[0:04] Good morning everyone. Like to call this meeting to order.

[0:08] Could please stand in the pledge of allegiance.

[0:13] » I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[0:18] republic for which it stands. One nation indivisible with liberty and justice for

[0:25] all.

[0:33] could you do roll call please John

[0:36] » here >> Jim

[0:37] » here Steve Mcomes >> here

[0:41] » entertain a motion for today's agenda >> move to approve today's agenda

[0:45] » second momes

[0:47] » I donor I

[0:50] » on the communications board is there any communications

[0:54] questions.

[0:58] You have any seeing that?

[1:03] Moving on to public comments. This is the portion of the agenda where we can

[1:07] hear from the public on um about items that are not listed below. These can

[1:12] become items that for future topics for future agendas. If you're here to to

[1:17] speak on something on the agenda, we'll speak about those later. So, do we have

[1:22] any public comments?

[1:25] Good morning board. I just wanted to let everybody know that Sunday, September

[1:30] 13th, so this Sunday we have our annual public safety night out. So we have all

[1:33] of our departments between EMS, fire, law enforcement, utilities, public

[1:37] works, um coming and bringing um vehicles, demonstrations, just kind of a

[1:44] time for the whole county to get together and meet these individuals

[1:47] before maybe their black sky day. Um it's a full family day of fun. It's

[1:52] free. We've done sponsors. We always try to make this a free family event. Um, so

[1:56] we're hoping for perfect weather. It's going to be at the Marian County

[1:58] Fairgrounds from 2:00 to 5:00. So I hope to see everybody there. Thank you.

[2:02] » Thank you, Emily. Appreciate that. [snorts]

[2:04] » Any other public comments?

[2:09] » Anything online? >> No.

[2:14] Entertain a motion for approval for the consent agenda.

[2:17] » I move we approve the consent agenda.

[2:21] Wheeler. >> Hi.

[2:22] » John. >> Hi.

[2:23] » McCi. [clears throat]

[2:25] » On to business. Item number one is county uh economic development. This

[2:30] would be our um second annual cleanup day funding request. Good morning.

[2:36] » Good morning. Thank you for your consideration today. Um the and Kelly

[2:40] Mitchell is here from the hope group as well. So if you have questions that she

[2:43] can answer for you because I've just seen it from the outside. Short version

[2:46] is uh they are having their second annual cleanup. You assisted last year

[2:51] um in their first annual one and I can she can cover all the things that were

[2:56] picked up. They did a they did a great job. They had uh community meeting

[3:01] earlier this summer. Uh and she can tell you a little bit about that. But this is

[3:05] a group that's really trying to make a difference in a small community. Um and

[3:09] I think from the outside looking in, they've already done a great job. But

[3:14] again, for a small community coming together, uh I would just appreciate

[3:17] your consideration of this ask,

[3:25] » Dan. Um and the request is um $1,000 to help with the roll off dumpsters tipping

[3:31] fees. That's correct. All right. Um last year those funds um come out of the

[3:39] zoning department, I believe. Where was the request were you looking at and have

[3:44] you talked to zoning about that at all? >> Uh Missy did forward. I could have done

[3:49] a better job. I will tell you that checking with Missy beforehand. I

[3:52] honestly didn't realize or didn't understand where the money might come

[3:55] from. Was going to leave that to your discretion. Uh last year it did come out

[3:58] of the zoning spun for cleaning up these type of places, these type of

[4:03] properties. So u I in all honesty it's entirely up to you.

[4:09] » And Kelly, are you >> Yes. If you could could you step to the

[4:12] podium, please? >> Um, good morning.

[4:15] » Yeah. Tell us your name and address there so that we have it for record.

[4:19] » Yeah. Kelly Mitchell, uh, from 29070th Avenue in Otuley, uh, president of Hope,

[4:25] Inc., uh, we're a small group of concerned citizens looking to revitalize

[4:29] our small town. Um, and so through that work, uh, a cleanup day, an annual

[4:34] cleanup day is part of that. and we're just trying to uh make that available to

[4:39] folks to clean up their properties and keep them um I don't know up to date I

[4:44] guess so to speak. Um you know we're unincorporated little town. We don't

[4:47] have a cleanup day. All the towns around us do. Um and we just wanted to bring

[4:51] that to make it as convenient as possible for our long-term goal is to uh

[4:56] make Otley be as attractive as possible. keep um growing businesses that have

[5:01] established around there and also make it more attractive so that people will

[5:05] want to live and possibly build there. >> So, Kelly, I know that uh you guys had

[5:10] quite success last year. Are you seeing any um what I would consider repeat

[5:15] offenders where they're just, you know, they cleaned up or somebody helped them

[5:18] cleaned up and they're just accumulating again? Yeah, I think there are always

[5:24] going to be some and um you know we continue to try to build a sense of

[5:28] community in Otley. Um so that it's um I want to be, you know, I want to be part

[5:33] of the solution, that kind of thing. And those conversations are always ongoing

[5:37] and we try to be as open as possible and but making this available um the cleanup

[5:42] day is to help uh those folks know that they do have a resource and we'll

[5:47] continue to help them. Um, but as far as targeting any businesses, uh, no, we're

[5:54] not targeting. We're just trying to make an event available and if any of the

[5:58] businesses that hap that the county happens to be working with, uh, come

[6:01] forward, we absolutely will be helping them.

[6:06] » Does this look like this is going to be an annual thing for Alley? The only

[6:10] reason I asked if if we're going to have to be looking at Alley and maybe other

[6:15] rural town, are we going to have to increase the budget for zoning to cover

[6:23] these costs or where this money coming from?

[6:26] » So, we are also doing fundraising. We estimate our goal this year to be around

[6:30] $2,800. We're asking for a thousand to help with tipping fees. Uh we will have

[6:35] rolloff box rentals, those kinds of thing. I think some of the difference

[6:38] that sets us aside from some of the other unincorporated communities is we

[6:43] are a group that has come together and established a 501c3 specifically for um

[6:49] just trying to revitalize our town. I don't know if there are other groups and

[6:52] some of the other ones uh some of the other small towns but it but we are

[6:56] reaching out to the county again because we are unincorporated. We are a rural

[7:00] part of this county and we're just trying to make it better.

[7:05] » Yeah, I get that. My point is if it's if it's going to be an annual

[7:10] thing we have we have to start looking at budgetary things.

[7:14] » So do we increase on that? I guess not a question to you.

[7:18] » Yeah. But >> I think it's the situation is is that

[7:22] you know obviously oddly you know has formed a group and um you know when

[7:28] others do it and as costs rise those are all things that uh we as a board have to

[7:35] consider especially when um you know when we're being with how you know when

[7:41] we have Senate file 2472 coming at us which is the 2% property tax you know

[7:46] those are things that we're just going to have to be mindful whether you know,

[7:50] [clears throat] I also uh low, you know, lowhanging fruit, right? You know, it's

[7:55] it's it's come to us, you know, and and and ask that. I do think that um the

[8:01] businesses and I'm appreciative of them stepping forward and helping with you.

[8:05] Um I do hope that maybe you can keep generating and maybe if you're not

[8:09] spending all your funds that it it carries over to the next

[8:12] » year. Um, when it comes to the funds that you're using, I'm assuming that

[8:17] would be directly is that something that we in the when we paid lat in the past,

[8:21] did that go um directly to you or did that go to the landfill? Do we know the

[8:27] landfill? >> It did go to the landfill.

[8:29] » Landfill. >> Okay. All right. Missy, what do you have

[8:31] in that fund currently? >> 2500.

[8:35] » Okay. All right. So you're right, Steve, to answer your question, if they're

[8:39] going to make it available to all the unincorporated communities, possibly

[8:43] there's seven. So we need to look at that. And then there still needs to be

[8:47] funds. The intent is when we set it forth when Steve and I um talked about

[8:53] this, we set it forth and it was put forth because I've worked with property

[8:58] owners that maybe they don't have the money to pay the tipping fees. That's

[9:02] the difference between them being compliant and non-compliant. And so we

[9:05] put that money in there. Um cotton did clean up properties last year that were

[9:11] very non-compliant. We sent out notices to let people,

[9:15] » hey, your property may not be in compliance of these things and

[9:18] properties were cleaned up. We were still we um just recently had another

[9:23] trailer house removed. Another house sold was going to be cleaned up. We've

[9:27] worked on projects um and Kim part of it was um inspired by the group and the

[9:34] group helping. So >> there a 501c3 are they eligible to apply

[9:40] for any landfill

[9:46] » 501c3 correct [clears throat] >> grants that have you guys I guess that's

[9:50] a good question Tyler. Have you saw any grants at all when it comes to that? We

[9:54] have I did not know that the landfill had one available. We will go and check

[9:58] that out. I think you know we continue to fund raise. We have inkind donations

[10:01] in terms of equipment for that day. So um skid steer tractors those kinds of

[10:07] things. So people are bringing that in. Um and then also yes we have done some

[10:11] fundraising where we are reaching out to the businesses and also those who

[10:14] invested in us last year. Uh again we will continue. Um, you know, I wish I

[10:19] could say that we were able to fund raise enough to fund all of it, but

[10:23] that's why I'm here today. Um, we, you know, we just continue on that on that

[10:28] path. >> I think it's just I'll go on records and

[10:30] say I think it's just absolutely fantastic that you guys have taken this

[10:33] on and trying to improve the community and make it a great place to live and

[10:38] and move forward with that. Quite frankly, I I wish that more of the

[10:42] unincorporated incorporated areas would do that self-determination and take

[10:47] those things on as well because we can't legislate everything from a three person

[10:53] panel up here. So, people need to take responsibility for their areas of those

[10:57] things. We're here to support those things. And quite frankly, $1,000 last

[11:02] year, $1,000 this year, and $1,000 going forward, quite frankly, to me doesn't

[11:07] move the needle very much. coming from a county perspective, but yet it can

[11:11] directly impact positively impact so many people their their lives and how

[11:16] they um look at the community and the county as well as others. And again, I

[11:22] would encourage other uninccorporated areas to step up and do the same thing.

[11:26] I've got no problem whatsoever with thousands this year or into the future.

