Conservation Board Minutes – January 2026

The Allamakee County Conservation Board met in regular session January 6, 2026 beginning at 1 p.m. at the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center in Lansing, Iowa.  Board members who were present were: Marilyn Clark, Jeanie Carroll, Dave Blocker and Jesse Delaney.  Attending from the Allamakee County Conservation Board staff was Ross Geerdes, Brody Vanderkolk, Erin Cubbon and Melissa Hermsen.  Attending from the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors was Tom Clark.  The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.  A motion was made by M. Clark and a second by Weymiller to approve the minutes of the November 2025 meeting.  All in favor.  

There was no public comment.

The board reviewed and approved the claims with a motion by M. Clark and second by J. Carroll.  All in favor.  

Director Geerdes welcomed newly appointed Allamakee County Conservation Board member Dave Blocker.  Geerdes gave a brief history of the ACCB in addition to a description of the roles and responsibilities of the board.  

Newly hired Office Manager/Assistant Naturalist Melissa Hermsen was introduced to the board.  Hermsen thanked the Board for the opportunity to work with them.  

Director Geerdes presented the proposed budget for FY27.  Geerdes along with T. Clark gave an overview of the budget process as the ACCB approves the budget to be presented to the Board of Supervisors.  The Board of Supervisors approves the final overall budget.  During the presentation Geerdes explained line items and what each line item is used for.  Items discussed during the presentation included the addition of a permanent part time position, the purchase of a new zero turn lawn mower and the purchase of a new 2500 pickup truck.  The permanent part time position was proposed at $16 per hour for 24 hours per week and will include IPERS and FICA contributions.  Quotes for a zero turn mower with a 72” deck were received from Bodensteiner John Deere and Premiere Kubota.  Director Geerdes recommended to go with the quote from Premiere Kubota for $17,988.  This quote did not include a trade in for the existing mower and the ACCB would offer that mower to the public through sealed bid.  Quotes for a 2500 pickup truck were received from Torkelson Motors for 44,430 and Pladsen Chevrolet for $49, 417.  Both quotes included the mounting of a snowplow bracket and the needed wiring to operate the plow.  The quotes received included the trading of the 2009 F250 that is currently used as the plow truck.  During the discussion on vehicles the 2013 Dodge Van that is currently used by the education staff was offered to the Courthouse services to replace the 2007 Dodge Van they currently use.  This would lower the overall number of vehicles that the ACCB maintains to 4 from the current inventory of 5.  Geerdes noted that he is scheduled to meet with the members of the Board of Supervisors on January 14 to go over the budget.  A final decision for the Board of Supervisors would be made in March.  A motion was made to approve the agenda to be presented to the Board of Supervisors with the addition of a permanent part time position, the purchase of a zero turn mower with a 72” deck and the purchase of a new 2500 pickup with a snow plow bracket by Carroll.  The motion was seconded by M. Clark.  All were in favor.     

No informational or new items were presented.

The time and date for the next meeting was set for February 3, 2026 at 1 p.m.   

With no additional business the meeting was concluded at 2:26 p.m. with a motion by Carroll and seconded by M. Clark to adjourn.  All in favor.  

Posted: February 3, 2026 in 2026 Conservation Board Minutes & Agendas

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