Again, walking through melting snow and cold temperatures, citizens showed up for this week’s Tama County Supervisors meeting a little more chilled than last week. Home health was once again an agenda item and subject of discussion, and a memorandum was approved to be sent to the Tama County Board of Health.

Chairman Mark Doland explained the reasoning behind the memorandum.

“Right now, the county backfills double the amount of revenue they bring in every year, and so what this will do is just say we’re going to discontinue county subsidies for Tama County Health Services and any other programs that are not mandated under the state of Iowa law,” he said. “There are other funding mechanisms. There are other private organizations that have to operate under the same rules, but don’t get all the extra subsidies. So, it was a kind of consensus that we had during budget discussions last week that we would put something together and send it over.”

The supervisors stated that it was a priority of theirs to ensure that no one’s care lapses. They requested the Board of Health to submit a transition plan by March 6.

“If the Tama County Board of Health could continue to operate and sustain themselves through the dollars that they’re able to bill through Medicaid and Medicare, private funding, private insurances, then that service won’t have any interruptions,” Doland said.

During the public comment time, local citizen Bob Kienzle spoke and cautioned the supervisors about their action on public health. Kienzle went on to talk about his own experiences trying to get adequate health care services.

“I don’t ask the sheriff’s office if they’re generating any revenue. I don’t ask the road department, ‘Are you generating any revenue?’ I don’t ask EMS if they are generating any revenue. So, I want you to be, and I know you are, and I understand the budget concerns, but when you pay taxes, you’re paying taxes for these services, not as profit centers, not to generate funds,” he said.

Tama County Public Health and Home Care CEO/Executive Director Stacy Koeppen also commented.

“We had a good conversation with some of the Supervisors at the Board of Health meeting about the memorandum. Right now, we are working together with them to find a solution that is best for the people of Tama County,” she said.

According to a press release distributed by Doland after the meeting, the supervisors will implement the following changes to Tama County Public Health and Home Care effective July 1.

A sequestration of 10% of the FY26 Board of Health budget, which will not be released during the fiscal year.

Discontinuation of County subsidies for Tama County Home Health Services and other Board of Health programs not required by state law.

Continued funding for Public health services mandated by Iowa Code, and the Tama County Sanitarian and all statutory environmental health duties.

“This will be a thoughtful and orderly transition,” the Supervisors said in their release. “The health and well‒being of Tama County residents remains our priority, and we are taking the necessary time to ensure continuity of care throughout this process.”

According to the release, the Board of Health’s transition plan, which is due by March 6, must include a balanced FY27 budget reflecting new funding levels, a list of all services that will continue under state requirements, a description of how mandated public health services will be delivered beginning July 1, funding specifics for required programs, and any proposed operational changes needed to maintain services throughout and after the transition.

Other business

The engineer’s report stated that they plowed snow last week, along with cutting brush and stockpiling rock. The supervisors approved a resolution for weight embargoes on secondary roads.

A tax certificate on a property was abated for the city of Montour. The property holds a burnt down house next to the city park, and local kids have been messing around on the property. The city plans on taking down the house. Another set of tax certificates for some local citizens was approved at half contingent on the City of Tama approving the specials.

The Middle Cedar Watershed Management Authority gave a presentation. The supervisors approved removing ex-supervisor Kendall Jordan as a person of authority from the USDA Tama County Home Farm and adding all current supervisors as well as the county auditor.

A public hearing for a tax levy was set for March 23 at 8:15 a.m. Claims totaling $93,655.07 were approved.