[11:32] We do need to take consideration if it becomes a budget issue. Absolutely. we

[11:37] need to make sure that we put it in there, but I don't want to solve a

[11:40] problem I don't have yet. So, I mean, I don't have a problem whatsoever ask this

[11:47] year. Um, a discussion that we could have at the next budget session is, you

[11:52] know, maybe we increase that cleanup budget from 2500 to 10,000. I don't know

[11:57] what that right number is, but other than just to say I don't want to drive

[12:02] by the unincorporated areas and see junk sitting at all the place and not feel

[12:07] like we've done our very best to get it cleaned up. And if it's simply a matter

[12:12] of writing a check for $1,000 to get it cleaned up, I got no problem whatsoever

[12:17] with that. We're not made of money. I don't want to give any

[12:22] but uh but there are priorities that I know that we need to be able to pick and

[12:27] the personal commitment by the individuals and the businesses in a late

[12:31] is something that I think other communities should emulate and try with

[12:35] the same kind of thing. >> Yeah, I think it's a worthwhile project.

[12:40] Don't get me wrong, there I'm at that point also that

[12:46] we need to look at the funding sources and how how we're going to fund these if

[12:51] if they become, you know, the other unincorporated areas want to do the same

[12:56] thing. We need to we need to increase the the fund that line item. My next

[13:01] question would be miss what what Missy brought up. If somebody does not have

[13:06] the money to pay the tipping fee, how do we determine if that is true or

[13:13] not or if they just don't want to pay it? I mean,

[13:16] » fine line. And honestly, we've never actually since the funds were set forth,

[13:21] we've never actually I had one contact me, but they wanted me to actually pay

[13:25] for the roll off and and all that stuff. Well, that's not the intent. I mean,

[13:30] » I don't mind I don't mind helping people that need help. I just don't I just

[13:34] don't want to help somebody that's lazy. >> It has to be on a case- by case basis.

[13:38] And again, that money is I'm not in support of giving the group the $1,000.

[13:44] If it's coming out of my budget, it needs to be paid up to $1,000 to the

[13:49] landfill drip. >> Yeah.

[13:54] » Okay. So, I'm hearing from the board that they're supported. Um I I guess to

[13:59] me, um it makes the most sense to come back

[14:04] where we've had it before. Um, that would be my request. Um, I do think that

[14:09] we are going to have to be mindful when it comes to if other unincorporated

[14:13] areas do this and at the end of the day. Um, you know,

[14:20] » that's going to be that's going to be a budget discussion we have with Missy and

[14:24] Zoning as far as increasing that budget if if we're if we're going to be

[14:28] supportive in the future of these things.

[14:32] So K should come just so there is um last I think it was last meeting Busy

[14:38] was here so there was some room in that line item as well as department 99 that

[14:42] was pre-budgeted and there is also that other big cleanup amount that wasn't in

[14:47] isn't directly out of Missy's as available if you'd want to use that as

[14:51] well on >> there are options is what we're saying

[14:57] » but I think we have to give direction in which what we're looking at

[15:00] » so are we looking at bringing it out of Missy's budget. And

[15:05] that's that would be my recommendation at this point. We just use uh a little

[15:09] bit for what we did for Busy out of that other line item. Um, so [clears throat]

[15:14] yeah, >> and actually I don't disagree with that,

[15:19] Kesha, but I would also um say that if we do get into the situation where we

[15:25] spent that uh and we still have needs that are

[15:30] unfunded, that's when we go back to the 99 and we remind Jake of what commented

[15:36] about, right? So I'm just suggesting is don't feel like, oh, we're spending your

[15:41] budget now. They got no options. >> I do have absolutely do have options.

[15:45] » I do have actually right now we have four under notice of violation that may

[15:51] have to be cleaned up by the county and we have 25 million bucks. So,

[15:55] » and if you and if we run above that then let's talk to Jake on department 999. We

[16:00] need to hear about it. >> Yeah. Currently your line item is

[16:06] » it's not it's not big enough to cover what we're trying to do here. So that's

[16:10] that's an issue we're going to have to look at in the future.

[16:18] » So do we have a motion? >> I move to approve the funding request

[16:23] for the office. Second of >> second

[16:29] John IS.

[16:35] » Thank you. On behalf of Oley, thank you all so much. Thanks.

[16:40] Item number two is Marian County Courthouse Special Event Application,

[16:44] Hospital Area Community Hospital, Girls Night Out

[16:48] before us. Um, this is the application that we have received. They've been

[16:53] doing this for several years. Um, I have not heard anything. Facilities, are you

[16:59] good with this request? Okay. >> 100%. They've been great partners.

[17:02] » Okay, great. Um, they, you know, have checked all the boxes. I just don't know

[17:08] if you have any special event >> questions.

[17:14] Just know that they're not requesting to use restrooms. So, it's just uh the

[17:19] grounds. So, all right. Entertain a motion for

[17:24] area community growth. >> So, moved. Support

[17:30] Mcomes. >> Hi.

[17:32] » Wheeler. >> Hi.

[17:33] » John. >> Hi.

[17:35] » Item number three is resolution 2026-98. A resolution designating the place at

[17:41] which notice of meetings of the Marian County Board of Supervisors shall be

[17:44] posted on the attorney. Mr. Har.

[17:48] » Thank you. There were some changes made to chapters 21 and 22 the Iowa code this

[17:54] year changing the requirements for notification of public meetings and in

[18:00] an effort to make sure we're in compliance with that. Um one of the

[18:04] changes was that um we have to have a designated place where we post uh

[18:09] meeting notices. um the internet or website uh isn't sufficient although we

[18:14] are required to do that but a physical location is required and uh there is

[18:19] language in the statute that says that it must be displayed uh continuously. Um

[18:25] the advice that we've gotten from the attorney general's office means that

[18:28] that's 24 hours a day. So um placing them within the courthouse uh during

[18:33] business hours only um there's a matter of some debate about whether that's uh

[18:38] sufficient or not. And I think it's probably best that we are safe rather

[18:42] than sorry and designate a place where we can continuously display our public

[18:48] notices. I've had uh discussions with uh Drew and Chris and Jake and I think we

[18:56] have some ideas about the south side of the courthouse. Uh however, whatever the

[19:00] board decides is best. But uh I do think it's good that we um make this decision

[19:05] so we're in compliance with the law. Hey Jared, I think after me and Chris were

[19:10] looking at it, we kind of looked at west side be the best spot. Sure. So,

[19:15] » okay. >> Y

[19:16] » is this is this the TV screen we were discussing?

[19:20] » Okay. >> And that has been ordered or after this

[19:23] I mean like >> case

[19:26] TV is coming in today. >> Is the state going to help us pay for

[19:29] this Jim? [laughter] >> I'll ask him Steve.

[19:32] » Okay. >> Okay. So I do think the west side um

[19:37] makes sense. I do think uh having it under a screen so people can walk up to

[19:42] see it and visualize. So um yes and then that means also I think it's important

[19:48] that uh we'll be able to log will be a system that we can log in so um those

[19:55] that are having meetings um can post there too. So yeah,

[20:01] » I'm assuming my suggestion didn't apply there.

[20:05] » [laughter] >> They haven't gotten back to me.

[20:09] » So, we'll just be on a scrolling basically. We can have other

[20:12] announcements and things. >> Yeah. Going on.

[20:14] » So, right now it's kind of going to be like how the other displays are in the

[20:17] courthouse which just Google slide which we can update slides and stuff like

[20:22] that.

[20:26] » That'll be good. I do think designating this and obviously we have to do it um

[20:31] to follow code. So, You have no further questions and we'll

[20:36] entertain a motion for resolution 2026-98.

[20:40] » Are we designating the place to in this resolution?

[20:42] » Yep, it is. It's it's designated on the west Yep. entry.

[20:46] » Okay. Yep. >> All right. And thank you to Jane for all

[20:49] your help with this. We go approve resolution 2026-98.

[20:54] » Second. >> Hi.

[20:58] » Hi. >> Holmes.

[20:59] » Hi. So item number four is resolution

[21:04] 2026-97. This is adopting new load limits on

[21:08] certain bridges located in Marian County on the secondary road system.

[21:16] » Yeah. During the most recent uh inspection cycle from our bridge

[21:20] inspection consultant heard from Michael Associates that uh particular bridge was

[21:26] in need of uh an updated post. currently not

[21:31] posted. Uh we have done repairs on this bridge in the past extending the life

[21:37] maybe eight years ago. We did this eight or 10 years ago. Um but you know as

[21:43] things changed and deteriorate the result is we do have a load posting

[21:48] 284040. So what that means is the 28 is a load limit for your single unit

[21:55] vehicles. So your standard dump truck of three to seven axles where everything

[22:00] else your combination units would still be at the 8010 legal load limit. Uh so I

[22:07] recommend this resolution be approved and signage is

[22:12] already underway. >> 80 ton is the semi truck.

[22:16] » Yeah. Yeah. T typical depending on its configuration but right

[22:22] typical combination unit so semi would be 80,000 pounds or 40.

[22:27] » Yeah, >> which is the current legal load.

[22:33] » Okay. >> Or but this would not be legal for any

[22:36] of the all systems permits which is a a new law went into replacement two or

[22:42] three years ago. Okay. >> Which I was against.

[22:47] Yeah. Or just to re every bridge. >> All right.

[22:54] Is there any further questions to tie in? It seems pretty straightforward to

[22:57] me. I'll entertain a motion for resolution 2026-97.

[23:02] » Move we approve resolution 2026-97.

[23:10] That sorry [clears throat] John.

[23:13] » Hi. >> Hi. Hi.

[23:17] » Thank you. On to item number five. This is the Maring County Humane Society

[23:22] contract review notice. Um what I have before you today is um a contract renew

[23:29] um contract review notice and uh it's brought to us because currently um the

[23:36] agreement that we've had in place has been in since 2013.

[23:40] Uh, as you're fully aware, Senate File 2472, as I mentioned

[23:45] earlier, is making us think about what contracts we have and and looking at

[23:49] those things. And I do feel that it's important that we bring before um the

[23:54] the contract. And uh this would be just a notice. So when [clears throat] you

[24:00] look at the current agreement, if you if you look in your packet, um item number

[24:05] four states that this agreement shall have a term of 12 months from the date

[24:09] of complete execution by both parties and shall renew automatically each year

[24:13] unless written notice is given by either party of intent to terminate or

[24:17] renegotiate the agreement 60 days prior to renewal. That is why this is being

[24:22] brought before um the board today is that we have to to be able to even start

[24:27] talking about the contract. We have to give them notice that we're wanting to

[24:32] um discuss that. Um I would also like to note um that I also serve on uh as a

[24:39] board of supervisor, I serve on the board of health and uh there does need

[24:43] to be some language updated in regarding quarantine. um we the board of health

[24:48] recently had an issue um in a situation with um a quarantine animal. So I do

[24:54] think it is important that we give them their notice and it is just to start the

[24:59] negotiation. That is what this is about and and I frankly I really appreciate

[25:04] all the input that we've received for all the concern citizens. That's

[25:08] absolutely I encourage that. Uh I love getting a full email box. It's great to

[25:13] hear from everybody. Um, I also think we need to, as Kesha just said, put it in

[25:18] perspective. This is not, we are not out trying to cut, eliminate, diminish, or

[25:26] that humane society does uh periodically. All contracts should be

[25:33] reviewed. This one's not been looked at since 2013. We all know things change.

