CHARLES CITY — Floyd County officials are considering increasing the amount the county will pay toward burials and cremations for qualifying residents after learning that only one funeral home currently accepts the county’s existing rate.
The Floyd County Board of Supervisors discussed the issue during its August 25 meeting after Public Health Director Gail Arjes presented an update on the county’s General Assistance program.
Arjes proposed reducing General Assistance eligibility from three times per calendar year to two and recommended increasing the county burial benefit.
She told supervisors that only one funeral home currently accepts the county’s fee and that Floyd County paid for seven county-funded cremations during fiscal year 2025.
A burial benefit of $2,000 was suggested based on rates offered by surrounding counties.
Supervisors Frank Rottinghaus and Boyd Campbell initially moved to increase Floyd County’s burial fee to $1,800, including grave-opening fees and mileage. After further discussion, however, the motion was withdrawn.
Board Chair Gloria Carr requested that Arjes prepare a revised policy for future consideration, and supervisors ultimately took no action on the proposal.
General Assistance fees have been looming as an issue for the board for several weeks. In an earlier Floyd County supervisors meeting reported by NorthIowaToday.com, General Assistance fees were already listed among upcoming matters for the board.
The burial discussion was one of several items handled by Supervisors Gloria Carr, Boyd Campbell and Frank Rottinghaus, who were all present at the August 25 meeting.
Supervisors also scheduled a public hearing concerning the proposed disposition of property described as Lanes Addition, the east 40 feet of Lot 26 and the east 40 feet of the south 14 feet of Lot 27 in Block 137, Parcel No. 120632900500.
The hearing is scheduled for September 15 at 9:15 a.m. in the Floyd County Courthouse Board Room. The motion passed 3-0.
The board discussed transferring Tax Sale Certificate #1982-99005 for Parcel No. 141610601500 but took no action.
Supervisors also noted three resignations from Floyd County Conservation. Conservation Aides Clay Price and Carter Burkhardt resigned effective August 7, while Conservation Brick and Tile Intern Cole Hanson resigned effective August 11.
The meeting followed another recent session in which Floyd County supervisors dealt with major road and bridge matters and a massive rock bill while also listing General Assistance fees as a future agenda item.
Supervisors approved County claims #373 through #414 and Engineer claims #10109 through #10119.
COUNTY CLAIMS AND EXPENSES
Ahlers Legal — Legal — $1,502.68
Amazon — Supplies — $333.81
A. Bellinger — Reimbursement — $85.80
Black Hawk — Service Fee — $38.10
Breitbach — Tests — $80.00
J. Butterfield — Reimbursement — $131.34
S. Butterfield — Reimbursement — $19.14
Central Iowa Distribution — Supplies — $84.00
CenturyLink — Phone — $8.16
Cerro Gordo County — Service Fee — $32.02
Charles City Press — Services — $385.92
Charles City — Services — $158.32
Colwell — TJ-Road — $456.35
Floyd — TJ-Road — $574.04
Marble Rock — TJ-Road — $1,228.97
Rudd — TJ-Road — $1,579.23
Cresco Shopper — Service — $160.00
B. Hinz — Reimbursement — $157.08
Floyd County Medical Center — Medical — $791.50
Floyd County Sheriff’s Office — Services — $1,016.42
Fox Rehab — Evaluation — $5,280.00
S. Funte — Reimbursement — $77.22
M. Huegel — PEO — $3,000.00
J. Lovik — Reimbursement — $229.02
M&J Snap On Tools — $107.32
M Prints — Service — $35.00
MidAmerican Energy — Utilities — $588.20
Mitchell — Service Fee — $30.00
Modern Imaging — Service — $859.50
Newbauer — Custodial — $23.00
Pakor — Supplies — $173.47
Pollard Exterminating — $109.20
PowerPlan — Parts — $123.87
Pro Service — Service — $745.81
Quality Auto — Service — $271.25
T. Schriever — Reimbursement — $66.91
B. Solomon — Reimbursement — $88.16
State Hygienic Laboratory — Tests — $547.50
State Medical Examiner — Autopsy — $2,249.00
T&K — Parts — $743.51
Veit, LLC — Equipment — $58.94
Visa — Miscellaneous — $44.98
L. Wulff — Reimbursement — $187.44
Among the larger expenses were $5,280 to Fox Rehab for an evaluation, $3,000 to M. Huegel for PEO expenses, $2,249 to the State Medical Examiner for an autopsy, $1,579.23 to the city of Rudd for road-related expenses and $1,502.68 to Ahlers Legal.
Floyd County supervisors routinely approve county and engineer expenditures during their regular meetings. Earlier this summer, the board approved a $23.9 million county budget appropriation along with salary certifications and another lengthy claims list.
Carr reported attending the Iowa State Association of Counties Fall Conference.
Future agenda items include the General Assistance fee schedule, Washington Watershed and codification of county ordinances.
The meeting adjourned at 10:41 a.m.