Board adopts nepotism policy, approves several contracts and a fireworks permit

The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors on June 8 adopted a county nepotism policy, approved several routine policy revisions and authorized multiple contracts and permits.

During the meeting the board:

- Adopted a Muscatine County nepotism policy after a motion and voice vote.

- Approved revisions to the Board of Supervisors meeting agenda policy (updating contact and distribution info and notification signup), a financial system correction procedure (updated wording and corrective procedures for payroll/AP/AR), and a hiring request approval policy (updated position title and shift information field; revised language to align with the new nepotism policy). County staff said Kayla Peterson will coordinate broader policy updates with departments and outside counsel.

- Authorized the chair to sign a fiscal year 2026-2027 contract for specialized transport services with River Bend Transit in the amount of $7,000 and an employer-of-record contract with the Eastern Iowa Workforce Development Board for FY 2026-2027.

- Approved a certificate statement for the fiscal year 2025-2026 cost allocation plan related to Department of Health and Human Resources local administration expenses; the certificate statement is available for review in the administration office.

- Approved a fireworks permit application from David Starkweather; a board member noted Starkweather has held that permit for years without issue.

The meeting also recorded administrative notes: staff announced the canvass of votes for the primary election scheduled for 9:00 a.m. the next morning and noted a federal application for CHS had been received by federal reviewers. Where votes were recorded in the transcript they were voice votes recorded as "Aye"; the transcript does not include individual roll-call tallies or names attached to each 'Aye' in these motions.