Kristi Aitchison

The Board convened in a special session primarily to discuss Fiscal Year 2027 budget requests from various departments. Departmental budgets reviewed included the Secondary Road department, the IT department, the General Services department, and budgets for the Auditor, Environmental Restoration, Capital Projects, Emergency Medical Services, and the Non-Departmental fund presented by the Auditor.

The Jones County Board of Supervisors meeting included a presentation and discussion regarding the FY27 Treasurer departmental budget and an update from the Auditor on the Courthouse and Broadway Place Annex Energy Audit. The Board approved a five-day Class C Retail Alcohol License for the Scotch Grove Coon Hunters Club, effective February 5, 2026. An Appropriation Resolution (2025/2026-04) was adopted, making adjustments to departmental spending appropriations, including decreases for Fairs and increases for Memorial Hall. The Engineer provided an update on the safety committee and a resolution was passed to set a public hearing for February 17, 2026, concerning a grading project on Dales Ford Road, which involves discussing funding and property acquisition for the improvement.

The special session focused on discussions regarding the Fiscal Year 2027 budget requests from various departments. Departments presenting their budget requests included JETS, Veteran Affairs, the Auditor (covering Memorial Hall, County Share of Solid Waste, Opioid Remediation, DCAT/CPPC, County Share of Emergency Management, Employee Wellness, and Employee Safety Committee), the Sheriff (including the jail budget), Environmental Health, and Public Health.

The meeting included public comments regarding the recently remodeled women's restroom and the final plans for the Landis Road bridge. Key actions involved appointing Supervisor Oswald as Chairman and Supervisor Zirkelbach as Vice-Chairman for the 2026 calendar year, and assigning Supervisors to various committees, including the Jones County 911 Service Board, Emergency Management Agency, and Solid Waste Commission. The Board appointed the Anamosa Journal-Eureka and Monticello Express as official county newspapers for 2026 and confirmed appointments for the Medical Examiner and Investigator positions for the year. The county approved covering the cost of a medical examiner investigator class at DMACC. The Board appointed Supervisor Zirkelbach to the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) Board of Directors and appointed members to the Region 10 Transportation Committees. Appointments were also made to the Pioneer Cemetery Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and the Jones County Board of Health. An appointment was confirmed for the Supervisor representative to the Jones County Civil Service Commission, along with the appointment of members to the Compensation Commission for Eminent Domain Proceedings. The Auditor updated the Board on voiding a lost check and the construction progress of the Public Safety Facility. The Engineer presented updates on the Title VI agreement, revised plans for the Landis bridge project, and approval for a Partial Acquisition Contract for a grading and paving project on Ridge Road Co Rd E28. The nuisance clean-up at Monti View Trailer Court was reported as completed.

The meeting included opening bids for the county farm lease, which subsequently resulted in awarding the lease to Cody Hanson for two years. The Board discussed participating as a coalition member for the ECICOG FY26 EPA Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant Application, passing a resolution to authorize commitment. Public hearings were held and concluded regarding proposed changes to the Non-Conforming use section of the Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance 2026-01), followed by its first consideration approval. A Construction Evaluation Resolution for confinement feeding operation structures (Resolution 2026-005) was adopted. Additionally, the Board approved a Class C Retail Alcohol License for The Grove Bar & Grill, effective February 1, 2026, and received FY27 budget requests from Cedar/Jones Early Childhood Iowa, Jones County Family Council, Great Jones County Fair, and Jones County Economic Development. Elected officials discussed salary reviews with the Board.