Interim conservation board director named

By DUANE NOLLEN
The Oskaloosa Herald

OSKALOOSA November 17, 2009 11:10 am

— The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Ben Hoskinson as the interim Conservation Board Director in the wake of the resignation of Mike Gipple.
Mahaska County Conservation Board vice chairman Leroy Nugteren submitted Hoskinson to the supervisors as the interim director. Hoskinson is currently the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management director in Mahaska County.
Nugteren said Gipple had resigned as of two weeks ago Monday.
When asked after the meeting why Gipple had resigned, Nugteren said: “It’s a personnel matter that we’re not allowed to discuss.”
Nugteren said Hoskinson will work in both departments as needed.
Supervisor Lawrence Rouw asked that the conservation board keep track of Hoskinson’s hours with the board.
Nugteren said they will document his hours for both departments.
The conservation board vice chairman anticipates a two to three month time span to find a new permanent conservation board chairman.
The board will advertise for a new director and also review the qualifications for the position. Nugteren said it has been several years since the conservation board had studied job description for director.
Gipple has been conservation board director for almost nine years. He had started in January of 2001, Nugteren said.
In other action, the supervisors approved a proposal from the County Attorney’s Office to purchase new computer equipment so the office can do all filings electronically.
County Attorney Rose Anne Mefford discussed the computer issue with the supervisors at their meeting earlier in the month. She said that one-third of the counties in Iowa have converted to the new system and that there is a grant fund available for the state to cover 80 percent of the cost of the new system.
She discussed three proposals — one of which was a proposal for $18,678; after the 80 percent reimbursement, the county’s cost would be $3,735.
Assistant County Attorney Misty Reiner said the county pay the $18,678 and then apply for the reimbursement — the reimbursement couldn’t be guaranteed until the purchase was made. She also said there are funds in the county attorney’s budget to cover the expense.
The supervisors also accepted the resignation of County Sanitarian Don Russell. The resignation was effective Nov. 14.
Herald Editor Duane Nollen can be reached by email at oskynews@oskyherald.com