Meeting Events: Stephenson County Board Meeting
Deterministic civic events derived from machine-generated meeting records. These events are reviewable public-reference artifacts, not official minutes.
Source
Meeting Events
Meeting: zupy_cxd8rk.stephenson_county_board_meeting_2_19_26
Meeting date: 2026-02-19
Meeting type: county_board
This is a deterministic derived artifact, not official meeting minutes. Related records may be grouped for review while complete machine provenance remains in the JSON artifact.
Decisions and Votes
Approval of tonight’s agenda — Passed
- Summary: Motion made by Mrs. Baker to approve tonight’s agenda.
- Evidence: “Can I get an approval for tonight’s agenda, please, by Mrs. Baker?”
- Evidence: “Is there a second? By Mr. Diddens.”
- Evidence: “Seeing none, if you would go ahead and vote for approval of the agenda. I believe that passes unanimously.”
- Source timestamp: 06:14
Approval of consent agenda — Passed
- Summary: Motion made by Mr. Newton to approve the consent agenda.
- Evidence: “As far as a consent agenda, are there any items that would be, or any board members would like have removed seeing none is there a motion to approve the consent agenda by mr. Newton”
- Evidence: “is there a second by mr. Brandt”
- Evidence: “if you would please go ahead and vote for approval of the consent agenda I believe that passes you know unanimously as well”
- Source timestamp: 07:12
Approval of Special Use Permit for Single Family Dwelling at 9251 West Cedarville Road
- Summary: Motion to approve the special use permit subject to condition that the soil boring and be completed.
- Evidence: “Is there a motion to approve by Mr. Jogerst?”
- Review flags: unattached_motion_request
- Source timestamp: 15:50
Approval of Special Use Permit for Dog Boarding, Daycare, and Grooming Facility at 9350 North Unity Road — Passed
- Summary: The vote passed unanimously.
- Evidence: “Is there a motion to approve by Mr. Diddens?”
- Evidence: “That also passes unanimously.”
- Source timestamp: 17:27
Approval of Special Use Permit for Single Family Dwelling at 8706 East Rideout Road — Passed
- Summary: The vote passed unanimously.
- Evidence: “Is there a motion to approve Mrs. Williams second by Mrs. Hayes”
- Evidence: “and that passes unanimously”
- Source timestamp: 18:08
Appointment of Renata Hepler to Mental Health Board
- Summary: Motion to approve the appointment of Renata Hepler to the mental health board.
- Evidence: “the approval of the appointment of Renata Hepler to the mental health board by Mr. Bush.”
- Evidence: “the approval of the appointment of Diane Yokum to the mental health board.”
- Source timestamp: 19:57
Approval of Appointment to 708 Board — Failed
- Summary: Motion regarding the appointment to the 708 board.
- Evidence: “I would also like to speak with this Mr. Whalen, would you mind coming up and sitting in my seat while I address this podium?”
- Evidence: “It appears that motion is to approve is defeated.”
- Source timestamp: 22:01
Approval of motion (unspecified) — Failed
- Summary: Motion to approve was defeated with only one yes vote recorded for Mrs. Williams.
- Evidence: “It appears that motion is to approve is defeated. If I’m looking at this correctly, there was only one yes vote and that was Mrs. Williams.”
- Source timestamp: 23:59
Approval of three memorandums from Public Property and Safety Committee — Passed
- Summary: Motion to approve all three memorandums presented by Mr. Bush.
- Evidence: “so the motion is to approve all three memorandums”
- Evidence: “a second by mr. Jogerst is there any discussion seeing none you may go ahead and vote and that passes unanimously.”
- Source timestamp: 26:10
Approval of agreement with DevNet for KAMA and EDGE license maintenance and support — Passed
- Summary: Motion to approve the renewal contract with DevNet for KAMA and EDGE license maintenance and support.
- Evidence: “First one is approval of agreement with DevNet for KAMA and with EDGE license maintenance and support. This is our assessor says this is a renewal contract we’ve had in place for about 15 years.”
- Evidence: “Is there a second? Second. By Mr. Moderow. Is there any discussion on this? Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for this. That passes unanimously 13 to 0.”
- Source timestamp: 27:04
Approval of agreement with Empower Health Services for employee wellness screenings — Passed
- Summary: Motion to approve the agreement with Empower Health Services for employee wellness screenings.
