NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS — The resignation of now former Tama County Weed Commissioner and Planning and Zoning Administrator Bob Vokoun, center, was accepted effective immediately by the board of supervisors on Monday morning.

With an overcast sky abundant with heavy clouds, the weekly Tama County Supervisors meeting was well attended. What was listed on this week’s agenda as a possible closed session instead remained gaping open for the public to bear witness to the proceedings. Bob Vokoun, the Tama County weed commissioner and Planning and Zoning administrator, took center stage, sitting next to the titular head of Tama County’s outsourced HR management service, Paul Greufe. After taking umbrage at the wording of Mr. Greufe’s introductory sentence, stating that he was voluntarily resigning, Vokoun went into an explanation of what led him to make the decision himself to resign.

“About three weeks ago, I started making it known to people that I was planning on resigning the position because of the fact it was taking up so much time, and it, I was very concerned about all of the items coming in. With lawsuits, and everything, and taking up more time I expressed my concerns to you folks about a number of the items, and my concern about what it’s going to cost the county, and the time it’s going to be taking and I don’t see where it’s going to be taking less time we got right now with my hours and stuff I have,” he said.

Mr. Vokoun then went on to talk about all of the hours that he has worked in the position.

“It was based on when I was hired at 15 hours a week, so that’s, right now I’m 26 hours away from having all the hours for the year. I keep track of all the hours. When I was hired I was informed to keep track of these, and if we were to start running into all these issues which you know were, I assume we have no idea what’s all gonna go on, then we would be looking at compensation for that,” he said. As you are well aware I do not, I haven’t turned in any mileage, I haven’t asked, I declined any cell phone reimbursement, and I’m trying to do a job for the county. Not to toot my own horn, but I feel I’m very dedicated to this and wanting to have everything taken care of.”

Vokoun went on to talk about how people get angered waiting for responses and how the main hold-up is usually waiting on the attorneys to OK everything. He talked about how he didn’t care about wind or solar, he was just following the attorney’s instructions, treading carefully not to chance another lawsuit for the county.

Vokoun also spoke about how much time he spends dealing with the lawsuits against the county and predicted more would be on the horizon.

“This is starting to take up way more than what it should, and with all these lawsuits being filed. There’s gonna be more, and you know I’m sorry, but I don’t have the time to be taking all of that if I’m not being compensated,” he said. “I’m very concerned about some of these resolutions, and what I hear coming down. I know that there’s more lawsuits coming. I hate to see that.”

Vokoun made it clear that even though he was resigning, he was still happy to work until May 1 so that wheels would remain in motion. Vokoun also volunteered to show his replacement where things are and how things are done.

The supervisors decided to accept Vokoun’s resignation effective immediately, but that he would still be paid until May 1. Flabbergasted, confused, and in a state of awe, Vokoun wasn’t sure why he was being asked to leave straight away when he would be paid till May 1 and was willing to work untl then.

The public was vocal after the meeting with many stating thanks for all of the work Bob Vokoun had done in the position. Others were bewildered by the supervisors’ decision. Some suggested that more hours should be added to the position.

The next day, Tuesday, a special meeting was held in the morning in order to appoint an interim planning and zoning administrator and weed commissioner. Chris Behrens, the Environmental Health Officer and Sanitarian, was selected for the position. The supervisors also approved posting the open position of weed and zoning commissioner. Although discussed, they did not extend the hours — currently, it will remain a part-time 15-hour-a-week position.

Also during the meeting, Tama County Engineer Ben Daleske gave his report stating that they’ve finished hauling rock on Abbott Avenue South of 350th Street and 220th Street west of V18. Blades were out working on level B roads before the rain. Hydroseeding was done on 215th St last week and this week it will be done on the B Avenue regrade. The wind delayed getting the rest of the old shop torn down, hopefully it will be finished this week. They are also working on cleaning the culverts on E66.

A public hearing was held on the possible repeal of Tama County Ordinance VI.5(6.5), the Wind Energy Conversion Assessment Ordinance. Some small comments and bits of discussion were had. After the hearing closed, the Supervisors approved waiving the second and third hearings. They then decided to put possible action on the repeal of the ordinance on next week’s agenda.

A rather quick and rather quiet public hearing was held on the FY26 budget. The FY26 budget was then approved. After approving the FY26 budget the supervisors then approved a resolution that adjusted the FY26 budget slightly by giving all elected officials a two percent raise, except the supervisors themselves.

A liquor license for Backyard Vines was approved.

Sheriff Casey Schmidt talked about having attended a conference at the Iowa State Sheriffs’ and Deputies’ Association Civil School where two members of the Iowa Behavioral Health Department spoke. The main subject of this conference was the changes coming after July 1. Among other updates, the sheriff stated he learned that the jail will continue to be reimbursed for the mental health medication for inmates.

Claims totaling $103,459.07 were approved.