Scott County Board of Supervisors Packet Summary — 2026-08-27
Meeting: Board Meeting
Scheduled time: 5:00 p.m.
The Scott County Board of Supervisors agenda centers on county claims and purchasing-card payments, a proposed response to Bettendorf's Downtown North Urban Renewal Area, and renewal of a retail alcohol license. The agenda also provides for public comment, reports from the County Administrator and supervisors, and notice of an upcoming special closed-session meeting.
Key Items on the Agenda
County Payments and Claims
The consent agenda includes a resolution proposing approval of three categories of county payments:
- Warrants: $1,969,204.94, covering warrants numbered 349519 through 349777.
- EFT payments: $1,718.27.
- Purchasing-card transactions: $142,862.15, submitted to the County Auditor for review and payment to Wells Fargo Bank.
The packet's purchasing-card report lists transactions across county functions including technology, utilities, maintenance, travel, library programming, vehicle supplies, training, commissary expenses, and other operational costs. The purchasing-card report totals $142,862.15.
Bettendorf Downtown North Urban Renewal Area
The Board is scheduled to consider approving a TIF letter concerning the City of Bettendorf's proposed Downtown North Urban Renewal Area.
The proposed letter says the approximately 329-acre area would be located adjacent to and north of Bettendorf's existing Downtown Urban Renewal Area. According to the packet, the plan initially includes redevelopment of the Hillside Mobile Home Park into a 168-unit multifamily residential development, along with a possible city-led street reconstruction project adjacent to the development.
The letter states the County understands that Bettendorf does not anticipate using tax increment financing for the street reconstruction. It also says the associated development agreement would have a 10-year duration, although it is expected to be satisfied and retired early.
The proposed County response reflects several positions from Scott County's adopted TIF principles:
- The County supports TIF when used to reverse blight and declining property values and offset extraordinary redevelopment costs in urban renewal areas.
- The County opposes using TIF to fund public and private infrastructure for residential development.
- Projects financed with incremental taxes should use the minimum amount necessary to make a project feasible and should have the shortest possible duration.
- The proposed letter supports increasing the availability of market-rate housing while suggesting that tax increment provided to the developer be limited to what is necessary to address blight and not fund construction of private infrastructure.
The letter also recognizes Bettendorf's plan to stop collecting the increment once project debt is paid and emphasizes continued cooperation between Scott County and the City of Bettendorf on economic development projects.
Slaby's Bar and Grill Alcohol License
The agenda includes a motion to approve renewal of one Class "C" retail alcohol license for Slaby's Bar and Grill, located at 6020 New Liberty Road, Walcott.
Meeting Administration and Public Participation
The Board is scheduled to consider approval of minutes from:
- The August 11, 2026, 8:30 a.m. Committee of the Whole meeting.
- The August 13, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Board Meeting.
The agenda also includes a public-comment period. Members of the public may participate in person or remotely through Webex or by telephone, with instructions in the packet for raising a hand and being recognized before speaking.
Upcoming Special Meeting
The packet gives notice of a Special Board Meeting — Closed Session scheduled for Monday, August 31, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Board Room on the first floor of the Administrative Center.
The stated purpose is discussion of strategy with counsel regarding matters presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent and disclosure would likely prejudice or disadvantage the governmental body's position. The agenda cites Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c).
Reports and Other Agenda Business
The latter portion of the meeting agenda includes:
- A County Administrator Report from Mahesh Sharma.
- Reports from members of the Board of Supervisors.
- A motion to adjourn.
What to Watch at the Meeting
The most consequential policy item is the proposed letter regarding Bettendorf's Downtown North Urban Renewal Area. The packet presents a position that supports addressing blight and adding market-rate housing while placing limits on how residential redevelopment should be supported through tax increment financing.
The financial consent item is also substantial, with the Board scheduled to consider nearly $2 million in warrants in addition to EFT and purchasing-card payments. The packet separately provides detailed vendor-level reporting supporting the county's payment activity.
Civic Translator summarized publicly available meeting materials from the Scott County Board of Supervisors.
