LINN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
CEDAR RAPIDS, LINN COUNTY, IOWA
MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2024 10:00 A.M.
(These are the minutes in their entirety. Archived minutes can be found at www.linncountyiowa.gov).
The Board met in session at the Linn County Jean Oxley Public Service Center. Present: Chairperson Running-Marquardt, Vice Chairperson Rogers and Supervisor Zumbach. Board members voting “AYE” unless otherwise noted.
Chairperson Running-Marquardt called the meeting to order.
Motion by Running-Marquardt, seconded by Rogers to approve minutes of June 12, 2024 as printed.
Brad Wylam, Planning & Development, presented a Conditional Use Permit application by Allan Custom Homes, Inc. for property owned by Linn County, located at 1206 Stoney Point Road. This is the former Secondary Roads Shop and is proposed to be used as a contractor’s yard with outdoor storage. The Board’s signature will allow the application to move to the July Planning & Zoning Comm. meeting. The Board will approve tomorrow.
Lisa Powell, HR Dir., presented a Nepotism and Personal Relationships in the Workplace Policy. She stated that the purpose of this policy is to emphasize Linn County’s commitment to employment and advancement based on qualifications and merit and to comply with the anti-nepotism provisions found in the Code of Iowa 71.1. This policy serves to define the County’s standards for employment of relatives and those involved in personal/romantic relationships working for the County and to safeguard against conflicts of interest or favoritism, whether real or perceived, which compromises the public interest. She emphasized that it does not ban the hiring of relatives, just bans any direct line of supervision and discloses up front any personal relationships.
Supervisor Rogers thanked Powell for the policy, noting that it is good for a public entity to have established and clear guidelines. He stated that he received feedback regarding Section 5 stating that the individual felt that it was too restrictive.
Powell stated that she spoke to that person and added the last sentence to Section 5.
Chairperson Running-Marquart asked if other counties have the Relationship Disclosure Form and a Relationship Management Plan.
Powell responded that this is a template policy and that some counties have those forms.
The Board will approve tomorrow.
Motion by Rogers, seconded by Zumbach to approve Employment Change Roster (payroll authorizations) as follows:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Administrative Spec. Jessica Black Promotion – internal applicant 06/15/24 Gr 23 $27.56 – Gr 24 $30.17 New position
RECORDER’S OFFICE
Deputy Recorder Cortney Hayler Pay increase – 60% – 80% of Recorder \ 07/01/24 $81,176.66/annually – $108,235.54/annually
TREASURER’S OFFICE
Universal Clerk Julie Simons Termination/retirement 07/05/24
Deputy Treasurer Kelly Geater Termination/retirement 07/05/24
COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Criminal Prosecutor I Collin Jacobsen New hire – FT 08/03/24 Gr 27 $91,429.04/annually Replaces S. Wilson
Criminal Prosecutor I Nathaniel Bennett New hire – FT 08/03/24 Gr 27 $91,429.04/annually
FACILITIES
Custodian Clarise Escalante New hire – PT 06/24/24 10A $18.46 + $ .25 20 hrs/wk Replaces G. Niyindaje
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Communications Oper. Kelsey Springer Corrected effective date 06/10/24
Deputy Sheriff Jordan Myles Termination 06/13/24
Admin. Secretary Melissa Walton Corrected effective date 06/08/24
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Child Care Worker Jette Bounds Termination/did not attend orientation : 06/10/24
Sr. Account Clerk Kristin Tharp New hire – PT 06/24/24 55A $20.42 20 hrs/wk Replaces M. Beltz
JUVENILE DETENTION
Youth Leader Brad Prince-Bodkin New hire – FT 06/24/24 55A $20.42 + $ .25 Replaces S. Palmer
PUBLIC HEALTH
Sr Air Quality Scientist Janell White Promotion – internal applicant 07/01/24
39E $38.16 – 40B $43.71 New position
ENGINEERING
Light Equipment Oper. Nathan Takes New hire – FT 06/24/24 17A $23.49
Motion by Running-Marquardt, seconded by Rogers to appoint the following to the Mental Health Access Center Advisory Committee, terms July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027: Annie Battien, Kurt Rogahn, Caprice Jones, Katy Lee, Gage Miskimen, Rob Lancaster and Sara Kohl.
Adjournment at 10:09 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
JOEL D. MILLER, Linn County Auditor
By: Rebecca Shoop, Deputy Auditor
APPROVED BY:
KIRSTEN RUNNING-MARQUARDT, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors
Published in the MVL Sun, June 27, 2024