- Evidence: “The second one is approval of agreement with Empower Health Services for employee wellness screenings. This is a another duplicate we’ve done for the last four or five years here and the cost has stayed pretty steady.”
- Evidence: “Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for this item. That also passes unanimously.”
- Source timestamp: 28:28
New approval of agreement with Empower Health Services for a walking program
- Summary: Motion to approve the new agreement with Empower Health Services for a walking program for county employees.
- Evidence: “We have another, we have a new approval of agreement with Empower Health Services for a walking program for the county employees and I think the basic cost here is like $700 flat fee”
- Source timestamp: 29:04
Passing motion for program — Passed
- Summary: The board moved to vote on the incentive program, which passed unanimously.
- Evidence: “Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for this. That also passes unanimously.”
Approval of Highway Department Resolution 26-03 — Passed
- Summary: Move to approve resolution for full depth reclamation of Cedarville Road.
- Evidence: “So with that, I move to approve this resolution.”
- Evidence: “Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for this. That passes unanimously.”
- Source timestamp: 35:03
Approval of Resolution HD 2604 (New Truck Purchase)
- Summary: Move to approve resolution to purchase the new truck.
- Evidence: “So with that I move to approve this resolution.”
- Source timestamp: 35:03
Adjournment vote — Passed
- Summary: The board voted to adjourn.
- Evidence: “seeing none you may go ahead and vote for this item. That passes unanimously.”
- Source timestamp: 39:31
Adjournment vote — Passed
- Summary: The board voted on adjournment.
- Evidence: “All right, if you would please vote for adjournment. That passes unanimously.”
- Source timestamp: 40:47
Procedural Actions
Call to order and attendance check
- Summary: The meeting was called to order; Mrs. Deineger and Mr. Fricke were noted as absent.
- Evidence: “6:30 PM We will go ahead and call the meeting to order. If you would please go ahead and acknowledge your presence on the voting machine. Looks like everyone is present except Mrs. Deineger and Mr. Fricke.”
- Source timestamp: 05:49
Pledge of Allegiance
- Summary: Mr. Jogerst was asked to lead in prayer, and Mrs. Baker was asked to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Evidence: “Mr. Jogerst, would you please lead us in prayer and Mrs. Baker, the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation”
- Source timestamp: 06:14
Motion on approval status
- Summary: The chair asked if there was any other discussion before voting.
- Evidence: “Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Whalen. Any other discussion? Seeing none, you may vote.”
- Source timestamp: 23:44
Motion to adjourn
- Summary: A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Bush and seconded by Mrs. Baker.
- Evidence: “seeing none is there I would say that was a motion to adjourn by mr. Bush seconded by Mrs. Baker, is that correct?”
- Source timestamp: 40:16
Projects
Resolution for Highway Department 26-03 (Cedarville Road reclamation)
- Summary: The resolution is for a full depth reclamation of the Cedarville Road, 0.64 miles, which is fully funded by federal funding from 2024 local project funding grant.
- Evidence: “First one is our resolution for the Highway Department 26-03, which is a full depth reclamation of the Cedarville Road, 0.64 miles. It is being fully funded 100% by the federal, from federal funding back in 2024, local project funding grant.”
- Source timestamp: 34:38
Resolution to purchase new truck (HD 2604)
- Summary: This resolution concerns purchasing a cab and chassis through Sourcewell; the bid was awarded to Truck Country of Iowa for $134,906.
- Evidence: “The next item is HD 2604, which is a resolution to purchase a new truck. This is a cab and chassis through Sourcewell. . . The bid was awarded to Truck Country of Iowa for $134,906.”
- Source timestamp: 35:25
Presentations and Reports
Sheriff Stovall’s employee recognition
- Summary: Sheriff Stovall presented on the Sheriff’s Office Best of the Best of 2025 awards.
- Evidence: “okay seeing none we will move on to sheriff Sheriff Stovall’s employee recognition.”
- Source timestamp: 07:12
Zoning Board of Appeals hearing report
- Summary: The Zoning Board of Appeals held its hearing on Thursday, February 12th, 26 with a full quorum.
- Evidence: “Director Williams, if you’d please come forward. Good evening. The Zoning Board of Appeals held its hearing on Thursday, February 12th, 26 with a full quorum.”
- Evidence: “The Zoning Board of Appeals held its hearing on Thursday, February 12th, 26 with a full quorum.”
