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

TOLEDO – As the early Monday morning dew still lay upon the grass, many local citizens gathered at the Supervisor’s meeting room to have their say at the second public hearing for the new public comment ordinance. Multiple citizens stood at the front of the room calling the new ordinance censorship, and a violation of free speech.

The ordinance was first brought to the board several weeks ago by Tama County Human Resources Manager Tammy Wise. Wise answered questions about the ordinance from those in attendance. Tammy informed the crowd that Tama County would be the first county in Iowa with such an ordinance, and if it was approved, then the other nine counties in the Heartland Insurance Risk Pool would consider doing the same.

She also answered a question as to the origin of the ordinance by saying that she herself had put it together, most of which is pulled straight from the Iowa Code. This admission caused one citizen towards the back of the room to call it the “Tammy Ordinance.”

One comment by Citizen Karen Murty got a big reaction.

“Since we are setting, sort of an example for the rest of the state of Iowa, do we really want that on the front page of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, ‘Tama County Removed Little Old Ladies for Disorderly Conduct?” Murty asked.

The third and final public hearing for this proposed ordinance will be held on May 6, at 9:45 a.m.

Other business

The County Engineer started the meeting like usual with his report, saying that Denko finished crack filling on V37. Iowa Bridge and Culvert has been working on 220th, and will possibly be moving on to P Avenue, also the department just got a new road groomer.

Some seed will be picked up this week, and a resolution to go to 4-10 hour days was approved. US 63 from the Iowa bridge to Highway 6 being shut down was discussed, as well as dust control for gravel roads that will be utilized for detours.

A public hearing was held for the FY25 budget, there were no comments and the budget was approved. A credit card for the Treasurer’s office was also approved.

The Veteran Affairs quarterly report was approved as well.

Claims totaling $179,177.74 were approved.

Tama County Board of Supervisors April 22 meeting

On Monday, April 22, as birds chirped and squirrels dug up their hidden winter nuts, the regulars grouped inside the Supervisor’s meeting room. Before the regular meeting, County Engineer Ben Daleske stopped in to talk to the supervisors and ended up giving his report. So when the usual meeting started, the supervisors jumped right into checking off agenda items.

The main issue on the agenda was the first public hearing for a new ordinance that would tighten up the rules during the supervisors’ public comment time. The change was brought to the board a few weeks ago by Tama County Human Resources Manager Tammy Wise who said that versions of this ordinance are being put into effect in all 10 counties in the Heartland Insurance Risk Pool.

Several citizens made comments during the public hearing contending that the rules are redundant and oppressive. David W. Turner, a candidate for District 2 Supervisor, read out a written statement about the new rules.

“It is too restrictive when it applies to public participation and limits the chairperson and board from exercising common sense, specifically in dealing with their interactions with the public,” he said. “I submit the proposed ordinance is a very good checklist. But it should be just that, a very good checklist.”

The second public hearing for the public comment ordinance was set for April 29.

A public hearing for FY24 budget amendments was set for May 13 at 10 a.m.

Fox Ridge Winery was approved for a liquor license, and claims totaling $518,618.79 were approved.