The Marion County Board of Supervisors resolved a discussion regarding a sheriff deputy position at their meeting on Tuesday.

At a previous meeting discussion had been held about an open position in the sheriff’s department being backfilled by the current mental health deputy Derek Lanser which would ultimately eliminate a position in the sheriff’s department. Supervisor Chair Kisha Jahner wanted to pursue that route as the position had been funded by Heart of Iowa in the past which no longer exists so it was unclear if funding would be available. Sheriff Jason Sandholdt pushed back on this stating how important the mental health deputy is to Marion County and with a position eliminated in the department it would put a strain on his other staff. Sandholdt ended up securing funding for the position through the state Department of Health and Human Services and it will start on a two year contract. 

Also at the meeting, the board presented employee years of service awards, approved a fair association VA grounds parking agreement, held two public hearings and approved a zoning map amendment ordinance and amending a county ordinance regarding zoning. The board then approved an (ICAP) insurance renewal after a discussion with Scott Ziller of the McKay Group, two road department project contracts, and a joint agreement and letter of support for the Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP) grant project. 

Tuesday’s meeting was the first meeting held at the Marion County North Annex which is also known as the public health building.