- Source timestamp: 14:56
Special Use Permit Request
- Summary: Mike and Nicole Kalos requested a special use permit to allow for the construction of a single family dwelling located in the Egg District at 9251 West Cedarville Road, Lena.
- Evidence: “The first time for the evening was for Mike and Nicole Kalos who are requesting a special use permit to allow for the construction of a single family dwelling located in the Egg District, located at 9251 West Cedarville Road, Lena.”
- Source timestamp: 15:22
NACO Legislative Conference Information
- Summary: The NACO legislative conference is being held February 21st through the 24th.
- Evidence: “I honor the Chairman’s report the NACO The legislative conference is being held February 21st through the 24th.”
- Source timestamp: 18:08
UCCI Legislative Conference Information
- Summary: The UCCI legislative conference is scheduled for April 14th and 15th.
- Evidence: “As I mentioned last month, the UCCI legislative conference is scheduled for April 14th and 15th.”
- Source timestamp: 19:01
2026 Leadership Academy Program Dates
- Summary: The 2026 Leadership Academy program is scheduled for May 31st, June 2nd, June 28th through the 30th.
- Evidence: “And then finally the 2026 Leadership Academy program is scheduled for May 31st, June 2nd, June 28th through the 30th.”
- Source timestamp: 19:22
Finance Committee Report (Mr. Whalen)
- Summary: Mr. Whalen reported no action items from the Finance committee.
- Evidence: “First up is Mr. Whalen for Finance. No action items.”
- Source timestamp: 24:33
Public Property and Safety Committee Report (Mr. Bush)
- Summary: Mr. Bush presented three combined action items regarding a missing contract inclusion in the sheriff’s union contract, seniority credit loss for injured officers without pay, and time/comp time for emergency response team training.
- Evidence: “Mr. Bush, it appears you have three action items… What it is, the contract was supposed to be included in the new union contract for the sheriff, which wasn’t, so it had to be implemented in. Also it was talked about that no employee will receive seniority credit if they are not getting paid for a certain amount of time.”
- Source timestamp: 25:08
Administration Committee Report (Mr. Jogerst)
- Summary: Mr. Jogerst presented three action items for the Administration committee.
- Evidence: “Move on to administration. Mr. Jogerst, you have three action items, I believe.”
- Source timestamp: 27:04
Tracking mechanism for participation
- Summary: The activity will use an app that participants download on their phone to automatically track and log into a website.
- Evidence: “Just to kind of add for those of you that were not in the committee when we discussed this, it is an app that everyone who takes part will download on their phone. They’ll automatically track it, log into a website, and keep track of everything.”
- Source timestamp: 32:36
Court Services Committee Report
- Summary: Diddens commended the individuals running the court system for doing a wonderful job with dedicated staff.
- Evidence: “Just want to commend the the individuals that are running our court system. They’re doing a wonderful job. We have a very dedicated staff and I’m very proud to be on this committee.”
- Source timestamp: 33:22
Nursing Committee Report
- Summary: The census is at 78, and the county hired a new Assistant Director of Nursing and a new business office manager.
- Evidence: “Yes, Census is at 78 and they hired a new ADON, Assistant Director of Nursing, and they hired a new business office manager and other than that that’s all I have.”
- Source timestamp: 33:42
Planning and Development Committee Report
- Summary: The committee reported no action items because they did not have a meeting due to lack of quorum.
- Evidence: “Mrs. Baker, no action items, any information? No, because we did not have a meeting. Because of lack of quorum.”
- Source timestamp: 33:42
Discussion
Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation
- Summary: The ZBA recommends approval of the special use permit subject to condition that the soil boring be completed.
- Evidence: “Testimony was received and neighboring property representative raised a concern. The ZBA recommends approval of this board subject to condition that the soil boring and be completed.”
- Source timestamp: 15:37
Special Use Permit for Single Family Dwelling at 9251 West Cedarville Road
- Summary: A neighboring property representative raised a concern regarding the septic drain field potentially draining towards a creek.
- Evidence: “Yes, she was just concerned at some property adjacent to the property in question. She has a creek that runs through it and livestock, they wanted to make sure that the drain field for the septic wasn’t going towards that creek.”
- Source timestamp: 15:50
Second Hearing for Dog Boarding, Daycare, and Grooming Facility at 9350 North Unity Road
- Summary: One adjacent landowner was concerned of the parking.