[25:38] Uh, and this is simply an announcement, a notice that we just want to look at.

[25:44] So, all the the keyboard warriors out there that are uh sending out

[25:50] information that we're going to get rid of this and defund it and all those

[25:55] things. Uh please just hold back, take a breath, and let it play out. This is

[26:02] simply a notice that we're going to talk about it.

[26:05] » Yeah. And I do think it is important that we understand what we're paying

[26:09] for. I mean, we haven't we haven't talked about it since 2013. Um it is

[26:13] important and it is a time for where they can speak and we can speak and uh I

[26:18] do think from my perspective I do think people need to understand that these

[26:24] contracts we it's no different than library. The library comes to us on a

[26:28] yearly basis. These are contracts that we're going to have to look at on yearly

[26:31] basis. That's just the way it is. Um, and uh I'm I know that this ruffled

[26:37] feathers. Um, and if those of you

[26:43] that went back and looked at the can I can I hairless pose notice that I did do

[26:48] a disclaimer because I felt that it was misleading and uh so uh yeah and uh I do

[26:57] think that that is something that sometimes people read it and don't read

[27:01] the full story of it. Um, and uh, yeah, I just I mean I do appreciate you

[27:08] reaching out, but you have to understand that this is part of our job too that

[27:12] with taxpayer funds, we do have to look at these things and these are contracts

[27:16] that we are I personally plan to look on a basis. So, Steve, if you have

[27:20] comments, >> yeah, I got some comments.

[27:24] I I don't me personally I have no intent of defunding the humane

[27:31] society nor do I believe this board has any intent

[27:36] I we do need fiscal accountability to the taxpayers so we need to know where

[27:42] what where the money's going how it's being used that's simple plain and

[27:47] simple like people need to get their facts and details together before they

[27:51] jump to conclusions You know, there may be a time in the not

[27:56] too distant future that the citizens of Marian County may be asked what taxpayer

[28:02] services are most important to them because that decision may have be made

[28:06] down the road one of these days because there's only so much money to go around.

[28:13] That's that's all I got to say.

[28:17] So this um you know contract uh renew uh

[28:23] review notice board what I would like to discuss is is um obviously that would

[28:29] our county attorney would help assist that with us and um and then in turn we

[28:35] would um if you want myself to work with the county attorney to start that

[28:40] process um I need to hear from the court I guess that's why it's so

[28:45] » I think with you serving as a member of the uh board of public health, I think

[28:50] it's appropriate that you would represent the board of supervisors

[28:57] process. >> All right. I think that would be

[29:00] logical. >> Okay. I appreciate that.

[29:04] » Steve, do you have any thoughts? >> Well, yeah. I mean, we have to answer to

[29:07] the state on where what where we spend our money. So, anybody that receives

[29:11] taxpayer money should have the same requirements.

[29:15] » Yeah. I I do think uh financials um understanding what's being paid um it is

[29:21] important. Uh I do know that there is a request out there. Um we have received

[29:25] uh some documentation from Humane Society and I'm grateful for that. Um I

[29:29] do believe the last time I checked the last three years of financials. We're

[29:33] still waiting on those. So those could come to us that would be helpful. I do

[29:37] think that the board needs to be able to review those. Um when you're taking

[29:40] taxpayer money um it is important that we understand where that money is going.

[29:44] So, um, so with that board, what I'm what I'm seeking today is a

[29:51] notice that, uh, if we're going to give the Humane Society contract review

[29:55] notice of their 60 days. Um, and that we would like to, uh, discuss, um,

[30:01] renegotiate the agreement. >> Yeah. With no intent of defunding, I

[30:07] mean, or getting rid of it. >> Eliminate.

[30:10] » Yeah. Eliminate. >> Yep.

[30:13] you want to have special meetings for that?

[30:16] » We will have to what we uh Linda what we'll end up have to do is we'll give

[30:19] notice. So our legal counsel and I will sit down and discuss and then we'll give

[30:24] legal notice and then uh we'll go from there.

[30:29] » Yeah. Yeah. And so then that will start that process if that makes sense. Okay.

[30:34] All right. So I have a motion. Is that correct?

[30:38] » Yeah.

[30:44] Mcomes. >> Hi,

[30:46] » Eeler. >> Hi, Joner.

[30:47] » Hi. >> Thank you everyone. Appreciate that.

[30:52] Item number six, um board before us is what I have called and I don't know that

[30:58] we've had one before is called a work session discussion. Um this is over

[31:03] overtime and compensatory um time policy. Uh if you recall back in uh late

[31:09] June um there was a I believe it was June 23rd um we had stated that we would

[31:17] look at um an updating of a policy at that meeting. Um it was brought to us

[31:25] that uh there was um I believe it was specifically mainly the road department

[31:30] that was not um very happy with the way that was reading in the overtime policy.

[31:36] So we had given uh the direction of 90 days to go back um kind of come

[31:43] specifically said come best scenario uh well um I have been meeting with

[31:50] Tyler and I met with him last week um because as you know we're getting ready

[31:55] to uh come upon our 90 days that I felt like we needed to know where where they

[32:02] were at and uh the road department um has met with um Tyler has met with his

[32:08] road department personnel and I believe they're here with us today and uh at

[32:12] this point they um they feel that they do not want to make any changes uh that

[32:19] they like what they have they feel that it has worked and they want to continue

[32:24] with that >> clarification it status quo

[32:29] with any amendments for non-compliance if there are truly

[32:34] things which I do believe there are a couple things that would need to be

[32:37] amended to be compliant with Iowa or federal code

[32:41] » status quo amending a non-compliance.

[32:47] I determined at that time that it was important that since

[32:53] uh as uh several of you are aware we can't talk behind the scenes. So it's

[33:00] time that we sat and talk and uh I know that sometimes this type of situation

[33:06] doesn't always make people feel very comfortable. Um but it is one thing that

[33:11] we need to hear what the other thinks because you know it's just not me as

[33:17] chair going to be saying this is what we're doing. We as a board need

[33:21] I do um Tyler and I have chatted and um I do

[33:28] think when you're sitting in this seat big picture

[33:34] um when you come into this role and you have all these different silos

[33:40] it's really hard to follow. it's really hard to know who's doing what, who's,

[33:45] you know, um, and when it comes to office hours, when it comes to overtime,

[33:52] um, I didn't realize that there was such a difference.

[33:55] » Um, and there is there's there's a huge difference.

[33:58] » And, um, I think that it's important that we just discuss what we're looking

[34:03] at, what we we are not making a decision today. uh this is a work session um for

[34:10] the board to you know if there's questions um we can ask those questions

[34:14] but then hopefully in the near future uh by the next meeting if uh we decide then

[34:20] we can help me so I'm opening the

[34:32] I'd like to provide some justification of why we ended up at that where we did

[34:38] as a department, if if you don't mind,

[34:43] » please any and all. >> I want to make sure that people can see

[34:47] you. Tyler, could you >> Yeah, you come up.

[34:49] » Yeah. And please come. And and Tyler, I appreciate

[34:54] uh your premise when you first started uh your when you when you first spoke up

[35:01] earlier that because I made the comment a while back that however we end up with

[35:08] all the pain policies and all those things. As a supervisor,

[35:13] we are all concerned to make sure that whatever that policy looks like, it must

[35:18] be legal both by the state and the federal guidelines. And I know there's

[35:24] some question on how that thing works and different rules apply to different

[35:28] departments and those things. I recognize that. And to Kesha's point, we

[35:33] only know what we know. My history has never been managing a sheriff's

[35:38] department or law enforcement or a road crew or so my experience is much

[35:46] different bringing that to the table. So this is a learning process for me too.

[35:51] So there may well be things that are legal that just seems odd to me from my

[35:56] history. So I'm learning as things go. So

[36:00] » that's a prime example of coming into this role and you're you're

[36:06] when you're looking at big picture because that's what we're supposed to be

[36:09] looking at. We're supposed to be looking at budgets and the work department falls

[36:12] under us. So I do want to make sure that people understand the direct departments

[36:16] that fall under us are IT, roads, facilities, HR, economic development and

[36:22] planning in the me right those others are either elected or they have their

[36:27] own level. Yep. And board. >> Yeah. It's confusing.

[36:31] » It's very confusing, right? >> Yeah.

[36:34] » So, this is a department that we do directly oversee. I do think that we

[36:38] need to make sure that we we have an understanding that

[36:40] » the typical taxpayer to think uh not every department

[36:45] works directly for us. >> Exactly.

[36:48] » Right. >> Which was surprising to me as I got into

[36:51] this role because I you would naturally assume that they do, but in fact they

[36:55] don't. >> We just oversee their budget. I think

[36:59] » that being said, >> yeah, I think another important

[37:01] clarification of that point is or statement maybe not clarification is

[37:07] there's always a lot of discussion about how the private sector does things and

[37:11] you know this board and previous boards have mentioned that and and I think it's

[37:16] it's okay to look at that through that lens occasionally and and

[37:21] but government efficiencies are different but that doesn't mean we can't

[37:25] still be efficient and budgetary, fiscally responsible and whatnot,

[37:31] but the county operating as one private sector or one employer is really

[37:37] difficult due to the nature of the work. You're really administering in my

[37:41] opinion many different

[37:45] companies within the county because they all back they all operate so differently

[37:50] and the nature of the work is so different here.

[37:54] Just just a statement some How are they? I mean,

[37:59] » yeah. And and for clarification, which this is clarification, the previous

[38:04] handbook did define departments individually specifically on how what

[38:09] their work hours were, their overtime comp, how that was approved and whatnot.

[38:12] And it was very specifically defined by department, lumping some together, uh I

[38:20] think as courthouse employees and whatnot. I think so we need to make sure

[38:24] that when we redid the handbook we kept it more of a high level and the reason

[38:30] the reason we are here today is because we had a was approximately 30 that went

[38:35] from um exempt to non-exempt. So that brought up the question, okay, and then

[38:41] we come to find out and it Tyler's correct. It was in the handbook before.

