Louisa County supervisors set public hearing date to remove conservation board member
WAPELLO — An Aug. 25 public hearing on Sam Willson’s removal from the Louisa County Conservation Board was set Tuesday by the Louisa County Board of Supervisors.
The supervisors initially reviewed Willson’s public hearing request letter, which was dated Aug. 1, and learned from county auditor Sandi Sturgell the public hearing had to be held within 30 days.
“The first available date you can get,” supervisor Brad Quigley, who also serves on the conservation board, said of setting the hearing date.
Supervisor Randy Griffin agreed and said the date for the public hearing needed to be coordinated with county attorney Adam Parsons and Louisa County Human Resources Consultant Paul Greufe.
Previously: Louisa County Conservation Board member awaits official removal order after alleged 'false allegations'
Previously: Louisa County Board of Supervisors votes to remove conservation board chair Sam Willson
Parsons has been guiding the supervisors through the process of removing Willson, while Greufe was involved in an investigation the supervisors referenced in moving forward with the removal process.
After reviewing the calendar, publication requirements and other factors, the board ultimately picked Aug. 25 for the hearing.
The board voted to remove Willson on June 21, accusing him of malfeasance for a social media comment he had posted earlier on the WQAD-TV Facebook page in response to postings made by others.
Those initial comments focused on the conservation board’s earlier discussions on selling Baird Timber, an 18.5-acre forested site east of Morning Sun. A unanimous conservation board later voted not to sell the property.
As part of those posted discussions, a person had asked, “isn’t the conservation board supposed to preserve?”, which prompted another individual to reply: “yes, but when the county supervisors can (appoint) members to the (LCCB), believing in conservation doesn’t seem to be a requirement to sit on the conservation board.”
Willson had then responded with: “They are supposed to, but when the board is corrupted, it runs astray.”
In their removal letter, the supervisors wrote that comment alluded to corruption on the conservation board and amounted to malfeasance.
If the supervisors confirm their decision following the public hearing, Willson can appeal the case to district court.
Federal legislation expands burn pit-related conditions expanded
The supervisors also met with several county department heads for their regular departmental updates.
County veterans affairs service officer Adam Caudle reported recent federal legislation had expanded the list of presumptive conditions related to the burn pits many veterans were exposed to during Middle East campaigns.
The PACT Act of 2022 also added more presumptive locations and conditions for Agent Orange and radiation exposure.
More: Pelosi readies burn pit bill for Biden signature
Public health position filled
Public Health administrator Roxanne Smith also provided her monthly update. She reported a home health aid position had been filled and also reminded the board about the merger of the Iowa Department of Public Health with the Iowa Department of Human Services.
She also reported on the shift of state grant funding that will impact the funding formula for home health and skilled nursing activities.
More: Monkeypox remains a focal point for Louisa County Public Health: 'We're staying on top of it'
Secondary roads
County engineer Adam Shutt also met with the supervisors for his weekly report on secondary roads department activities.
During its discussions with Shutt, the board:
Approved a contract with Heuer Construction, Muscatine, for paving work at the Wapello maintenance shop;
Signed a final voucher for a 2021 bridge replacement on County Road W66 south of Cotter;
Approved plans and specifications for a bridge replacement on County Road W66 north of Cotter.
Shutt also reported bridge repair work on County Road(s) G52, G28 and G44X were progressing.
This article originally appeared on The Hawk Eye: Louisa County Conservation holding public hearing over employee firing