- Evidence: “Sure. One adjacent landowner was concerned of the parking.”
- Source timestamp: 17:13
Special Use Permit for Single Family Dwelling at 8706 East Rideout Road
- Summary: No objections were raised during the testimony for Kyler and Dana Mears’ request.
- Evidence: “Testimony was heard and no objections were raised.”
- Source timestamp: 18:03
Question regarding Diane Yokum’s prior service on boards
- Summary: A question was raised asking if she had served on this board or any other board before.
- Evidence: “quick question is is there has she served on this board or any other board before”
- Source timestamp: 20:09
Role and Concerns regarding the 708 Board
- Summary: A speaker addressed the role of the 708 board to evaluate the need of agencies in Stephenson County and how those dollars are distributed.
- Evidence: “Pretty sure most of you know this, but the role of the 708 board is to evaluate the need of agencies in Stephenson County and how those dollars that are levied for the 708 board are distributed.”
- Source timestamp: 22:15
Political commentary on social media language
- Summary: A speaker expressed doubt regarding the judgment of individuals who use terms like fascist or Nazis when discussing mental health or community betterment.
- Evidence: “People seem to be far more important than the overall need of the people. Terms like fascist, Nazis have all been used on social media to describe people of an opposing political party, regardless of the person. I very much have in doubt the judgment of any individual that would use terms like that when it comes to mental health or the betterment of the community.”
- Source timestamp: 23:12
Incentives for employee walking program
- Summary: Mr. Newton explained that incentives discussed included teams by department, top earner individually, top team, and a random draw reward.
- Evidence: “We’re going to do teams by department. There’s a way to average scores, so it’s fair across the board. We’ve also decided to do like a top earner individually, top team, and kind of one random draw so that it’ll motivate even the people that may not think they’re gonna be one of the top achievers.”
- Source timestamp: 30:38
Cost clarification for walking program
- Summary: Mrs. Williams inquired about the total cost and number of participants for the walking program.
- Evidence: “So how many people do you think that are going to do this? What are we talking? How much money are we talking?”
- Source timestamp: 31:19
Program funding details
- Summary: The county’s cost for the walking program is $700 for the county as a whole.
- Evidence: “So $700 per person. Rate per participant and eligibility. So it’s $700 for the county as a whole.”
- Source timestamp: 31:19
County Board participation in program
- Summary: A request was made for the County Board to have a team involved in the program.
- Evidence: “There was a request also made for the County Board to have a team, if they so choose, involved.”
- Source timestamp: 31:19
Nursing census metric
- Summary: The speaker questioned if the census increase from 70 last month to 78 was accurate.
- Evidence: “I think the census was 70 last month, does that sound about right? So now it’s up to 78.78.”
- Source timestamp: 33:42
Truck usage and bidding process
- Summary: Mr. Hadley questioned the intended use of the truck, which is for a snow plow truck.
- Evidence: “What’s this truck going to be used for? This is a truck that will be a snow plow truck.”
- Source timestamp: 36:22
Sourcewell purchasing method
- Summary: Mr. Rasmussen explained SourceWell is a joint purchase agreement similar to state bidding, and they received clearance from Mr. Larson.
- Evidence: “I see we’re getting out in this truck from Iowa. I think we’ll let Mr. Rasmussen talk about the benefits of Sourcewell. He’s more familiar with that than I am, so. . . Sourcewell is a method of purchasing. It’s similar to state bidding. It’s a joint purchase agreement that, but we got it cleared with Mr. Larson that we can go ahead and purchase stuff through that.”
Alternative truck sourcing timeframes
- Summary: The committee noted that looking at other sources resulted in estimates measured in multiple years, while the current option is needed now.
- Evidence: “So, we said the estimate for this truck probably end of the year. If we start looking at other sources, when we have looked at other sources, the committee has seen a lot of estimates that are measured in multiple years. And when a truck like this is needed, it’s needed now.”
- Source timestamp: 38:34
Truck replacement status
- Summary: The new truck will replace a 1999 model, and the current truck will be sold privately after being declared surplus property.
- Evidence: “I think we’ll let Mr. Rasmussen talk about the benefits of Sourcewell. He’s more familiar with that than I am, so. . . And if I may chairman thank you for your addition there Adam but this is to replace a a truck that’s 1999. So, we’re moving up in the year. I’m sorry. No, he’s keeping the truck for now and then we will be looking at selling it privately ourselves with once we declare its surplus property.”