[38:46] I did not fetch that that we had all this difference. That's on me.

[38:50] » I think from from road department perspective, I think it's important to

[38:54] note that that handbook is no longer in effect. The new handbook as of July one

[38:59] last year is in effect and does not clearly define those things. We at the

[39:04] road department, I issued as the department head a memo to employees that

[39:09] we will retain the policies and practices of the previous handbook until

[39:15] further notice at which point I was drafting a policy for work hours and

[39:20] overtime compensation to clarify with the department of 38

[39:26] full-time employees and over 40 part with part-time we have to define things

[39:31] and and have polic policies and procedures in place to manage a

[39:36] department such as that. So I think if you will remember that

[39:42] that is an important piece later on. Um so I guess I I came up here to tell you

[39:50] how I arrived at status quo with amending any non-compliance.

[39:55] So after the last board meeting uh took so I do have my personnel committee here

[40:01] again uh plus one Mike as our road maintenance supervisor who is most

[40:05] directly involved with administering policies and review and time off and and

[40:13] whatnot uh through through time tracking and and what and

[40:18] approving different things. So Mike is here and this is our first note as our

[40:22] revenue supervisor. So we left the last meeting um

[40:29] and provide got some further clarification about the budget being a

[40:34] key point in in this and dur ahead of that meeting I provided you with some

[40:39] information that overtime in totality overtime paid to road department

[40:46] employees is roughly4% of the road department's budget

[40:52] and 09% of the county's overall budget. Uh so the fiscal impact for from a road

[40:59] department perspective if changes were made and all the overtime was eliminated

[41:03] would be a fairly small piece of the pie if you

[41:08] will. So I also looked at

[41:13] » just for one just one for clarification. So I mean the 0809

[41:20] I mean that seems like a really small number. Give me a dollar amount rather

[41:24] than a percentage. >> If we were

[41:26] » I mean tell me is that $100,000 is that $50,000 or is that

[41:31] » So the over put it in perspective >> the overtime paid out is 37

[41:37] for road department employees. >> Okay.

[41:39] » And I annually >> but there's comp

[41:41] » on average annually. >> But then the comp time can you include

[41:44] » but the but the fiscal impact is $37,000 annually. On average that's okay

[41:49] average. [cough] and and [clears throat] that was the number I was

[41:54] » and >> percentages can be

[41:56] » and those hours can't all be eliminated and 37 is paying time and so if you take

[42:03] the halftime portion that's $12,000. So 12,000 is the max potential savings if

[42:09] you eliminated 100% of all overtime because you're we still work those

[42:14] overtime hours in some way shape or >> Okay. Okay. So, Tyler, I think though we

[42:17] need to make sure we understand that the public um we're not talking overtime

[42:22] over 40. We're talking overtime explain explain how your overtime because you do

[42:28] overtime different in the summer versus in the winter. So,

[42:31] » we do not do overtime different in the summer versus the winter.

[42:34] » I thought you did um because you work 10our days of

[42:37] » four. Sorry. Yes. Yes. >> So, that's a work hour change. should

[42:42] say not necessarily a overtime approval change necessarily.

[42:47] So typical work week regularly scheduled work week

[42:52] for the road department is 7 to 3:30 with a half hour unpaid lunch. Overtime

[42:57] is after eight hours in a workday. The current employee handbook states

[43:02] that all time off is counted as time work except sick leave. So that's one of

[43:08] the changes that will have to be made. So that the employee handbook for all

[43:13] county employees states that per Iowa code comp time cannot be used

[43:19] as time work. That's one of the non-compliance things that's come to

[43:23] light through this process that we >> which I appreciate you

[43:27] » have been doing have explained. >> So yes, in the summer we have a 10-hour

[43:34] we have in place a policy that the board approved

[43:39] I don't know 20 17 maybe a 10-hour day workday policy in which we can implement

[43:45] with two weeks notice a change to four 10-hour days with overtime after 10 in

[43:51] those for those specific employees that are on that schedule

[43:55] » which theoretically save us money because we don't have to

[43:59] we don't have to we don't have to gear up for them the next day you know

[44:02] » yeah already on site it saves us money >> plus travel time to and from work sites

[44:09] efficiency gains was the intent with that.

[44:13] » Do you how much do you typically have for overtime in the summer when you do

[44:17] the 10 hours?

[44:21] Do you have a lot working on Friday? Guess what I'm asking? It' be very I

[44:25] mean the bulk of our overtime on an annual basis is incurred in the

[44:30] you know rare instances 2015 probably the last time we really incurred

[44:34] substantial overtime due to flooding when we were just trying to get drugs

[44:39] paid drugs included tobacco but so typical average

[44:46] uh year is borrow times incurred between the months of November and April May end

[44:53] of Okay.

[44:56] And and

[45:00] yes, there is overtime on Fridays for a variety of different reasons. Um

[45:07] I still we've run analysis. I think in 2021 was probably the last time, you

[45:12] know, after that policy of 10our days have been in place for a while where we

[45:18] look re-evaluated the efficiencies there. Is this still making sense for us

[45:22] as a department? uh and and it was at that time

[45:26] uh even though there are instances of that um again for a variety of reasons

[45:32] and we still get called out at 8:00 p.m. you know, when after working a 10hour

[45:36] day doesn't eliminate those and and and that's a good point that the nature of

[45:41] our work is not typically dictated by a schedule or a schedule overtime even the

[45:48] nature of our work is something that's dictated outside of our control warrants

[45:52] overtime. So whether that's a road hazard, a weather event, whatnot, we

[45:57] have very little control there. And I think that's an important piece that's

[46:01] defined in the code of federal regulation that talks about the reason

[46:06] some of these extra compensations. So something like overtime after 8 is

[46:12] provided to employees is because of the disarrangement in their words of

[46:17] personal time and personal watch or the lack of notice provided to work those

[46:23] overtime hours or to work hours in which you were scheduled to have a day of rest

[46:30] i.e. holidays or Saturdays and Sundays. But I do think

[46:37] » that we're saying currently overtime over eight and it's

[46:42] including vacation. That's not common. I I want to say that overtime over eight

[46:47] may be in the field and some what you're doing but including vacation is a

[46:52] premium. I do think that we need to make sure and make that aware that's a

[46:56] premium. >> So give us an example.

[46:58] » Perfect. I have I have an example. So it's actually an example is given in the

[47:02] code of f federal regulation when talking about working technicals.

[47:06] » So overtime after a is in the federal regulations as a

[47:11] recognized and approved method of compensation.

[47:16] » Yes. >> So here

[47:18] » I think that's an important clarifying point from the meeting we had back in

[47:21] April when it was when there was some panic around that being legal or not.

[47:28] » Right. and and by the state too. I mean you got you gota I mean is the state

[47:33] follow those same rules. >> So how important is that?

[47:36] » Yep. Sorry. Yes. For the most part the state of Iowa follows the Fair Labor

[47:40] Standards Act >> which is overtime over 40.

[47:43] » Over time over >> right you can be more

[47:47] » right. Okay. >> Uh um you can you can give over that.

[47:51] That's being more generous. Right. But standard is over 40.

[47:55] » Okay. There is a section of Iowa code specific

[47:59] to state and local government employees called application of fair labor

[48:05] standards act for state and local government employees.

[48:09] Uh that's where it's defined that comp time cannot be used as time work. So

[48:14] that's where that okay >> came from.

[48:17] Otherwise, Fair Labor Standards Act warrants

[48:24] overtime and work rules for for local.

[48:30] However, there are and I've asked for clarification from our HR attorney and

[48:37] from ISAC council

[48:41] that there are sections of the code of federal regulations. This is 29 CFR 778

[48:47] defines has sections that allow for overtime

[48:53] after 8. They also allow for holidays, vacation, weekends to be counted as time

[49:01] work or automatic overtime would be both of those things. It also allows for many

[49:07] other things that apply to other county departments that don't necessarily apply

[49:11] to the road department. And full clarification here, I looked at that

[49:15] code of federal regulation through the lens of the road department only. Now,

[49:18] did I come across things that apply to other departments? Yes. My review was

[49:23] simply pertinent to the road department. They can speak for themselves uh

[49:28] regarding specific issues. So

[49:33] yes, it also states that it has to be written or unwritten contract, employee

[49:40] agreement, policy or established practice. So to my point earlier that we

[49:47] had a handbook that defined then it was taken out then I implemented a memo that

[49:53] we're going to retain that established practice that was previously defined

[49:59] with the intent of writing a policy. My policy has not been effective because

[50:04] this conversation started back in April when I was planning to implement that

[50:09] policy in March and I held off until this discussion had worked itself out.

[50:16] So to that point we are still legal because we have that policy or

[50:21] established practice in my opinion. That is not a legal opinion. That's my

[50:26] interpretation of what I read.

[50:31] So, so >> I I would like to just Yeah.

[50:34] » So, we have had uh legal counsel uh employment

[50:41] legal not to not to throw shade on our county attorney uh but I mean it's

[50:47] employment laws is a specific kind of law. So I just so we have had an opinion

[50:55] from our u employment law consultation that says yes this is a legal process

[51:04] that we have for the overtime after a >> and there is count time cannot be

[51:11] counted as work hours. I mean I would suggest to go back and

[51:16] define what that is too for the public so that everybody really understands

[51:20] that that just means that count time means you have to take other time off

[51:24] you can't get paid for it right it doesn't count for time if they choose to

[51:30] » well go ahead explain to explain to us

[51:34] explain to how the comp >> in lie of being paid at time and you can

[51:39] acrew a bank of hours at time and so it's a It's a benefit offered allowable

[51:45] up to 240 hours per code of federal regulation

[51:49] typically for public sector employees. >> We we have dialed that back a little

[51:56] bit. We h we as a department only allow a comp time approval of 120 hours, not

[52:06] 240.

[52:09] Okay. But but you can bank hours at a at time and a half

[52:15] for overtime hours work in lie of payment

[52:20] at time and a half. >> And that is

[52:24] » there's a section within the handbook that the employee gets the choice

[52:29] » to whether they do this or that with the except for the road department. Other

[52:33] departments handle that differently.

