PHOTO COURTESY OF HEATHER KNEBEL — The new five-member Tama County Board of Supervisors — from left to right, Curt Hilmer, Heather Knebel, Chairman Mark Doland, Curt Kupka and David Turner — poses for a photo during their organizational meeting held on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

TOLEDO – A cold breeze welcomed the first Monday of the new year, and as boots met the snow and slush under the bright morning glow, waves of citizens went to observe the first regular Tama County Supervisors meeting under the new five-member board, which includes newcomers Mark Doland, Heather Knebel, Curt Kupka and David Turner, all Republicans, along with incumbent Republican Curt Hilmer. The meeting was slow to start due to a fumble with the phones as a call came in right as Doland, the new chairman, was starting off; the meeting then gained momentum to last a whopping two and a half hours.

The more than often silent public comment time was filled with four citizens talking about the two moratoriums for industrial wind and solar projects on the agenda. Both were approved with the intention that the zoning board would have time to get together and update the county’s ordinances.

With County HR Manager Tammy Wise, the board discussed the procurement of cell phones, laptops, and an avenue to stream future meetings. Although cell phones were discussed at length, nothing much was decided on officially.

The possibility of receiving phone calls via an app through the new county phone system to their existing personal phones was just one option considered. Live streaming via Zoom or YouTube for citizens around the county to observe their weekly meetings was discussed.

Wise explained that the equipment needed would cost around $3,300 — although a laptop among other items may be salvaged from other departments, so not all the equipment has to be bought new. It was mentioned that with the procurement of a camera and a laptop, the supervisors could start live streaming next week. The possible problem is the saving or recording of the meetings which comes with its own stipulations under Iowa law.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER — A Tama County Against Turbines (TCAT) yard sign bowls over in the wind along the edge of a farm field near Clutier in the spring of 2022. TCAT has been lobbying the Tama County Board of Supervisors for years to enact a moratorium on wind energy conversion systems (WECS). This past Monday, the new five-member board approved both a WECS moratorium and a utility scale solar moratorium with no expiration dates.

It was decided that the live streaming would be looked into more, and other counties would be contacted as to how they handle the recording of meetings. It was also approved that the items for the live streaming would be acquired at a minimal cost.

The supervisors approved the work experience program through the Central Rivers AEA, which will allow a student to learn job skills while working in different departments in the county for the current semester.

The supervisors discussed the public comment ordinance that the previous set of supervisors adopted. Firstly, what was discussed as the V14 ordinance was pointed out to actually be named the VI4 ordinance, it was approved to correct the mistake on the agenda and related papers. The supervisors approved repealing and amending the public comment ordinance and setting a public hearing to do so on Jan. 27 at 8:45 a.m. In the interim and future, the supervisors will use the Roberts Rules of Order 12th edition and Open Meetings Code of Iowa Section 21.

The Tama County Compensation Board was dissolved after a change in state law allowed county boards of supervisors to make such a move if they wish to do so. New Chairman Mark Doland spoke about the decision.

“The reason why, it’s inefficient, one, to have a compensation board to make recommendations after going through their due diligence, and the supervisors are almost always arbitrarily changing it to something else,” he said.

NEWS CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO — Members of the public including representatives of Tama County Against Turbines (TCAT) as well as attorneys for Salt Creek Wind pictured in the Tama County Administration Building boardroom during a Zoning Commission public hearing held on Nov. 29, 2022, to address a proposal for a six-month wind energy conversion systems (WECS) moratorium and a 12-month utility scale solar moratorium. No action was taken during that meeting due to a lack of quorum. This past Monday, the Tama County Board of Supervisors approved both a WECS moratorium and a utility scale solar moratorium with no expiration dates.

Following the footprints of their last decision, the supervisors changed the pay increases for the elected officials for the 2026 fiscal year. The previous set of supervisors set 3% raises for all elected officials except the supervisors themselves. The new set of supervisors changed the 2026 raises for elected officials to “2 and 2,” which matches the set raises for the non-elected, non-union, and union employee increases. All across the board will receive a 2% raise in July and another 2% in January.

The supervisors decided to appoint Belin McCormick as their legal counsel. The county attorney, Brent Heeren, will remain the attorney for the Board of Adjustment.

The two new Board of Adjustment members, Berleen Wobeter and John Wagner, who were appointed by the previous set of supervisors, were approved to only interim terms of service. Chairman Doland expressed a vague concern over how the two were chosen.

County Engineer Ben Daleske gave his usual report saying that trucks and graders were out due to the snow. The open Traer grader position has to date received 22 applicants. The deadline for applications is on Jan. 10, and interviews will be set up afterward.

An agreement for a conservation employee to help out part-time in the Engineer’s department with snow removal was approved.

The Sheriff’s quarterly report was approved. Claims totaling $56,484.47 were also approved.