Supervisors approve employee leave policy, discuss Grundy Road negotiations

GRUNDY CENTER- The Grundy County board of supervisors approved a formal leave policy for employees who are rotating shifts and working from home during the COVID-19 outbreak during Monday morning’s regular meeting.

The policy, which received unanimous approval, stipulates that employees should work from home during normal business hours to the extent possible, be on call and be able to return to the office within an hour if needed and stay in their homes while working unless needed to perform a job function or in the case of an emergency. Employees who work from home will not be required to use paid leave and will be paid as normally but can be disciplined or terminated for violating the established rules.

The policies do not apply to emergency services personnel and law enforcement, and department heads are allowed to determine whether or not an employee can work from home.

County Engineer Gary Mauer reported that as he negotiates easement and right-of-way agreements with property owners along Grundy Road for the paving project, he is struggling with a landowner who wants $20,000 and two new driveways built. The county offered the property owner a total package of $8,100 including two driveways, and the county’s negotiator from Clapsaddle-Garber Associates was scheduled to meet with the landowner on Tuesday.

So far, the county has purchase agreements with six of the 30 landowners in the affected area on the Grundy County side. The right-of-way rate is set at $10,000 per acre.

Lisa Ahem of the Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments (INRCOG) spoke to the board by phone about the Homebuyer Assistance Program and the general need for more housing in Grundy County. By the current projections, the county will be 209 housing units short by 2030.

“It’s always good to increase our housing supply with some new units,” Ahem said.

The board voted unanimously to move forward with the assistance program, and they will still need to adopt a resolution at a later date.

Near the end of the meeting, the board discussed the possibility of installing a drop box for paperwork and files related to the county. County Auditor Rhonda Deters expressed concern that with elections on the horizon, it could create security issues with regard to mail-in voting.

“I’m not trying to be an alarmist, but I am trying to protect the items that are going to come into our office,” she said.

No official action was taken.

            IN OTHER BUSINESS, the board:

·      Approved the 2020 driveway policy with the same rates.

·      Set the public hearing on an FY2020 budget amendment for May 4.

·      Approved the 2020 Wellmark rate exhibit.

·      Approved the adoption of the Naturally Slim program for county employees.

·      Approved the county treasurer’s March 31, 2020, investment report.