Submitted by Nicole Lee, County Clerk

The Board of Brown County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, Nov. 17, with the following members present: Chairman Lucas Heinen, William Pollock and Richard Tesoriero. Also present was Brown County Clerk Nicole Lee. County Counselor Austin Parker was present for a portion of the meeting via Zoom. Heinen opened the meeting at 1 p.m. All recited the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer led by Commissioner Heinen.

The commissioners agreed to recess into executive session for 10 minutes with the three commissioners, Services for the Elderly Director Tami Lehmkuhl, Interviewee, and Clerk Lee present for the purpose of conducting an interview of a potential non-elected employee, with executive session necessary to protect the interests of the parties involved. There was no binding action taken following the executive session.

County Counselor Austin Parker requested a 10-minute executive session. The board agreed to recess into executive session for 10 minutes with the three commissioners and Parker present to discuss legal matters with counsel, necessary to protect attorney-client privilege. There was no binding action taken following the executive session.

The commissioners discussed the following items: possible installation of a camera at the landfill, creating an additional property use agreement, and a checklist for completion of the Noxious Weed/Solid Waste Building Project.

Brown County Resident Shane Meenen visited with the commission about vacating a portion of 240th Street, 700 feet west of Hazelnut Road. The section is not used or maintained by anyone.

County Counselor Parker provided updates regarding the Evergy right-of-way in Fairview, the completed Quit Claim Deed, fully executed HAMM agreement received, and Hiawatha Amberwell discussions. Parker also relayed information from Jeff Hamm regarding alternative road maintenance and repair methods.

The board approved the Nov. 10 meeting minutes.

The Nov. 12 payroll was approved as follows: General, $94,801.09; Road and Bridge, $11,955.01; Election, $4,864.31; Technology, $319.50; Appraiser, $8,776.26; Noxious Weed, $1,960; ACC, $11,152.50; JJA Core, $6,306.86; Services for Elderly, $3,745.99; Solid Waste, $5,369.92; Special MVT, $3,508.01; Employee Benefit FICA, $9,960.11; and Employee Benefit KPERS, $13,862.15. After State Unemployment and Worker’s Compensation of $191.57 and Insurance of $2,906.18 were taken out, the total was $173,483.96.

The board approved Property Use Agreements from Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau for the use of the Courthouse steps or Courthouse lobby depending on weather conditions on Nov. 29 for the Christmas Lights with Santa and the annual Tuba Christmas on Dec. 13.

The commissioners agreed to sign the Blue Cross Blue Shield Payroll Census Form and ASO Checklist for the 2026 self-funded health insurance renewal.

The board agreed to hold a Work Session in the Commissioner’s Room on Friday, Nov. 21, from 1 to 2 p.m.

The commission discussed holding one regular meeting per quarter in the evening beginning in 2026. Dates, times and locations will be approved at a later meeting.

The commission will provide a short list of important actions and discussion items to the County Clerk at the end of each regular meeting. This summary will be posted on the Brown County Government Facebook page and the Brown County website as an informational release to the public prior to the approval of official minutes.

The next regular meeting was held Wednesday, Nov. 26. These minutes were not available at The Herald’s press time.

Work Session

The Brown County Commissioners convened for a work session at 1 p.m. on Nov. 21, at the Brown County Courthouse with the following members present: Chairman Lucas Heinen, Commissioner Richard Tesoriero and Commissioner William Pollock. Also present was County Clerk Nicole Lee. Patrick Hughes joined via Zoom for a portion of the session. Bill Vonderschmidt, Annette Hoskins, Clif Heiniger, Lisa Compton, Mark Compton and Tami Lehmkuhl were present for portions of the work session.

Topics discussed included the Solar Energy Regulation Resolution, possible alternative bridge location, hot meals program, snow removal contract, armadillo traffic counter placement, temporary position, Bridge OS-2, cleanup of the Road and Bridge yard in Fairview, and sign destruction. No action was taken. The work session adjourned at 3:33 p.m.