- Source timestamp: 38:47
Truck replacement timeline
- Summary: The committee discussed the need for a new truck now versus looking at multi-year estimates and wait times.
- Evidence: “If we start looking at other sources, when we have looked at other sources, the committee has seen a lot of estimates that are measured in multiple years. And when a truck like this is needed, it’s needed now.”
- Source timestamp: 38:34
Truck status update
- Summary: A board member clarified that the discussion was about replacing a 1999 truck, and another individual stated they would keep the current truck for now and plan to sell it privately after declaring it surplus property.
- Evidence: “Adam but this is to replace a a truck that’s 1999. So, we’re moving up in the year. I’m sorry. No, he’s keeping the truck for now and then we will be looking at selling it privately ourselves with once we declare its surplus property.”
- Source timestamp: 38:47
Public Comment
Concerns regarding Diane Yokum’s judgment and suitability for the 708 Board
- Summary: A comment was made questioning the safety of a past action where Ms. Yocum took a picture of the speaker’s house and posted it on Facebook with the address.
- Evidence: “Ms. Yocum, a couple years ago during a political campaign, drove by my house and and she took a picture of it and put it up on Facebook with my address.”
- Source timestamp: 21:29
Spring readiness and road weight restrictions
- Summary: A comment was made thanking everyone for support, noting that spring signs were seen, Robin’s was in the yard, and road postings went up on 210 miles of highway to place weight restrictions on all roads to preserve pavement.
- Evidence: “I want to thank everyone for their support for these resolutions and I will be brief because I know Mrs. Baker is chomping at the bit here. But the surefire signs for spring, I saw it this week. Robin’s in the yard and the road postings went up on 210 miles of highway in the county. So if everyone doesn’t know what that means we’ve put weight restrictions on all of our roads and that’s to preserve the pavement so so yes springs on its way that’s it”
- Source timestamp: 39:40
Proclamations and Recognitions
Civilian Employee of the Year Award
- Summary: Erica Erickson received the Civilian Employee of the Year award for overall willingness to go an extra mile while exhibiting an exceptional work ethic, positive attitude, and respect for all members of the community and the office.
- Evidence: “I proudly present the civilian employee of the year to social service administrator Erica Erickson for overall willingness to go an extra mile while exhibiting an exceptional work ethic, positive attitude, and respect for all members of the community and the office.”
- Source timestamp: 09:47
Corrections Officer of the Year Award
- Summary: Jacob Hein received the Corrections officer of the year award for overall willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty.
- Evidence: “I proudly present corrections officer Jacob Hein for overall willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty”
- Source timestamp: 09:47
Exceptional Service Award
- Summary: Deputy Matt Carpenter received the Exceptional Service Award for courageous and selfless actions at Willow Lake on December 24th, 2025.
- Evidence: “I’m proud to present Deputy Matt Carpenter’s exceptional service medal for his courageous and selfless actions at Willow Lake on December 24th, 2025.”
- Source timestamp: 10:53
Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Award (ACE)
- Summary: Deputy Jordan Brickson received the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Award for exceptional dedication and outstanding achievement in the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Program.
- Evidence: “Once again, the second in a row, Deputy Jordan Brickson. For exceptional dedication and outstanding achievement in the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Program.”
- Source timestamp: 11:46
Deputy of the Year Award
- Summary: Corinne Brickson received the Special Victims Unit Investigator award for an overall willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty, while exhibiting exceptional work ethic, positive attitude, and respect for all members of the community and the office.
- Evidence: “I’m proud to present our Special Victims Unit Investigator, Corinne Brickson, for an overall willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty, while exhibiting exceptional work ethic, positive attitude, and respect for all members of the community and the office.”
- Source timestamp: 12:41
Manager of the Year Award
- Summary: Lieutenant Michael Bacchus received the Manager of the year award for consistently going above and beyond the college while exhibiting strong leadership qualities and exceptional work ethic, positive attitude and respect for all members of the community and this office.
- Evidence: “I’m proud to present Lieutenant Michael Bacchus this board for consistently going above and beyond the college while exhibiting, exhibiting strong leadership qualities and exceptional work ethic, positive attitude and respect for all members of the community and this office”
- Source timestamp: 13:18