Dickinson County Board of Supervisors

December 20, 2005  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 

      Present are Supervisors Chairperson David Gottsche, Mardi Allen, Paul Johnson, Pam Jordan and Wayne Northey.

 

      Brian Peterson, Superior Ethanol, LLC, spokesperson, present concerning the proposal for tax abatement on the proposed ethanol plant near Superior that had been presented several weeks ago.  Moved by Northey, seconded by Johnson to approve and adopt the following resolution:  RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE TAX ABATEMENT FOR SUPERIOR ETHANOL, LLC.

      WHEREAS, Superior Ethanol, LLC intends to build an ethanol plant with a capacity to produce 50 million gallons of ethanol (C2H5OH) in Dickinson County, Iowa, and

      WHEREAS, Superior Ethanol, LLC will create 30 new high quality jobs and make a capital investment of $80,000,000.00 in facilities in the County have a positive financial impact on the entire area, and

      WHEREAS, Superior Ethanol, LLC intends to apply to receive substantial benefits through the State of Iowa initiative known as the High Quality Jobs Program, and

      WHEREAS, one of those benefits is the ability to receive local property tax exemptions for up to 20 years on the value of the new property, and

      WHEREAS, Superior Ethanol, LLC is in need of financial assistance in the form of tax exemptions from Dickinson County in order to make the project more viable.

      BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors, as follows:

1.         That Dickinson County intends to negotiate a development agreement for property tax exemptions with Superior Ethanol, LLC for 100% of the new taxes for a period of 12 years.  Thereafter, for the thirteenth (13th) through fifteenth (15th) assessment year, at 50% of the taxes.

2.           To qualify for the special property taxation under this Ordinance, the taxpayer shall file with the Dickinson County Assessor by February 1, of the assessment year in which the property is first assessed for property tax purposes and by February 1 of each year thereafter, a Statement of Intent stating that the manufacturing facility continues to be used for the production of ethanol (C2H5OH) and ethanol related co-products.  In addition, the Statement of Intent shall contain the name of the contact person for the taxpayer, including the phone number, fax number and mailing address.

3.         If, in the opinion of the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors, it is determined that the property and manufacturing facility located thereon is no longer being utilized for the production of ethanol (C2H5OH) and ethanol related co-products, or other renewable fuels, the manufacture of which is not significantly detrimental to the environment, the Board may repeal this ordinance.

4.         The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors recognizes that this is a private enterprise.  The sole issue presented to the Board relates to tax abatement.  By taking the foregoing action, the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors assumes no responsibility for the economic viability of this operation. 

 

Roll call vote:  Allen-aye, Jordan-aye, Johnson-aye, Northey-aye and Gottsche-aye.  Resolution adopted.

 

      Time for the public hearing on the road vacation of 270th Place.  Several residents in attendance presented a petition requesting that the board not vacate 270th Place road located in the vicinity of the Sand Bar Beach Resort stating that this public road is important to may people for lake viewing and some fishing opportunities at the bridges.  The Yarnes family requesting the road vacation is out of town at the present time.  It was moved by Northey, seconded by Allen to continue the public hearing to January 17, 2006 at 10:00 A.M.  All voted aye.

 

      Courthouse project owner’s representative gave his weekly construction progress report.  Moved by Northey, seconded by Johnson to approve the purchase of nine cameras and three speakers in the jail holding cell with wiring and hook-up at a cost of between $18,000 and $20,000 as will be listed in a change order to come.  All voted aye.

 

      Moved by Allen, seconded by Jordan to approve Change Order #27 in the amount of $19,016.00 as follows:

1.        Modifications to Phase One Site Parking area—0

2.        Add roof curb to generator radiator over Sally Port-$781.00

3.        Addition Phase 2 foundation pad reinforcing-$7990.00

4.        Additional bracing of CMU shear wall at grid line E-$1439.00

5.        Revisions to temporary and permanent site pedestrian paving-$8573.00

6.        Moving existing shed near courthouse to church site-$233.00 with the owner’s rep. to discuss with the county engineer to salvage the temporary sidewalk when demolished.  All voted aye.

 

      IT present with quotations for Internet service.  Moved by Allen, seconded by Johnson to approve changes to Qwest for DSL Internet service at a monthly rate of $133.00 per month to begin January 15, 2006.  All voted aye.

 

      Moved by Allen, seconded by Northey to approve an addition to the telephone system contract for the new courthouse in the amount of $3616.79.  All voted aye.

 

      Moved by Allen, seconded by Northey to approve the letter of agreement with the City of Milford for the combining of election precincts of Okoboji Township, Milford Township and Westport Township with the City of Milford.  All voted aye.

 

      Time for the consideration of the first reading of Ordinance No. 05-8 an ordinance adopting the combining of election precincts by redistricting and reprecincting.  There being no written or oral objections, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Johnson to approve the first reading of said Ordinance No. 05-8.  All voted aye.

 

      Moved by Allen, seconded by Northey to appoint Pam Jordan to the RC&D Board with Barbara Tagami to be the alternate.  All voted aye.

 

      Sheriff Baloun present to request an increase in the bargaining unit’s salary schedule for jailers and dispatchers.  He states that he is having difficulties hiring personnel for the positions currently vacant due to the salaries.  Baloun feels that his budget would need to be amended for approximately $40,000.  The board will consult with legal counsel concerning procedure with the bargaining unit and asked the sheriff for more solid numbers as to the overall impact to the budget.

     

      Moved by Allen, seconded by Johnson to adjourn.  All present voted aye.

 

 

_______________________________David Gottsche, Chairperson

 

 

_______________________________Nancy Reiman, Auditor