[52:39] In order to separate the road department out from our current handbook, then you

[52:43] would have to write a policy. >> I wrote a policy already because the

[52:50] current [clears throat] handbook does not define what

[52:54] » overtime approval and and use of comp time and and

[52:58] different things. So it defines work hours and which raises back what we

[53:02] talked about and every department is different. We're not we're not a factory

[53:07] that runs eight hours a day move. You know, everything's different. I would

[53:13] like to go back and answer the question about the legal opinion.

[53:16] » Sure. >> I don't know that there's been a formal

[53:20] legal opinion. I have an email and Alicia can speak to this August

[53:27] from from our council HR council on August 21st with some specific questions

[53:34] that I had to know about. Is overtime after eight hours a day

[53:39] allowed? If an individual policy allowing it, then it is allowed stating

[53:44] some code of federal regulation. Can vacation count as time work for

[53:48] calculating the overtime? If you have an individual policy

[53:52] allowing it, then it is allowed. Same question for holidays. Same answer.

[53:59] So, I didn't just take those answers and say we're done. I investigated those

[54:04] codes of federal regulation and how they specifically would apply to the Maring

[54:07] County Secondary Road Department. I would like to give an example if you

[54:14] have a few more minutes. So the example given in 29 CFR 778

[54:20] for uh calculating overtime for a holiday in a work week

[54:27] as time work or not as time work it gave scenarios

[54:32] and I actually I'll

[54:38] be best to look at the second page I want to hear the back side of

[54:45] So the in this example the employee is working a 40hour week five eight hour

[54:52] days. Uh

[54:56] Tuesday is a holiday in that week. Okay. And

[55:01] they worked eight hours on Monday, nine hours on Tuesday which was the hall. So

[55:06] physically working 8 n 88 88 8 and then they also worked a nine hour day on

[55:12] Saturday. Very typical example for the roof.

[55:16] We only get one holiday for Christmas. Christmas lands on a Tuesday. We're

[55:20] pushing snow on a Tuesday. Snow's on a Friday night. We're pushing

[55:25] snow on that Saturday. Okay. So very very typical. And that's very typical

[55:30] for multiple holidays for the road department. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New

[55:35] Year's, Veterans Day, Mday Day, any of those are fair game for this instance.

[55:44] If we apply the overtime after 8 rule, so what our current practice status quo,

[55:51] we would get nine hours of overtime pay and the holiday pay of eight hours on

[55:56] Tuesday. Additionally, we would get nine hours for Saturday because the hand

[56:00] previous defined Saturdays and Sundays as as overtime.

[56:07] If you apply the basic code effect of f federal

[56:12] regulation 29 CFR 778 refers to the act as section 7A of the act of the fair

[56:20] labor standards act which is overtime after 40 hours of work as the required

[56:28] minimum overtime payment. The only overtime [clears throat] during

[56:32] the work week would be one hour on Friday because they worked

[56:37] Monday through Friday and didn't hit over 40 until Friday. So, one hour of

[56:42] overtime paid on Friday and then all nine on Saturday would then be overtime.

[56:45] In this example, the work week begins on a Monday. Current practice, u so you're

[56:51] all aware, Mary County Handbook defines the work week beginning at 12:01 a.m. on

[56:57] Saturday morning. So, our work week is Saturday 12:01 a.m. to Friday at

[57:03] midnight. There's been some discussion. I'm not

[57:06] really going to get into that today, but for an equal comparison in this example,

[57:10] I use Monday 12:1 a.m. as the beginning of the work week. So, in overtime after

[57:16] 40, there would be 10 hours of overtime versus the overtime after 8, we would

[57:22] have 18 hours of overtime, whether that's taken as overtime pay or overtime

[57:27] or comp comp time also as proposed in June. So the policy

[57:33] that amendment or excuse me the handbook amendment section 4 that was brought

[57:36] before this board June 23rd of 2026 said overtime after 40 with holidays as time

[57:44] work not vacation holidays as time under that

[57:49] scenario with the work week as stated that would also yield 18 hours of time

[57:54] work. So now you may be asking well why that's that's equal to what we're doing

[58:00] now. Why am I so opposed to that? Well, there are also policies and practices

[58:05] that would have to be in place. So, as we work through pros and cons of

[58:08] overtime after 8 versus overtime after 40, there are pros and cons to each.

[58:14] But with overtime after 40, there were more cons regarding policies that we

[58:17] would have to put into place on how to administer

[58:21] and regulate time off, time work, regular hours. If some like in this

[58:27] example, if on Thursday somebody hits their overtime after 40, now we're going

[58:30] to have to have a policy that says, "Do you or do you not get time off on

[58:36] Friday? Are you expected to return to work?"

[58:40] There are ways to work through that. Though those are challenges that don't

[58:45] exist under Overtime Act 8 that we would have to work through. Is it impossible?

[58:49] No. But I'd like to provide a little bit more explanation.

[58:55] on this uh or insight of those scenarios where let's say we worked on Christmas

[59:01] pushing snow and then the following Saturday.

[59:03] » Before we leave this though, can I can I >> Yep.

[59:06] » Okay. So currently your second line overtime over 40. But if the compromise

[59:13] was to pay for holidays, >> that's the last one.

[59:19] » As proposed, >> time over 40, but including

[59:24] vacation and holiday. >> What was proposed in June did not

[59:28] include >> No, no, no. I said if that was a

[59:30] compromise, okay, >> you would still read 18.

[59:37] » That is correct. But there are

[59:40] policy and procedural challenges that come from.

[59:43] » I just think that we need to make sure that we understand that there yes there

[59:48] is policies there is procedural things that change.

[59:54] Tyler and I have had this discussion and I I will be frank. It it is really hard

[59:59] when you're governing taxpayer dollars and they're saying

[1:00:04] I don't get overtime rate. Why do they get it? I don't get the luxury of the 18

[1:00:11] days of, you know, of sick leave or the extra vacation, the comp time, the, you

[1:00:17] know, the diapers, the all that. And then when you come into this seat and

[1:00:21] you look at it big picture, you're like, "Oh my goodness, this is this is so

[1:00:27] different in every it's like all different silos, and you're supposed to

[1:00:31] try to keep track of it." And I I just I frankly I struggle with

[1:00:36] that. I think part of the tangible tangibleness of what was presented at

[1:00:42] the last board meeting was that if this is a budgetary discussion

[1:00:47] and everyone goes to the same work hours and overtime policies, it's actually

[1:00:53] going to cost the county money. Correct. >> Okay. So, I think what we have to think

[1:00:58] about is when you have law enforcement, okay, they're going to be carved out.

[1:01:04] Other than I do know that the sheriff's department, jailers and and um dispatch

[1:01:09] they are over um 40 with holidays and vacation included.

[1:01:14] » It's just the dispatch. >> It's just the dispatch, not the jailers.

[1:01:18] Okay. Sorry.

[1:01:21] » They're under 171 over 28. Okay. Um and then we have the rest of these. We have

[1:01:29] I mean we have some that currently are working 37 and a half and their overtime

[1:01:35] is 37. We have some that are 40. We have some that are eight.

[1:01:42] » We have no control over. >> No, we do on these six departments.

[1:01:46] » Oh, okay. >> Yeah. Just in ours. Just in ours, we

[1:01:50] have two that are over 40, two that are over 37 and a half, and two that are

[1:01:55] over eight.

[1:02:01] Regardless, I think what my point was was that leaving that meeting, it it's

[1:02:07] hard for me and hard for my employees to grasp

[1:02:12] this is a fiscal issue when when I state those numbers of potential savings for

[1:02:18] the road department and ultimately for the county as as a whole, but other

[1:02:23] departments going to the same policies will cost more So cumulatively

[1:02:29] » that doesn't make sense. So why make the change when it implements other

[1:02:33] challenges and the b the benefits they're getting? I'm going to explain a

[1:02:40] little bit more here if you like. But that I think

[1:02:45] one point that I I would tell you that is also a consideration for me is it's

[1:02:51] not all about the money. It's not all about pennies times. Some of it is just

[1:02:55] a matter of being consistent fair across all departments. Make sure everybody is

[1:03:00] treated as >> equable equally as we can. You can't

[1:03:05] have them all identical. I recognize that everybody's doing a different job.

[1:03:09] » And I think one of my next points will >> but I think you have to also make sure

[1:03:14] that one department isn't and I'm not

[1:03:18] suggesting you are. I'm just saying we have to look objectively each

[1:03:22] department. to make sure that each department is being treated fairly for

[1:03:27] the work that they do and the environment that they work in. They

[1:03:31] don't have to be identical. Fair is not identical.

[1:03:36] So that being said is it's not all about nickels and dimes. I want to make sure

[1:03:41] that we're treating everybody whether I'm in the auditor's office or the

[1:03:46] treasurer's office or the road department. Everybody feels like, yeah,

[1:03:50] you know what? I'm in great shape here. That's what I'm at.

[1:03:53] » So So I'm I'm I'm hearing that we're we're not looking at a one policy cover

[1:03:58] all >> if it doesn't fit. No.

[1:04:02] If it can't work, I don't. And again, anybody who's watched other

[1:04:06] people in there to Kisha's point earlier on,

[1:04:09] » the way the open meetings law, we've never had this discussion. So we're up

[1:04:14] here throwing stuff out that >> that's what's hard about this job and I

[1:04:19] find so frustrating. I am so oldfashioned, Jim. If I got a problem

[1:04:23] with somebody, I walk up to them and look in the face

[1:04:27] and I ask. We can't do that without breaking the law.

[1:04:30] » I agree. >> And I want to make sure that the public

[1:04:36] understands where we're we're going from this, too. Because again, I go big

[1:04:40] picture and I know that Tyler and I I have had our disagreements in the aspect

[1:04:44] of when you got 40% of your workforce in the county as um you know and they're

[1:04:54] looking at overtime over 40 and not including vacation and sick leave. It

[1:04:58] makes or not sick, sorry, holidays and vacation.

[1:05:03] We do have a premium and I I you know and I'm assuming Tyler's gonna say it is

[1:05:08] a premium. Okay, I get it that not all departments are going to be the same

[1:05:14] meaning from this department to what somebody you know sort of Henworthy did,

[1:05:19] you know, right? Um I just think while they're trying to fix

[1:05:24] » well because here here in lies the situation. We have these 30 employees

[1:05:30] that I felt like, oh, now what are we going to do with them from exempt to

[1:05:36] non-exempt? And this is what opened up. Um,

[1:05:42] I struggle with all the differences. I do I struggle with all the different

[1:05:47] silos and it's uh don't touch my silo. Don't touch me. This is what I've done.

