The July 28, 2026 meeting of the Marion County Board of Supervisors focuses on several significant land use, property, transportation, and governance decisions that could affect residents, property owners, businesses, and county operations. According to the meeting agenda, the board will consider the sale of county-owned property in Pella, review a proposed agricultural-to-residential rezoning request, approve transportation funding agreements, and address employee reimbursement policies.
The most consequential item is a sequence of actions involving county-owned property located at 108 Clark Street in Pella. The board is scheduled to conduct a public hearing, open bids submitted for the property, and potentially approve a final resolution authorizing its disposal. These actions represent the completion of a formal public property sale process and may influence future redevelopment or private ownership of the site.
Another major topic is a proposed zoning change that would convert agricultural land to agricultural-residential zoning to allow potential future development. While the packet does not describe a specific development proposal, the rezoning represents an important land use decision that could influence future growth patterns in the affected area. The proposal includes both a public hearing and consideration of the first reading of Ordinance 2026-2.
The agenda also includes transportation infrastructure funding through the Competitive Highway Bridge Program, an update to the county employee mileage reimbursement rate effective July 1, 2026, renewal of a retail alcohol license for Red Rock Marina, an appointment to the Pella Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment, and routine county business through the consent agenda. Residents may participate in person or electronically through the county's Zoom meeting platform.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Disposal of County Property at 108 Clark Street, Pella
The board is scheduled to complete several consecutive steps related to the proposed sale of county-owned property located at 108 Clark Street in Pella. The agenda includes:
- A public hearing regarding the notice of intent to sell the property.
- Opening bids received for the property.
- Consideration of Resolution 2026-90 making the final determination regarding disposal of the property.
Holding these actions during the same meeting indicates the county has completed the required notice process and is moving toward selecting a purchaser and authorizing the property's transfer. Community members interested in redevelopment, neighboring properties, or county asset management may wish to follow this discussion closely.
Proposed Agricultural-to-Residential Rezoning
A second public hearing concerns proposed Ordinance 2026-2, which would amend the county zoning map for a parcel legally described within Section 22, Township 76 North, Range 18 West.
According to the agenda, the current zoning designation is A-1 Agricultural, while the requested designation is A-R Agricultural Residential. The packet states the future owners are seeking the rezoning for potential future development.
Immediately following the hearing, supervisors are scheduled to consider approval of the ordinance's first reading. Because this is identified as the first reading, additional procedural steps may still be required before the ordinance becomes effective. The proposal may be of interest to nearby landowners, developers, agricultural interests, and residents concerned about future growth.
Bridge Replacement Federal Funding Agreement
The agenda includes consideration of Resolution 2026-89, approving a Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP) Federal Aid Agreement for the S45 Bridge Replacement.
Although the packet does not include engineering reports, project cost estimates, or construction schedules, approval of a federal aid agreement generally represents an important milestone allowing a transportation project to move forward with outside funding assistance. The bridge replacement could ultimately affect roadway safety, travel reliability, and long-term infrastructure planning.
Employee Mileage Reimbursement Update
Supervisors will consider Resolution 2026-88, establishing the Marion County employee mileage reimbursement rate effective July 1, 2026.
Mileage reimbursement policies affect county employees who use personal vehicles for official business. Updating reimbursement rates helps align county travel reimbursements with current operating costs or applicable reimbursement standards. The agenda does not identify the new reimbursement amount.
Alcohol License Renewal
The board will review renewal of a Class B Retail Alcohol License for:
- Red Rock SMI OPCO LLC
- Doing business as Red Rock Marina
- Located at 1768 Highway G28, Pella
License renewals help ensure continued compliance with applicable licensing requirements while allowing businesses to continue normal operations.
Pella Airport Zoning Board Appointment
Supervisors are scheduled to consider appointing Merlin Rolffs to serve as the Marion County representative on the Pella Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment for a five-year term.
Appointments such as this help maintain county representation in decisions involving airport zoning and land use matters surrounding airport operations.
Routine County Business
The consent agenda includes approval of county claims, previous meeting minutes, employee salary adjustments, and Conservation Board warrants.
These items are typically considered together unless a supervisor requests separate discussion. They support ongoing county financial administration and daily operations.
Financial Matters
The packet contains only limited financial detail, but several agenda items involve fiscal decisions:
- Approval of Marion County claims through July 28, 2026.
- Approval of Marion County Conservation Board warrants numbered 264417 through 264469 covering expenditures through July 21, 2026.
- Employee salary adjustments included within the consent agenda, with the complete listing available through the Human Resources Office.
- Consideration of a federal aid agreement supporting the S45 Bridge Replacement through the Competitive Highway Bridge Program.
- Sale of county-owned property at 108 Clark Street, Pella, which could generate proceeds depending upon the accepted bid.
The packet does not provide dollar amounts, bid values, contract totals, reimbursement rates, or funding allocations for these items.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The meeting includes several governance actions:
- Ordinance 2026-2 would amend county zoning by changing the identified parcel from Agricultural (A-1) to Agricultural Residential (A-R).
