Mandy Berg

Key discussions during the session included the approval of the agenda and payment of claims totaling $2,955.25. The board approved the Chair signing the OSHA 300A Form for posting. The Sheriff presented and received approval for a new hourly wage scale for dispatcher/jailer positions aimed at retention, effective February 7, 2026, and approved retaining a recently resigned jailer/dispatcher as part-time staff. The Engineer's report covered the award of bids for two major projects: Project L-HMAOEC--01, awarded to Grimes Asphalt and Paving Corporation for $1,290,943.90, and Project L-LBRW18H--73-01 (Sheldon Ave. bridge replacement), awarded to Govco, Inc. for $325,221.25. The Engineer also provided updates on ongoing maintenance and construction projects. A proposal for a 2.5% wage increase for elected officials and salary employees, along with a $2,500 adjustment for the County Attorney, failed to pass; a subsequent motion for a 2.8% wage increase passed. The session concluded with a budget work session for FY27.

The meeting involved the approval of the agenda and claims totaling $550,797.18, distributed across various funds including General Fund, Secondary Road, and Local Option Sales Tax. Key discussions included the courthouse phone system, where a motion was passed to sign a Windstream contract pending resolution with Access Systems regarding the existing total phone care contract. In Engineer matters, the Board approved the commitment to purchase an all-wheel drive motor grader in FY27 to secure a 4-5% savings, and the Engineer provided an update on increasing equipment insurance costs and a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line project impacting Adair County. The Sheriff's department recommended and the Board approved the hire of Hunter Fry as a new deputy, including the County paying up to $7,000 of his existing obligation to the City of Greenfield, and an extension of unpaid leave for an employee not qualifying for FMLA.

The meeting covered organizational matters, including the election of the 2026 Chair and Vice Chair. Several resolutions were approved, such as setting regular meeting days, authorizing the Chairman to sign contracts for 2025, establishing the Adair County Travel Policy with specific reimbursement limitations, adopting the 2026 County Holidays schedule, and adopting a construction evaluation resolution concerning confinement feeding operation structures. Additionally, the Board designated the official newspapers for 2026, approved the 2026 Board List for various committees, approved claims, set township clerk wages, appointed the ADA Coordinator, appointed members to the Condemnation Commission, re-appointed members to the Board of Health and as Medical Examiner and Weed Commissioner. Further resolutions empowered the County Engineer for certification of work completion and acceptance, adopted compliance documents for Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, established the Title VI Non-Discrimination Policy, set new weight limit postings for numerous bridges, authorized personnel to issue permits for overweight/oversize vehicle movements, designated the County Engineer to authorize utility permits through 2025, and established compensation rates for fence removal/replacement when right-of-way is acquired for road projects. The Engineer also provided an update on ongoing road projects.

The special session focused on reviewing Fiscal Year 2027 funding requests from various county entities. The Adair Public Library requested $16,000 above minimum statutory funding, an increase from the previous year's $8,000. Midwest Partnership requested $33,534, matching the previous year's amount. The Adair County Fair Board requested $50,000 for FY27, an increase from $40,000 previously. Environmental Health requested $48,000, the same as the prior year. DHS requested $15,300, a decrease from $15,750. Adair County Public Health requested $95,000, up from $90,000, with discussions emphasizing the use of county funds for the EveryStep Homecare program. Southern Iowa Trolley requested $9,681, an increase from $9,236, noting challenges with ridership and driver recruitment.

The primary focus of the session was the presentation and review of Fiscal Year 2027 budget requests for various county departments. The Sheriff presented a budget request totaling $2,300,049. The Engineer presented multiple FY27 budget requests covering IRVM, Secondary Roads, Road Clearing, Safety, Weed Commissioner, and Roadside Management, noting increases for most categories. The Auditor presented FY27 budget requests for Auditor functions, Clerk of Court, DHS, Medical Examiner, and County Libraries. Finally, the Veterans' Affairs Director presented the FY27 budget request of $93,700.