(corrects day of the meeting) (Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session at 9-a.m. Tuesday. According to the meeting minutes, Representatives of the Harlan, Irwin and Elk Horn libraries were on hand to present to the Supervisors, the happenings and programs that take place at their facilities. Irwin representatives announced an uptick in attendance at events and reading programs at the library. Elk Horn was represented and told of the appreciation for County funding and that the Elk Horn Library has achieved a 5 star rating, the highest rating available to a library in Iowa. Amanda Brewer of the Harlan library thanked the Supervisors for contributions to the library. Making the exterior areas of the library more user friendly is a goal for the coming year.

The Shelby County EMA requested Shelby County to be the fiscal sponsor for their agency, concerning a grant application. No action was taken. Also, the Shelby County Relay for life made an application to the Supervisors for their annual event on the Harlan Square, June 3rd, 2022. The application was approved as presented. Todd Valline of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce advised the Supervisors of the upcoming Legislative coffee this Saturday and the Annual Chamber Banquet which will be held February 25th.

Brandon Burmeister, Shelby County Engineer, was present to update the Supervisors of his Departments current activities. The lack of moisture in the ground he said has made maintenance on granular surfaced roads more of a challenge. Burmeister has been looking over the entrance policy the County currently has in place, it calls for steel culverts, he advised the Supervisors that plastic culverts are starting to be used in other counties in Iowa, and the only drawback is a burning ditch, that could damage the plastic culvert.

And, the Board set the date for a Maximum Levy Hearing, along with allowing publication. The Resolution calls for the hearing to be held 9-a.m. March 2nd, in the Supervisor’s Chambers at the Shelby County Courthouse. The budget shows there are some increases, which officials say are attributed to: Wage increases per union negotiations and state mandate; Inflation; Departmental revenue decrease causing wages to be drawn from General Basic in the future; and an increased capital outlay for road rock. The Budget notice is available for review HERE.

The tax rates shown in the notice do not include county voted levies, mental health and disabilities services levy, debt service levy and the rates of other local jurisdictions. Regarding proposed maximum dollars, the Board of Supervisors cannot adopt a higher tax asking for these levies following the public hearing. Budget year effective property tax rate is the rate that would be assessed for these levies if the dollars requested is not changed in the coming year.

In other business, Jamie Goetz, Mayor from the City of Defiance was present to explain the need for rehabilitating the currently unused water tower in Defiance. Goetz explained that water could be used for emergency services as well as helping out with neighboring communities in times of water shortages. An ARPA application for the City has been submitted to the Supervisors for assistance in the cost of repairs that are needed. No action was taken as there are currently more ARPA funds are currently requested than will be available.