Tama County Administration Building, 104 W State St., Toledo, Iowa. SUN COURIER FILE PHOTO

TOLEDO – The July 3 Tama County Supervisors meeting started off with homeowner Ashley Steven speaking during the first public comment section. Steven is one of the homeowners that was set to receive reimbursement from the county after it came to light that former sanitarian Todd Apfel wrongfully approved their septic systems before the payments were deemed ‘unlawful’ by attorney Carlton Salmons.

“I’m here so you guys can put a face to the person that you are screwing,” Steven told the supervisors.

Steven, a single mom of three who has lived in Tama County her entire life and teaches math at South Tama, went on to say, “I don’t have $15,000 to just be dumped on.”

The declined payments were the subject of many public comments that morning as well as the behavior of Salmons during the joint meeting of the supervisors and health boards held the previous Monday.

When asked if he approved of Salmons’ actions during the previous meeting, Supervisor Bill Faircloth, chair of the board, stated, “Not really.”

Other business

*A resolution to rescind $51,000 from the Board of Health budget for the 2024 fiscal year passed 2-1 with Supervisor Curt Hilmer voting no. A public hearing for this resolution was set for July 24.

*The Tama County Engineer reported that work on H Avenue is finishing up. The shouldering trucks are out, and Toledo’s Deer Creek Bridge is currently working on abutment piles and will then move on to beams. There have so far been 13 applicants for the open motor grader position with ongoing interviews.

*The Supervisors approved HR Manager Tammy Wise as the Title VI non-discrimination coordinator between Tama Co. and the Iowa DOT.

*A resolution for the ARPA funds was approved.

*Following Nathan Wrage’s resignation from the Tama County Conservation Board, it was approved to advertise for his vacancy.

*Claims totaling $138,634.06 were approved.