[1:05:53] And I think that we need to be looking at big picture and I said this to Tyler

[1:05:59] and I would say this, you know, again, I'm saying this in an open meeting. If

[1:06:03] it's not that much of an impact, what's the big deal? What's the big deal in the

[1:06:07] change? >> Well, I still have a really important

[1:06:09] thing. Why don't in your thought

[1:06:15] that I unless you want to jump at

[1:06:20] » But yeah, I have a very important that I really would appreciate.

[1:06:25] » Okay. So, um, as the only other department that you all control that is

[1:06:30] overtime after 8, Tyler and I are lost out of this. Okay. It's important. Do

[1:06:35] you guys understand that hearing from the other side of overtime after 8?

[1:06:39] Yeah. At least the big pie is a lot smaller than his. So, we're somewhere

[1:06:44] around 13,000 in total overtime. We average three call outs a week all year

[1:06:50] long. That's while my people, my two guys are at home with their families.

[1:06:55] That's while it's holidays, that's on weekends. So, knowing that we are

[1:07:01] following federal statute minus the comp timing,

[1:07:06] I'm 100% fine of changing that aspect of it. And I would encourage the board. I

[1:07:12] understand because as a department head, I hear people say things to, "Well, it

[1:07:16] seems like you guys had it really, really good."

[1:07:19] I always win that argument. Believe it or not, I have never lost the argument

[1:07:24] when someone approaches me with either what we make or how good our benefits

[1:07:29] are. Because every time we have to go back and compare like to like. This is

[1:07:33] not apples to pairs. This is like to like. I understand that let's say 40% of

[1:07:38] our workforce in Marian County is overtime after eight. 40%

[1:07:42] » 40 or sorry, overtime after 40. >> Yeah, you're fine. Yep. That group of

[1:07:46] people doesn't get called in unscheduled an average three times a week. They

[1:07:51] don't >> on their behalf though. They are called

[1:07:53] in maybe that Thursday they're told they're showing up for overtime the next

[1:07:57] day and there's no or Saturday without >> that is that is an exception not the

[1:08:02] rule >> and that I do know that they have

[1:08:05] » it does happen. That is an exception not the rule. So my encouragement to the

[1:08:09] board is compare like to like because I hear it on wages too. It's been brought

[1:08:13] up both within county and out of county how well my people are compensated. I

[1:08:18] would encourage anyone to find someone like in the county that would be jealous

[1:08:24] of what my guys make because you won't. My son is a first year first year

[1:08:31] journeyman and makes more than I do. First year

[1:08:35] » and but we know that how many hours he puts in too, right? I mean a journeyman

[1:08:39] does. He puts in an hour. I bet he doesn't put more hours than I do in

[1:08:44] and this is not coming from a place of complaining about wages because this

[1:08:47] board will ask, "You've never heard a complaint about wage without my

[1:08:50] department." Not me, not any of my people. We're totally satisfied because

[1:08:55] the reason we do government service is the key word service.

[1:09:00] We don't do this job just because it's a job. We do this because we care about

[1:09:06] our communities. We care about our taxpayers. we are taxpayers and we want

[1:09:10] what's best for our local government. So I think that's an important distinction

[1:09:14] to make that every single county employee [clears throat] that I'm aware

[1:09:17] of comes to work because there's a service aspect of giving back to their

[1:09:21] community that matters. So what we're asking in return is let's compare like

[1:09:25] to like when my guys leave. The reason I'm in favor of overtime after 8 with

[1:09:31] the removal of comp time, which I'm 100% for, because federal law dictates it, is

[1:09:37] when they leave their families because I gave them 15 minutes because the jail

[1:09:40] had another issue or another air handler is down or there's an electrical outage,

[1:09:47] that should come with a premium. So, I'm I'm open to say it is premium.

[1:09:51] Absolutely. And it should be because everyone else in the trades gets that

[1:09:55] safe.

[1:09:58] That's where I'm at. So, >> yeah, I I can't argue that. I also look

[1:10:05] at it as um calculating the payroll and getting all

[1:10:12] that information and managing it and getting it to Jake's office in order to

[1:10:18] make the payrolls and everything. And I, you know, I would just propose or

[1:10:23] suggest that we as a group or we as a county also look at a pain management

[1:10:30] system that gets us off of, you know, doing time cards, time sheets and

[1:10:36] submitting stuff that I mean the environment I came from, you know, yes,

[1:10:42] the department heads and managers would get a rolled up calendar look at it and

[1:10:48] see what hours worked, hours in, hours out, whether they were on an hourly or

[1:10:53] whether they were exempt. Uh, and then they would approve or disapprove work

[1:10:57] with the employee on Yeah, it's a And in doing so, it sets us up in a situation

[1:11:03] where yeah, you may not call it overtime after eight, but we called it a

[1:11:08] differential rate or a call out rate or something that said exactly to your

[1:11:14] point is, okay, I've already worked my eight hours. I only had half an hour at

[1:11:18] home with my family and I got called in. That would be a call out rate, which

[1:11:23] it's not overtime, but it's a call out. You know what I mean?

[1:11:26] » And we actually do that now a little bit. So my department, they get two

[1:11:30] hours for a call out. I do not count that two hours as OT for clarification.

[1:11:35] So what I count is their phys to the jail and it takes an hour. They get one

[1:11:40] hour of o overtime and then they get two hours of straight time. And and let me

[1:11:45] clarify too is my my intention here is not to cut overtime for the sake of

[1:11:51] cutting overtime because we all know with the new tax laws. I don't want to

[1:11:55] define things not as overtime simply to make sure that it's taxable to the

[1:11:59] federal government because I don't want to put anybody in that kind of a

[1:12:03] situation either. I'm just suggesting that we're we're trying to look at it in

[1:12:07] a way that again is simplifying the process but still making sure that we

[1:12:12] take care of the employees in the face that set them uh in a way that yeah they

[1:12:18] are being compensated fairly and appropriately for the work that they do

[1:12:21] in the time that they're doing. So Chris, I just for clarification, so if

[1:12:26] they have a call out and it's takes them an hour, but you give them two hours, do

[1:12:30] you pay them overtime or straight? >> Pay them overtime only for the time

[1:12:34] work. So let's say so we have a twohour minimum that they're getting paid for.

[1:12:38] If that took one hour, that's one hour of overtime, one hour of straight time.

[1:12:44] » Okay. there there is some code of federal

[1:12:48] regulation specific to call out pay um that will likely impact how we currently

[1:12:54] do it. So when I talk the two things that were the non-compliance issues that

[1:12:59] I mentioned very early on would be the comp time worked and how call out pay is

[1:13:06] it's really on the payroll side we have to change how we're paying it depending

[1:13:12] whether they actually work let's say they get a minimum of two but they only

[1:13:15] work one that's recorded differently unless they from if they worked two or

[1:13:23] half hour That's different because the time that

[1:13:27] they're getting paid for that they don't work is treated differently than the

[1:13:31] time they work in that call period per code of regulation.

[1:13:36] So I think the county would need to be on board the code of regulation

[1:13:41] regardless of how departments handle call.

[1:13:43] » Yes. I I think that's >> I think that there's so many differences

[1:13:47] that I also at the end of the day we need as a board need to think about

[1:13:52] » some departments you know are going to be like well I want to have that too

[1:13:55] right so when looking at the budget overall it may come to a point that we

[1:14:01] may say you got to look at your overtime right you know and um I guess as a as it

[1:14:09] a budget time we need to know more about how much money you are spending in your

[1:14:12] overtime what you have aotted in your budget for that

[1:14:15] » I have on typically use 38% of that

[1:14:21] which 37 and change that I gave you earlier

[1:14:26] and half >> um

[1:14:29] » so limiting overs like Chris is way easier said than done

[1:14:36] » my point earlier about the nature of our work is dictated by things that are out

[1:14:40] of our control >> and I think Chris's point about

[1:14:43] providing public service. The sacrifice so far because we provide public service

[1:14:49] and that's part of our part of the way that our policies are

[1:14:54] set up make it so we don't have a problem with employees showing up in

[1:15:00] those difficult crazy hours and oftentimes very repetitive crazy hours.

[1:15:07] I think that part of my point that I wanted to make earlier about

[1:15:12] if Christmas is on that Tuesday, you know, we're reporting to work on that

[1:15:16] Tuesday. Yes, we get paid eight hours, but we and we also get overtime. Well,

[1:15:25] then we're going to look at Saturday, too. So, in in Christmas, and Chris is

[1:15:29] probably similar stays. >> They they lost the benefit of the

[1:15:35] holiday. Yeah. they got picked. You know, they lost the benefit of what a

[1:15:39] holiday is. It's a time of rest. And I think CO better regulation defines that

[1:15:44] weekends and holidays as times of reps intentionally.

[1:15:51] We lose that. We lose time. So if you look at this in a net personal time

[1:15:56] overtime after 40 in that scenario I gave you is a net negative -3 hours of

[1:16:01] personal time lost by these employees provided public service. Under our

[1:16:06] current practice they would net nine hours of personal time through comp time

[1:16:13] or through payment o of overtime. But that's the benefit to them for

[1:16:19] disarranging their life being called in at 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve to come work

[1:16:25] on Christmas because the weatherman didn't get a ride

[1:16:29] and now we're here so everybody else can get to Christmas and now we're reporting

[1:16:35] to work six days later. House employee doesn't have that opportunity. Got their

[1:16:41] holiday reported four times. >> Let me ask you this and again I'm I'm

[1:16:44] asking only because they don't know So who manages the call outs

[1:16:49] » in my department? Largely Mike McMurray the road manage super.

[1:16:53] » Okay. I mean I've again question because past history I mean there are occasions

[1:17:01] where people can manage people can manage and I'm not suggesting we are

[1:17:06] please don't misunderstand my question. My only comment is we just need separate

[1:17:12] those so that there is a clear line of distinction between you know who who has

[1:17:18] the authority to do that. >> I manage the overtime in my department

[1:17:22] and I would happily tell you that neither one of my guys are ecstatic when

[1:17:28] I call at night or 2 o'clock in the morning and say, "Hey, I need to go to

[1:17:32] the jail." >> Yeah. I I

[1:17:34] » and and >> I have to ask that question. Absolutely.