- Resolution 2026-90 would make the county's final determination regarding disposal of county-owned real property.
- Resolution 2026-89 concerns acceptance of a federal aid agreement for bridge replacement.
- Resolution 2026-88 establishes an updated employee mileage reimbursement rate effective July 1, 2026.
- Appointment of a county representative to the Pella Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Together, these actions affect county land use, infrastructure planning, employee administration, and board representation.
The packet contains relatively few formal reports.
The agenda provides for:
- Communications.
- Board of Supervisor updates near the end of the meeting.
- Review of prior meeting minutes through the consent agenda.
No consultant reports, audits, departmental presentations, strategic plans, or detailed informational memoranda appear within the accessible extracted packet.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
Personnel-related business includes:
- Employee salary adjustments listed within the consent agenda.
- Adoption of a revised mileage reimbursement rate affecting employees using personal vehicles for county work.
- Appointment of Merlin Rolffs to a five-year term on the Pella Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The packet does not describe new hires, resignations, retirements, or employment contracts.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
The most significant operational and infrastructure topics include:
- Advancement of the S45 Bridge Replacement through a federal funding agreement.
- Disposal of county-owned property in Pella.
- Future residential development potential associated with the proposed rezoning.
- Continued routine financial operations through claims, warrants, and salary administration.
These matters collectively involve county infrastructure, property management, transportation planning, and administrative operations.
Residents have several opportunities to participate:
- Public Hearing: Notice of Intent to Sell County Property at 108 Clark Street, Pella.
- Public Hearing: Proposed Ordinance 2026-2 regarding rezoning from Agricultural to Agricultural Residential.
- General Public Comments: Individuals may address topics not otherwise listed on the agenda during the public comment portion.
- Electronic participation is available through the county's published Zoom meeting information. Participants are instructed to use the chat feature to request an opportunity to speak.
Residents may be affected by future redevelopment of county-owned property if the sale is approved.
Nearby property owners could be affected by the proposed rezoning if future residential development proceeds following any zoning changes.
Motorists and local businesses may benefit over time from bridge replacement improvements supported through federal transportation funding.
County employees are directly affected by updated mileage reimbursement policies and approved salary adjustments.
Businesses operating under county-issued licenses, including Red Rock Marina, benefit from timely consideration of required license renewals.
- What criteria will be used to determine the successful bid for the county property?
- What future uses are anticipated for 108 Clark Street after the sale?
- Why was the identified property selected for disposal?
- How could the proposed rezoning affect neighboring agricultural properties?
- What additional approvals would be required before future development could occur?
- What is the anticipated timeline for the S45 Bridge Replacement project?
- How much federal funding is associated with the bridge agreement?
- What mileage reimbursement rate is being adopted?
- How were employee salary adjustments determined?
- What responsibilities will the county representative have on the Pella Airport Zoning Board?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- July 28, 2026 (9:00 AM): Board of Supervisors regular meeting.
- July 28, 2026: Public hearing regarding disposal of county-owned property.
- July 28, 2026: Opening of bids for the county property.
- July 28, 2026: Consideration of Resolution 2026-90 regarding final property disposal.
- July 28, 2026: Public hearing on proposed Ordinance 2026-2.
- July 28, 2026: First reading of the proposed zoning ordinance.
- Effective July 1, 2026: Employee mileage reimbursement rate addressed through Resolution 2026-88.
- Following board action, bridge funding, property sale, zoning proceedings, and board appointments are expected to continue through their respective implementation processes as required.
Key Takeaways
- The meeting includes two formal public hearings.
- Supervisors may finalize the sale of county-owned property in Pella.
- Bids for the county property are scheduled to be opened publicly.
- A proposed rezoning would convert agricultural land to agricultural residential zoning.
- The rezoning request is intended to support potential future development.
- Supervisors will consider a federal funding agreement for the S45 Bridge Replacement.
- The county is updating employee mileage reimbursement effective July 1, 2026.
- Red Rock Marina's retail alcohol license renewal is on the agenda.
- A five-year appointment to the Pella Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment is scheduled.
- Routine county financial and administrative business will be handled through the consent agenda.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Marion County Board of Supervisors
- Organization type: county
- Government body: county-boards
- Location: Knoxville, iowa
- County: Marion County
- Provider: neapolitan-board
Keywords
Marion County Board of Supervisors, Marion County, Knoxville, Iowa, Board of Supervisors Meeting, July 28 2026, 108 Clark Street, Pella, county property sale, public hearing, property disposal, Resolution 2026-90, Ordinance 2026-2, rezoning, agricultural residential, future development, S45 Bridge Replacement, Competitive Highway Bridge Program, federal aid agreement, Resolution 2026-89, mileage reimbursement, Resolution 2026-88, Red Rock Marina, alcohol license renewal, Pella Airport Zoning Board, Merlin Rolffs, county claims, Conservation Board warrants
