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

TOLEDO – During last week’s Tama County Board of Supervisors meeting held on Monday, July 7, Craig Sash was again a main topic of discussion.

A boisterous public hearing regarding Sash’s removal from the Zoning Commission was held on Monday, June 30. As part of the July 7 meeting, supervisors had the option of reappointing Sash or some other individual who had applied. With no discussion on the subject, the supervisors unanimously approved appointing Jodelle Boldt to the vacant position.

Chairman Mark Doland talked about Sash’s removal in a statement to the paper.

“Mr. Sash was removed for cause and he knows what the cause was. The current Board of Supervisors followed the code and guidance of counsel for the removal. I had hoped that we could reach an agreement and that Mr. Sash could be reinstated. However, Mr. Sash’s continued attacks and bashing the Board of Supervisors further confirmed the rationale for his removal,” Doland said.

The supervisors also appointed two new members to the Board of Adjustment. According to the Tama County Website, board members Berleen Wobeter and Mike Seda both had term end dates of June 30, 2025. Wobeter was appointed to the board in Dec. 2024, while Seda was a longtime member of the board. Both Seda and Wobeter applied to be reappointed. Going simply off the applications while conducting no interviews, the supervisors appointed David Sherwood to a term ending on June 30, 2029, and Scott Snyder to a term ending on June 30, 2030.

This decision stirred controversy among those present and watching. Supervisor Heather Knebel talked about how the decision involved choosing someone who would do the best job. She also spoke about how the supervisors were voted in and represent the desires of the majority of the county.

In an unprecedented action, Sheriff’s Detective Trevor Killian stood up and gave his two cents on the conflict stating that maybe they should do it like they do things in the military by assigning numbers and choosing someone blindly without personal prejudice or preference clouding the decision.

In another statement to the paper, Sash spoke about these new appointments.

“Today’s outcome didn’t shock me at all. The public hearing was a joke and the general public is aware of it. Getting rid of Mike Seda and Berleen Wobeter today was just as bad. Mike had been on the BOA for years and Berleen’s term wasn’t even up yet. The only thing those two did wrong was follow ordinances, the law and state code. They voted against what the supervisors want, they tried to keep the county out of more lawsuits. Their reward for doing so? They get dismissed as well. This board doesn’t like to be called dictators, maybe they shouldn’t act like dictators,” Sash said.

Other business

Tama County Engineer Ben Daleske reported that they’ll be doing ditch and culvert work at the intersection of F Avenue and 280th Street. They will be doing bridge repairs on H Ave just north of E69.

The supervisors approved a right-of-way purchase for 300th Street for the Toledo Bridge project.

A utility permit was also approved.

Daleske talked about an odd smell in the shop that seems to be getting worse and has an unknown origin. Comments have been made about the pungent odor, and a forensic test on the smell needs to be conducted for approximately $2,900. Daleske said he does not know where in the budget he will find the money for the forensic sniff test. Turner agreed that something needs to be done about the smell as he worries for their health constantly being around the strong smell.

The supervisors approved transferring funds from the Health Fund to the General Basic Fund.

The supervisors approved reallocating ARPA funds.

The supervisors approved the Sheriff’s quarterly report.

Claims totaling $45,832.19 were approved.