TOLEDO – The July 3 Tama County Supervisors meeting started off with Ashley Steven in the first public comment section. Steven is one of the homeowners that was going to receive reimbursement from the county after it came to light that former sanitarian Todd Apfel wrongfully approved their septic systems before the payments were deemed unlawful.

“I’m here so you guys can put a face to the person that you are screwing,” Ashley said.

Steven, a single mom to three, who has lived in Tama County her entire life, and teaches Eighth-grade math at STC, went on to say, “I don’t have $15,000 to just be dumped on.”

The declined payments were the subject of many persons’ comments, including the behavior of lawyer Carlton Salmons during the joint board meeting last Monday. When asked if he approved of Salmons’s actions during the meeting, Supervisor Bill Faircloth stated, “Not really.”

A resolution to rescind $51,000 from the Board of Health budget for the 2024 fiscal year passed two to one as Supervisor Curt Hilmer voted no. A public hearing for this resolution was set for July 24.

The Tama County Engineer reported that work on H Avenue is finishing up. The shouldering trucks are out, and Toledo’s Deer Creek Bridge is currently working on abutment piles and will then move on to beams. There have so far been 13 applicants for the open motor grader position with ongoing interviews.

The Supervisors approved HR Manager Tammy Wise as the Title VI non-discrimination coordinator between Tama Co. and the Iowa DOT.

A resolution for the ARPA funds was approved.

After Nathan Wrage resigned from the Tama County Conservation Board, it was approved to advertise for his vacancy.

Claims totaling $138,634.06 were approved.