unique combination of authorities. The consolidated levy rates are expressed as mills or dollars per thousand. Credits are subtracted from the final tax bill. An example of a credit that reduces the final tax bill is the Homestead Tax Credit.

What does property tax in Montgomery County pay for?
• 39.34% to Schools
• 29.02% to County
• 17.12% to Cities
• 8.34% to Montgomery County Memorial Hospital
• 2.62% to Area Schools (IWCC & SWCC)
• 1.74% to Assessor
• Less than 1% to Montgomery County Ag Extension
• Less than 1% to Brucellosis &Tuberculosis Eradication Fund

These governing boards and councils determine property tax needs by deadlines in March and April. The County Auditor’s office applies these taxing needs to the county’s taxable valuation and calculates the amount of tax owed by each property owner. Oftentimes, tax credits and exemptions are applied at an individual property parcel level. These tax amounts are provided to the County Treasurer, who sends out detailed bills and collects taxes.

Jill Ozuna says “This is a very simplified look at the property tax system.” For questions, contact the County Assessor, Sharon Dalton at 712-623-4171, the County Auditor Jill Ozuna at 712-623-5127, and/or the County Treasurer Jackie Porter at 712-623-3292. You may also visit www.montgomerycountyia.gov for more information on the Montgomery County budget that includes county funds and property tax levies.

More than a half-dozen Iowans are now on the wildfire-ravaged Hawaiian island of Maui, helping survivors there recover from last week’s swift-moving blaze. About a hundred people were killed in the fires and almost a thousand are still reported as missing. Emily Holley, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross Nebraska-Iowa Region, says seven Iowa volunteers are already on duty in Hawaii and several more are on standby.

Most of the Iowans who have been sent to Hawaii are working in emergency shelters, which will likely need to remain open for quite some time.

That emotional support is just as valuable in some cases as the staples of nourishment and shelter.

Given the distance, the Iowa volunteers are on a mandatory three-week deployment. While Hawaii is a long ways away, this isn’t the farthest Iowa Red Cross volunteers have been deployed in recent months, as the agency sent help from Iowa to Guam following a destructive typhoon in May. Holley says it’s gratifying how willing Iowans are to answer the call — and there are many ways to help.

Financial donations are also needed, by visiting the website red-cross-dot-org, by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate 10-dollars, or by calling 1-800-HELP NOW.