By BARBARA PROFFITT | January 11, 2023

The Linn County Commissioners met on Monday, Jan. 9, with all three commissioners present with the first action to approve the minutes of the last meeting.

Commissioners approved the claims in the amount of $153,809.26.

That was followed by a few words from exiting Commissioner Rick James who thanked his community for believing in him and his fellow commissioners for the work they had done together during his time as commissioner.

County Clerk David Lamb then swore in newly elected Commissioner Jason Hightower and Commissioner Jim Johnson presented former Commissioner Rick James with a plaque commemorating his two terms in office. A brief recess was then taken in honor of James.

Upon resuming regular session, Lamb noted the commissioners needed to set the structure of the commission for the year and Commissioner Johnson moved that Commissioner Danny McCullough be named chair for 2023 with Commissioner Hightower as vice-chair and the motion carried on a 3-0 vote.

Commissioners approved moving the meeting scheduled for Monday, Jan. 16 to Tuesday, Jan. 17 due to Martin Luther King Day.

McCullough read the Sheriff’s monthly fees report into the record and it was accepted as presented by the commissioners.

The parks report for 2022 was presented to the commissioners showing an overall profit of $41,254.80 for the year and commissioners accepted the report.

AMR reported on transport numbers for the week and Missy Lancaster with the Linn County Health Department reported on numbers for the health department.

Linn County Fire Chief Randy Hegwald reported his department had responded to 15 calls in the last week.

Public Works administrator Shaun West told commissioners they will be interviewing this week for positions available in the Road and Bridge Department and requested a five-minute executive session for legal matters.

McCullough asked about an agreement regarding State Line Road and West noted he would have to look into it.

Commissioners then entered into executive session for five minutes for legal matters with West. No action was taken following the session.

Undersheriff Bobby Johnson spoke to commissioners regarding the holiday time for emergency personnel. Johnson noted that it had come to their attention that though his staff is working 12-hour shifts, they were only paid 8 hours time and a half for their holiday pay. Johnson also noted that sick time is accruing at 8 hours per month rather than the 12 hours they actually work and asked commissioners to consider adjusting both.

Following a brief discussion, commissioners voted to make holiday time match the shift worked; however, they opted to delve further into the sick time accrual before making a decision.

Sheriff Kevin Friend reported on his numbers for the week, and then asked commissioners their thoughts on a bundle maintenance package for all generators in the county. Following a discussion on the matter, commissioners opted to let Friend meet with the representatives on the Jan. 27 and report back to them on costs associated at the following meeting.

Friend then spoke to commissioners regarding wage disparities between what the county offers and what surrounding counties are offering for the same positions. (See related article in this edition.)

Jessica Hightower reported to commissioners that the county is automatically eligible for a grant this year that was applied for and not received last year and asked whether to let the application stand or cancel it. Commissioners agreed to let the application stand.

West then reported on a contract with Terracon for engineering the build-up of the berm on cells 2-6 at the landfill. (See related article in this edition.)

Commissioners approved the following CUPs:

22-07: a renewal for The Barn Church, with no time limit and no conditions other than those listed in the CUP.

22-08: a renewal for Dave Eastwood for the Centerville Pumphouse venue with no time limit and no conditions other than those listed in the CUP.

22-09: Rocky Suns Farms allowing retail sales on the farm at 10062 W. 2200 Road, Parker.

22-10: for Nature Connect Survival School for a camping and survival school near La Cygne, 13795 E. 1825th Terrace, for three years with the conditions of no firearms and adhere to red flag warning for camp fires.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Darin Wilson requested an executive session for ten minutes for legal matters. No action was taken following the session.