[1:17:39] Good question. >> Snow removal is actually in part

[1:17:42] dictated by the snow and removal ordinance that the county have in

[1:17:46] effect. Our work hours are dictated somewhat by that ordinance. And Mike

[1:17:51] works within the confines of that. And generally

[1:17:55] I I trust Mike 100% with his judgment. >> So do I. days. We still have many

[1:18:01] conversations throughout the banner and many of those are at 11 p.m. when he's

[1:18:06] going to be calling these guys at 2 a.m. and we're trying to make a decision or

[1:18:10] he's letting know what his decision is, which I trust.

[1:18:14] » Believe me, Jim, I know what it's all about.

[1:18:16] » I'm sure you do. >> I'm sure you can give me an education.

[1:18:20] We haven't been able to sit down and have that talk.

[1:18:22] » It looks like Jason behind you,

[1:18:26] » Tyler. The guy behind you with a gun wants to say just two seconds on it. I

[1:18:30] and I do realize that no matter where the overtime is in different

[1:18:35] departments, whether it be at the courthouse, whether it be here,

[1:18:37] different places, I mean, my what I just would encourage is the leaders of those

[1:18:42] areas, just listen to them. I mean, where it is because everybody, the

[1:18:47] public service side, I know people don't want to be called out. We have it all

[1:18:51] the time. We're our guys. I mean, whether it be overtime or different

[1:18:53] things. Society's changed. I mean, there's a lot of people that I mean,

[1:18:57] will give up to to have that time at home with their families versus getting

[1:19:01] the extra pay or what, but just please listen to them. I mean, that's all I

[1:19:06] want to add to it is and and and I know the fairness side of this came up in my

[1:19:09] 14 years at chair. I mean, but there's times that different positions, that's

[1:19:14] where you have to listen to. I mean, if he's making that decision to call

[1:19:17] somebody out, he's doing it for a reason. If Tyler is, they're doing it

[1:19:21] for a reason. They're not to screw over another department or to hurt another

[1:19:25] department or to say, "Hey, we're better than other department. They're just

[1:19:28] trying to provide a public service." >> In every decision that I make, I know

[1:19:34] some other department heads are in the same with accountability to the

[1:19:37] taxpayer. I know guarantees too. >> Yes. But I also know I also know that

[1:19:43] when I make those calls or Mike makes those calls,

[1:19:47] every hand in this aisle is going to go up when it's Christmas Day and we got to

[1:19:50] go push up because they understand that responsibility of public service that

[1:19:55] they signed up for. But they also understand that we're going to get a

[1:19:59] benefit for disarranging our life, upsetting our personal time, losing it

[1:20:04] entirely. You can't always get that back.

[1:20:09] And nobody's calling my phone and saying you're working too many hours.

[1:20:14] » In fact, it's very much of the opposite. >> So, I'm gonna say this because I think

[1:20:19] it's important that when time comes and if it does and we're looking at because

[1:20:25] of the 2% cap that we may have to have a discussion on overtime and it may affect

[1:20:33] the citizens because why? Because there at the end of

[1:20:38] the day, we only have so much money. >> It may affect the laws of sweet.

[1:20:41] » Exactly. And that's what I think that people need to understand that no

[1:20:45] difference than when we were talking about humane society is that we have to

[1:20:50] look at the contracts whether it's the library. We have to look at we have to

[1:20:53] look at all this. It doesn't make our job any easier. But I think that I also

[1:20:59] don't want to have um oh gosh, they're doing it so I'm going to do it. And then

[1:21:04] all of a sudden we're creating this m mon montrocity of overtime because we

[1:21:08] can because we've all done our own thing and that's hard too. And so when we look

[1:21:13] at big picture it makes it when when I have in my own six and then we have all

[1:21:19] the others there's like 17 departments just so the public knows there's 17

[1:21:24] different departments in county government and they may all have their

[1:21:28] own policy. What? Just a quick question in regards to that. Do we know what

[1:21:33] other counties spend on overtime rate at the road departments? Do we know? I

[1:21:37] mean, way, way low. I mean, maybe you go to a county west of us, north of us,

[1:21:41] east of us, and they're spending 100,000 in [clears throat] overtime on different

[1:21:45] things. I mean, those are the things. And I understand what you're saying as

[1:21:48] supervisors on that budgetary side of it, but sometimes I don't know if we

[1:21:52] look at the big picture of where it is everywhere else around us. And these

[1:21:56] guys might be doing a fabulous job on keeping it at 39.

[1:21:59] » Everybody else is going to taste it if you can't afford it.

[1:22:01] » I I I understand, but I mean there's areas that I mean we had discussions.

[1:22:06] » Yeah, we we've had areas of discussion on on where to cut and different things.

[1:22:10] That's a whole another discussion. >> When I wor when I worked I didn't want

[1:22:13] to work all the time, but when I was called I came.

[1:22:16] » Yeah. Hey, hey, hey, wait. I don't think anybody's going to abuse.

[1:22:21] » Got to bring up something though because we're having a work session and I think

[1:22:24] it's important to talk about it. Let's talk about it.

[1:22:28] They're called out. What is their overtime?

[1:22:32] » Most time we I now talk with my employee comp time. I've already done overtime

[1:22:38] between previous employee and employee I have now. So, what do you do for when

[1:22:42] you call out like midnight, server's down, sheriff can't be down?

[1:22:47] » Usually, most times it's me who gets called out for that that type of stuff.

[1:22:52] But if it's something like um a deputy calls, usually it's like every half an

[1:22:57] hour at cop time that after like 31 that's another half an hour. So,

[1:23:05] » but your salary? >> Yeah.

[1:23:07] » So, you're doing that for >> under your salary? You're not doing it

[1:23:11] for extra comp. >> No.

[1:23:13] » Okay. >> But I think

[1:23:15] » No, I just I just think that the board needs to think of those things.

[1:23:17] » But I but I also think we can't get away from the times that I mean I can tell

[1:23:20] you this in my office. There's many times deputies stay after. I mean and

[1:23:25] and they they get to the point that they're giving hours far far more than

[1:23:29] taking. So at some point if if it becomes so strict on whatever it is on

[1:23:34] if it's whatever the policies if there's no leeway ever in county government or

[1:23:39] whatever it's going to cost more >> Jason that's not my my that's my point

[1:23:44] I'm just thinking of your just said what you're supportive so I'm just saying I

[1:23:49] think that what we have to be mindful of >> I'm supportive of it too but

[1:23:54] » I'm supportive of your office too >> but what I'm saying is it can cost far

[1:23:58] more when when when you start getting to places on it, it can cost far more. I

[1:24:02] mean, we're at 171. I won't even get to the sheriff's office, but but getting

[1:24:06] you you give up. We're giving up those 11 hours.

[1:24:10] » So, all of a sudden, you get to the point or whatever where where you no

[1:24:13] longer have that flexibility on different things and it's going to and

[1:24:17] you now have a sheriff's office with that's high going to be far far more on

[1:24:21] overtime rates or different things too when that discussion comes into play.

[1:24:25] So, you just have to balance that whole side of things. You know what? At at the

[1:24:29] end of the day, I bring it up because I want people to know that there are Drews

[1:24:34] out there saying a word. >> He's not He's not saying a word. And I

[1:24:39] appreciate that. And I know that he's doing it because he's doing his service.

[1:24:43] And I appreciate that. Um I do think though that we have some that will be

[1:24:49] Tyler, I appreciate you going to bat for your for, you know, your team. Okay. And

[1:24:54] that's important just as Chris did. Okay. just as you are.

[1:24:58] » I'm going about I'm going to bat for all counting points. I mean that that's what

[1:25:02] I'm truly trying to to say here is is no matter if it's Drew or whoever it is and

[1:25:08] there's different times. >> Yeah. I mean that that you have to I

[1:25:12] mean if somebody calls somebody Jake during election years if his people are

[1:25:16] going above and beyond which they are numerous times how do we make that fair

[1:25:21] and that's there's a difference but you have to trust the electeds or

[1:25:26] those people to do that >> it's pretty hard to be equitable with a

[1:25:30] division of the services that are provided

[1:25:35] » and I don't think anybody's intention is to screw it down so tight so that the

[1:25:39] department don't have some flexibility how to manage their reporting needs to

[1:25:42] do those things. I think at least from my perspective I have two goals here.

[1:25:46] Number one uh make sure that we're legal, make sure that we're doing things

[1:25:51] that meet the smell test from the state and federal government because I really

[1:25:54] don't get uh don't uh uh enjoy getting subpoenas and those kind of things or

[1:26:01] threatened by the government that we're doing something wrong. That's number

[1:26:04] one. And number two is I don't understand how this that process works

[1:26:08] for the department. And you know what? That's what we're

[1:26:12] here for is if a constituent comes up to me and says, "I've heard these things on

[1:26:18] how the sheriff's department is paid or the road department or the maintenance

[1:26:21] department and I disagree with it. What do you think?" I sure as hell better

[1:26:26] know what to think because I don't know. I mean, right? It falls on us and we're

[1:26:32] we're elected just as those other elected departments.

[1:26:36] » Oh yeah. >> And shruging my shoulders and saying I

[1:26:40] don't know. >> I let them do whatever. I'm um back to

[1:26:45] what you were talking about software um for doing. Yep. I think that is

[1:26:52] important especially with >> and it's ending in 28 but doesn't mean

[1:26:58] that overtime isn't going to happen. Um Tyler, how much time do you guys spend

[1:27:03] on tracking overtime? >> Not over time tracking time sheets.

[1:27:07] » D I mean Mike has to drive around to pick up paper time cards

[1:27:12] » from all the shops. He reviews them. Brian reviews them. I mean hours every

[1:27:17] other week. >> I I'm involved. Tammy, Brian, Mike, and

[1:27:22] Mike. >> This is so that everybody understands

[1:27:25] perspective. This is the first anybody has talked about this publicly. Jake has

[1:27:30] got a scared look on this. >> But also, I mean, those are some of the

[1:27:36] things where I clearly come from the private sector and we try to build

[1:27:41] efficiency in doing some of those things. And that's all my suggestion is

[1:27:44] is we're trying to build accuracy and efficiency for that process.

[1:27:48] » Yeah. the trade management. >> Yeah. No, I know. I recognize that, but

[1:27:52] there's certain things that can't be >> and just making sure that in under

[1:27:55] compliance. I mean, there are things that I mean, we can key in things wrong.

[1:28:00] I mean, not that we do, but I mean, I do think that it would help with the

[1:28:04] process and it it's a time reference. I do think so. If Mike's not doing that,

[1:28:09] taking how muchever time it takes, you know, he could work on another project.

