Jackson County Board of Supervisors Packet Summary — 2026-08-25
Meeting: Board of Supervisors Meeting
Scheduled start: 9:00 a.m.
The packet contains both the final agenda and minutes for the August 25 meeting. The agenda scheduled a public hearing on private sewage disposal rules, an opioid-settlement funding request, county claims, road and right-of-way matters, and a possible closed session. The included minutes document the actions ultimately taken on those items.
Key Actions Documented in the Minutes
Private Sewage Disposal Ordinance #323
The Board held a public hearing on proposed Ordinance #323, Jackson County Private Sewage Disposal Ordinance. Environmental Health Director Elizabeth Townsend discussed the need to repeal existing Ordinances #88 and #250 and replace them with Ordinance #323.
The minutes state that no comments for or against the ordinance were received by the Board during the hearing, while Kevin Hammond and Judy Hovey indicated support for its passage.
The Board then:
- Voted unanimously to close the public hearing.
- Voted unanimously to repeal Ordinances #88 and #250 and approve the first reading of Ordinance #323.
- Voted unanimously to suspend Robert Rules of Order and proceed with the second and third readings.
- Unanimously approved the second reading.
- Unanimously approved the third and final reading.
The ordinance is recorded in Ordinance Book 1, pages 717–724.
$6,367.47 Opioid Settlement Fund Request
Maquoketa Police Chief Brendan Zeimet requested $6,367.47 from Opioid Settlement Funds to purchase a Sotoxa Oral Fluid Mobile Test System and accessories.
The Board unanimously approved the request as presented.
$521,612.95 in County Claims
Auditor Alisa Smith presented county business. The Board unanimously approved the August 18, 2026 meeting minutes and authorized their publication in the official newspapers.
The Board also unanimously authorized the Auditor's Office to issue warrants and publish the claims listing totaling $521,612.95.
Roads, Permits, and Right-of-Way Items
Engineer Jayden Scheckel presented several matters involving county roads and access.
The Board unanimously approved:
- A public right-of-way agreement between Jackson County and Tom & Beth McNeil, 2705 446th Ave., Preston.
- A residential entrance permit for Sydney Cornilsen in Section 28 of Van Buren Township on 446th Ave.
- A utility right-of-way permit for Black Hills Energy in Section 28 of Van Buren Township to bore a natural gas line under the road for 2705 446th Ave.
Temporary 55 MPH Speed Limit
The Board unanimously approved Resolution #1207-08-25-2026, establishing a temporary 55 mph speed limit, and lower where designated, on county paved secondary roads until investigations can be completed and reviewed.
The resolution is recorded in Resolution Book 5, pages 403–404.
Drug Free Program Update
Interim Drug Free Program Coordinator Julia Furne provided an update to the Board. According to the minutes, Furne and five Jackson County students presented a slideshow highlighting events from their trip to Orlando, Florida.
No Board action on this presentation is documented in the packet.
Closed Session on Potential Real Estate Purchase
After a recess, the Board reconvened at 10:25 a.m. Engineer Jayden Scheckel requested a closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(j) concerning a potential real estate purchase.
The Board unanimously voted to enter closed session with County Attorney John Kies, Conservation Director Nate Jones, Office Manager Sheila Root, Engineer Jayden Scheckel, and Road Superintendent Rick Kilburg.
At 10:55 a.m., the Board unanimously voted to return to open session and "proceed as discussed in the closed session" regarding the potential real estate purchase. The packet does not provide additional public details about the contemplated purchase or the specific course of action.
Other Agenda and Future Items
The agenda also identified broader categories for Board and Commission reports, unfinished business involving tabled and pending items, and new business for possible placement on future agendas.
Two additional matters were listed:
- County budget — Senior Center Board lease.
- Prairie Creek project — Jackson County Historical Society lease.
The packet does not document substantive action on either of these items during the August 25 meeting.
Meeting Conclusion
The Board unanimously adjourned at 11:01 a.m. The minutes identify the next Board meeting as September 1, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in the boardroom at the courthouse in Maquoketa.
Civic Translator summarized publicly available meeting materials from the Jackson County Board of Supervisors.
