Gabbi DeWitt

The meeting began with roll call, a moment of silence, and the pledge of allegiance. Key agenda items included the approval of the agenda as proposed or amended, and public comments for items not on the agenda. A resolution was passed to approve expenditures and authorize the county auditor to issue payments totaling over $526,635, which included payments for the 6040 fund and the second installment payment to rural libraries. Project updates were provided, covering mosquito control efforts, road closures due to flooding in various county areas, ongoing bridge inspections, and brush cutting. The auditor's office provided an update regarding the mailing of budgetary property tax statements, noting that all jurisdictions submitted information by the deadline. HR updates included ongoing recruitment for seasonal staff and the Assistant County Attorney, noting turnover in several departments, and the commencement of a countywide Generally Accepted People Metrics (GAPM) survey. Other business addressed personnel requisition approval for a full-time office specialist in the treasurer's office, approval of a proposed settlement agreement regarding a Veterans Affairs Commission claim, and a motion to set a public hearing for the proposed Blackhawk County property tax levy for fiscal year 2026-2027. A public hearing was subsequently held concerning a rezoning ordinance request (number 77-305) for Rachel Zappo for 2.45 acres of land located at 301 West Marquee Road, which was unanimously recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission for estate planning purposes, and the hearing was closed.

The work session focused on the potential creation of a County Administrator position to potentially enhance board efficiency and administrative structure. Discussion included reviewing administrative models used by other counties, particularly in the top ten in Iowa, and the implications for department head management, performance evaluations, and policy implementation consistency. The presentation clarified that creating such a position is a board decision and discussed typical salary ranges ($150,000 to $175,000 plus benefits) and the likelihood of the role operating under an employment contract, contrasting it with the stronger County Manager structure.

The meeting commenced with roll call, a moment of silence, and the pledge of allegiance. Key discussions included public comments regarding fines stemming from an alleged illegal imprisonment and concerns over the county attorney's office's handling of information related to illegal activity. The board approved agenda items, including claims and payments totaling $634,243.54, with specific allocations for IT server room upgrades, HVAC projects, and body camera systems utilizing ARPA funds. Personnel matters involved approving a requisition for a heavy equipment mechanic replacement. Capital equipment purchase involved approving the acquisition of a 2025 disc mower. A public hearing was scheduled for March 17, 2026, regarding a rezoning request for 152 acres from Agricultural to AR Agricultural Residential District. A legislative update covered a governor's bill on property tax that changes the assessment cycle and burden of proof for challenges. The board canvassed the results of a special election held on February 24th. The work session focused on initial considerations for the Fiscal Year 2027 Blackhawk County budget, particularly adjustments to the general fund levy.

The meeting focused on a presentation regarding the long-term maintenance options for the Blackhawk County two-way radio system, provided by Raycom, an integrator of communication technology. The discussion covered the history of the partnership, which spans over 30 years, and the components of the existing P25 digital trunking radio system implemented in 2015, which currently covers over 99% of the county. Key topics included the proposal to budget for future upgrades to replace components approaching their end of life, such as some radios and the microwave system. The current maintenance agreement, active through 2028 and costing nearly $500,000 annually with a 3% annual increase, was reviewed, noting that it covers radio maintenance and infrastructure failures but excludes equipment obsolescence costs.

The primary discussion focused on a presentation regarding the Public Safety Radio System Upgrade delivered by Mike Miller of Racom. The presentation detailed the two-way radio network, which supports over 900 radios and the 911 call technology. Discussion points included the current contract maintenance agreement through 2028 at $490K annually. Furthermore, 10-year cost projections were reviewed for infrastructure, estimated at $7.79M (bondable), with a presented financing option starting around $781,000 in FY2025--2026, and for new radios, estimated at $4.67M (bondable), with a financing option starting around $475,000 in FY2025--2026. The next step identified was to confirm cost priorities before calculating the final cost including potential buy-in.