Supervisors approve $1.75M in claims, set Feb. 16 budget-hearing, confirm appointments; staff announce special election and new county attorney

Muscatine County supervisors approved routine business items at their Jan. 5 meeting, including payment of claims totaling $1,751,313.38 and several administrative items.

The board moved to approve the claims listed for Jan. 5, 2026, and approved them without discussion. Supervisors also approved a single utility permit from MP and W of Muscatine to bore fiber along Bayfield Road to serve a new service at 2665 Bayfield Road; the installation was described as largely in the right-of-way with a road crossing.

Administration asked the board to set a public hearing on proposed FY2526 Muscatine County budget amendments for Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at 9 a.m.; the board approved scheduling that hearing. A supervisor said these are typically the last amendments for the fiscal year and that the county usually completes final budget work in June.

The board reviewed and approved its list of 2026 appointments to boards and commissions, including small changes to who serves as chair and vice chair on certain bodies and an update to a member's term.

During staff announcements, a county employee said a special election for the Davenport School District PPEL will be held March 3, 2026, at Stockton City Hall from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The same staff member said they would prepare a letter to the Secretary of State documenting that Jim Berry has resigned as county attorney and that "Corey Tockington" (the transcript also shows a variant spelling "Tarkington") has been appointed and took the oath of office that morning. A supervisor congratulated the new county attorney.

The board opened the meeting for public comment, heard none, and adjourned.