[1:28:13] Correct. >> Right.

[1:28:14] » Correct. Okay. >> Two quick points. Over the last couple

[1:28:17] years, I've researched a lot of those softwares and they are capable of doing

[1:28:21] really whatever you wanted to do with county department crew and individual

[1:28:27] personnel level policies for whatever whether it's overtime, regular hours

[1:28:34] very they a good version of those softwares is very capable of really

[1:28:39] tailoring to the needs and some are very specific to local governments. My other

[1:28:44] point is I hope when we get into the discussions about in-depth discussions

[1:28:49] about budgets moving forward, I hope the road department still gets credits for a

[1:28:54] proactive approach of reducing our full-time employees by two at the

[1:28:59] supervisory level that we've dealt with which has resulted

[1:29:05] in some more overtime for certain personnel because of that reduction in

[1:29:09] full-time staff. I hope we get credit for that because I proactively took a

[1:29:15] look at our budget in our incoming revenues, not including House File 718

[1:29:20] or Senate File 2472, not looking at restrictions imposed by

[1:29:26] the state legislator, just looking at revenues coming in as

[1:29:30] property tax and secondary or excuse me, road use tax. I un understood

[1:29:38] difficult times were coming because those revenues coming into the road

[1:29:41] department were not keeping up with inflation and we needed to make tangible

[1:29:45] changes and we've done it across the board including sacrificing in our

[1:29:49] personnel line item already. I hope we get credit for that

[1:29:54] when looking at things moving forward which [clears throat] resulted in more

[1:29:58] overtime >> and yes I agree and I but I also would

[1:30:01] think that all departments are looking at that.

[1:30:05] » I think we all have to look at how we're going to be more efficient. It's you

[1:30:09] know that's just what part of management is is being more efficient. No different

[1:30:13] than us. We're just looking. We're wanting to talk about this again about

[1:30:17] any public feeding. Making sure efficiencies.

[1:30:21] » I think we said something. Did you have something you wanted to say? I

[1:30:23] » want to say that um

[1:30:27] » I just want to say that I have been looking at uh software for the whole

[1:30:32] county and I'm confident that we can find something out there that that's

[1:30:37] within our budget. Um it takes longer than um I've anticipated to get some

[1:30:42] quotes. Um, I've had ask for some. Um, I'm looking at one. Um, I think Neo gov

[1:30:50] uh was one that we looked at, wasn't it? >> Yep.

[1:30:54] » Um, of course you can have the Taj Mahal and you can have all of it, which I

[1:30:57] would love, but um, a small portion of it. I think it's something that the

[1:31:02] county will need to look at and it's affordable and I think that it would

[1:31:07] save a lot of time and then also make sure that we calculate everything

[1:31:12] correctly. >> That is

[1:31:14] » I think that's important. >> Yes. Making sure that due to not Yeah.

[1:31:19] stacking, filing, whatever you want. >> I didn't say that. Nope. Nope. I I

[1:31:24] didn't >> No, you said we're saying that we're

[1:31:26] doing it. It's just we're human and if we can have the system to make sure that

[1:31:31] we're not doing it, it just safeguards us.

[1:31:34] » I remember when I started county, we didn't have computers.

[1:31:39] » We didn't have cell phones either. We didn't have internet.

[1:31:43] » Did we have bars then? [laughter]

[1:31:47] » Okay. >> I will have a I will have quotes for you

[1:31:50] at some point. It's just not going to be immediately. Um it is time consuming.

[1:31:55] And I have one vendor that's out that I really want to quote from. Uh so I won't

[1:32:00] have anything until the middle of September.

[1:32:03] » Okay. >> Appreciate that.

[1:32:06] » I have one final thought for and it's a good one. Okay. We may be at

[1:32:12] disagreement on this, but I think I can speak for every single county employee

[1:32:17] and every department head almost eight years. The one thing I've

[1:32:22] everybody is willing to come to the what's best for the taxpayer. Everybody.

[1:32:28] We are going to disagree on small things which I think from a budgetary

[1:32:33] standpoint it is a small portion but an important portion to consider. The

[1:32:38] overtime aspect of it. I don't want to minimize a dollar let alone between both

[1:32:43] of our eight hour overtime pay departments roughly 47 to 48,000. Right?

[1:32:50] I don't want to minimize that. That's a lot of money.

[1:32:53] » We're all willing to come to the table and have conversations.

[1:32:56] » No, I know. And I appreciate I really do.

[1:32:58] » We appreciate that the poor also take seriously.

[1:33:02] » And if we allis that would be boring.

[1:33:05] » It would be extremely boring. >> I mean, that's the truth. I mean, we

[1:33:08] should be able to sit here and have conversation and not be like, "Okay,

[1:33:11] yep." You know, >> and I made that statement, right? for

[1:33:14] the benefit of the public to understand that we may have our disagreements on

[1:33:18] things like this, but as a whole, I I've been around a as a former military man,

[1:33:24] I've been around a lot of government, and I've been around a lot of private

[1:33:27] sector, which is most of my life. I would say that as a whole, this place

[1:33:32] works more efficiently than most private sector businesses I've been in

[1:33:36] management in in a long time. So, I I think we're on the right track. I like

[1:33:42] the fact that we had communication today. So, I appreciate that and we look

[1:33:45] forward to having more communication as we start talking about budgets. So,

[1:33:49] thank you for that. >> You know, Chris, it's really hard making

[1:33:51] decisions on if even if you agree with somebody.

[1:33:56] I want to make that decision, but sometimes the checkbook don't let you.

[1:34:02] » Absolutely. >> That's the hard part.

[1:34:06] Okay. >> So, it's now back to us board. I feel

[1:34:08] that it's important. Um if you go to your packet

[1:34:14] in your packet we have what is the current um policy and then what was

[1:34:21] proposed. Um I'm the proposal was just changing a

[1:34:27] couple of words which but did impact greatly when it come to uh overtime

[1:34:33] because David did not

[1:34:37] Uh, [clears throat] I need to know where we're going from.

[1:34:42] Are we putting this on the agenda for the end

[1:34:47] of the month uh to make that decision? Do you even want an agenda item? Do you

[1:34:53] want to leave it as current and not? And know that come budget time, we're

[1:35:02] probably going to have to talk to each department a little bit more about in

[1:35:05] depth. about their overtime

[1:35:18] or do you want to just have the agenda item and we'll think on it and then

[1:35:24] we'll make a decision there. I just I want to know whether we want the agenda

[1:35:27] item or not. That's kind of where I'm with and that's why I brought it in as a

[1:35:32] » my personal opinion.

[1:35:36] I don't want to. I like I said, why why why fix it if it ain't broke? I I just

[1:35:41] assume leave it the way and I'm not saying what what what are you calling

[1:35:46] the current? >> Uh the current is we'd have to change

[1:35:50] some verbiage. I think there's an update in there. It talks about comp and that

[1:35:54] has to be removed um because compensation can't be considered. Um and

[1:35:59] that's uh so there would be some sort of update but it would not be significantly

[1:36:04] updating it to what was proposed in June.

[1:36:09] I would put it on the agenda in 30 days give us an opportunity to

[1:36:15] digest this a little bit further. Uh but I also don't think we want to ignore it

[1:36:19] especially after a hour long work session here. um that we need to

[1:36:25] consciously make the decision to either maintain where we are today or make a

[1:36:30] change. So I think it does warrant us having it on the agenda for a vote

[1:36:38] changes. We've looked at it, we've investigated it, and this is what we

[1:36:42] want to stay with or we've looked at it. We've investigated it and these are the

[1:36:46] changes that we're going to make. However it is presented is doesn't

[1:36:51] matter to me. But I think it's important for us to make a uh a

[1:36:57] communicated and a thoughtful vote on whether we maintain it or we change

[1:37:04] » and not just ignore it. >> Okay. So the next meeting is the 22nd.

[1:37:09] Um we give the 90 days on the 23rd for kind of how our ruling. Are you wanting

[1:37:14] to do that in two weeks? Um are you but because the next meeting because of the

[1:37:19] way the land's going to be till October 13th

[1:37:24] » is that going to affect any timing things or anything?

[1:37:30] » Not really. I mean it's just I'm just a rule follower. I'm just I

[1:37:36] said 90 days so I like to follow. Well, I'm I'm leaning towards Kyler and

[1:37:43] Chris's. >> So, but I mean, at the end of the day, I

[1:37:46] mean, if we're gonna make that Yeah. decision just to put it on there. I just

[1:37:51] um and it gives us time to hear from the people.

[1:37:55] » I mean, it does. It does. I mean, we clearly, you know, I'm sure there'll be

[1:38:00] some sort of, you know, posting and that we have this work session and then, you

[1:38:04] know, the people we'll hear from people. So I have no issue with putting it on

[1:38:08] either any nor do I. I think either one is fine.

[1:38:13] » Okay. >> Well, I think for my sake to be

[1:38:16] compliant, I would like it to be um for my

[1:38:21] 22nd. >> That's fine.

[1:38:23] » Okay. All right. >> Okay. Um great discussion.

[1:38:29] Uh, I appreciate your guys's willingness and if there's topics like this, this is

[1:38:33] probably what we'll have to do in the future because this is I think

[1:38:36] effective. I think what you hear from the people and it gives everybody else

[1:38:40] chance the public to hear what we have to say too. So,

[1:38:42] » well, we can make we can make these decisions when we like this. But in the

[1:38:47] future, like like I said earlier, there may there may become a time in the not

[1:38:52] so distant future when the people and us are going to have to decide what

[1:38:56] services are most important. >> And just like the main society, we love

[1:39:02] to hear from the public. Send us information, your thoughts, your

[1:39:06] concerns. Love to hear from you. So [clears throat] I've got a great big

[1:39:09] huge inbox email. So fill it up. >> [laughter]

[1:39:16] » All right, with that I entertain a motion to close the discussion.

[1:39:20] » So second >> I

[1:39:28] » item number seven order. >> Uh I have aation meeting next week.

[1:39:37] » Uh I have a landfill meeting tomorrow. Um just to update the board, uh continue

[1:39:44] to have meetings for uh the task force for the the governor on the outdoor rent

[1:39:48] um department. We need our um now a couple times meetings tomorrow.

[1:39:55] So long hours long three hours. So >> that's all I have a motion to move to.

[1:40:03] » Second oppose. All right.

[1:40:09] Thank you everyone.

Marion County Iowa 9.8.2026 BOS Regular Session

Transcript