The biggest item on the Tama County Supervisors’ agenda this Monday was once again the Board of Health. At 10 a.m., the supervisors held a public hearing on a proposed decrease in the appropriation of the Board of Health budget.

This is an ongoing issue after the Board of Health approved two separate payments totaling nearly $13,000 in March. These payments were for two homeowners who had their septic systems improperly passed by Tama Counties’ previous Sanitarian, Todd Apfel. The supervisors’ attorney Carlton Salmons found the payments to be unlawful for multiple reasons after being alerted to the issue by an article in the paper.

Multiple citizens spoke during the public comment section of the public hearing, including Ashley Steven, one of the homeowners that was promised reimbursement. A single mother of three, Ashley told the Supervisors that she had contacted four separate lawyers that had different opinions about the situation than Salmons. Ms. Steven went on to say, “Just research it” and “Make sure it’s right.”

It has been a couple of weeks since Ashley Steven appeared before the supervisors. She stated this Monday that she has, to date, received no apologies from any of the supervisors. However, she had been reached out to by Tammy Wise on behalf of the Tama County Supervisors to set up a bank account to receive donations.

At one point Supervisor Curt Hilmer said to Ashley Steven, “If we’re not willing to do something about it, just sue us.”

After all of the discussion, it was decided to table the topic of rescinding $51,000 from the Board of Health’s budget for two weeks.

The Tama County Engineer reported that employees will be taking part in a chainsaw class to learn all about using chainsaws. The Toledo Deer Creek bridge has all of its beams in; next up is the deck. Barricades will be put up for RAGBRAI, the shop is being worked on, and there continue to be problems with the moving of a Windstream line.

Nate Holven had a tax abatement approved on a property in Garwin. $1,837 was the full amount of tax, the county will abate all but $317 that will be paid by Mr. Holven.

The supervisors approved the 2023 Homestead Assessor file.

The Treasurer Semi-Annual report was tabled for approval awaiting more information.

The Auditor’s Quarterly report was approved. Claims totaling $139,898.80 were approved.