Winnebago supervisors approve lawsuit settlement, $155,470 excavator deal at October 20 meeting

FOREST CITY — The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, approved a settlement in two court cases involving Tom and Valerie Dillavou, authorized an excavator purchase with a $155,470 balance after trade-in, and approved itemized claims totaling $622,208.84.

Supervisors Jensvold, Durby and Smith attended the meeting, which began at 9 a.m. All recorded votes were unanimous.

The board also authorized negotiations for a potential land purchase in King Township after the county auditor read a citizen’s letter raising concerns about the acquisition.

Settlement approved after closed session

Supervisors entered a closed session to discuss litigation strategy with counsel. The minutes cite Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) and state that public disclosure of the discussion would likely prejudice or disadvantage the county’s position in pending or imminent litigation.

After returning to open session, the board approved a settlement agreement with Tom and Valerie Dillavou covering Winnebago County cases EQCV018399 and CVCV018588.

The minutes do not disclose the settlement terms, any payment amount or the underlying disputes.

Excavator purchase includes $74,500 trade-in

Supervisors approved a resolution authorizing County Engineer Scott Meinders to accept a quotation from Ziegler Cat of Mason City for a used 2024 Cat 323-07H2 excavator.

The listed purchase price is $229,970. A $74,500 trade-in allowance for the county’s 2014 Cat 320E excavator reduces the net balance to $155,470.

According to the resolution, the purchase fits within the fiscal year 2027 budget, including some unspent money from fiscal year 2026. The equipment is to be received and paid for before July 1, 2027.

Although the resolution identifies the purchase as an excavator, one sentence refers to the equipment as a “loader.”

The separate claims list includes a $397,652.66 equipment payment to Ziegler Inc. The minutes do not explain how that claim relates to the excavator purchase, so the two amounts should not be treated as the same transaction or added together as a confirmed spending total.

Land negotiations follow citizen concerns

The board discussed purchasing property in Section 27 of King Township. Auditor Karla Weiss read a citizen’s letter describing possible negative effects of county ownership of the land.

The minutes do not identify the letter writer or detail the concerns.

Supervisors authorized Meinders to negotiate purchase agreements. The recorded action grants negotiating authority; the minutes do not list a purchase price or approve a final agreement.

Meinders also discussed secondary road work, including ditch work near Leland. Drainage Clerk Kris Oswald provided an update on drainage matters.

Separate account established for easement revenue

Supervisors approved a resolution authorizing an interest-bearing checking account at a local bank for Next Era easement revenue.

The resolution calls for the money and its interest to be maintained separately from the county’s general fund. The county auditor and treasurer will serve as authorized signers.

No bank, deposit amount or interest rate is identified in the resolution.

Claims total $622,208.84; payroll approved separately

The 89 itemized claims in the minutes total $622,208.84. The largest is the $397,652.66 Ziegler Inc. equipment claim, followed by a $46,397 vehicle purchase from Pritchards Lake Chevrolet LLC.

Other substantial claims include $26,191.41 to the Hancock County Auditor for salaries, $16,528.86 to Accurate Controls Inc. for services, $12,923.34 to Ag Vantage FS Inc. for fuel, and $11,923 to HRS LLC for services.

The board separately approved payroll claims, but the minutes do not provide a payroll total.

Supervisors also renewed the county’s program identified in the minutes as “HIPPA.” The auditor’s office reported receiving a manure management plan for Abels Site No. 64418 in Winnebago County.

The board approved the minutes from its October 13 meeting, when supervisors addressed fund transfers and zoning review, and adjourned until 9 a.m. October 27.

Complete October 20 claims list

All 89 itemized claims are listed below. The total is calculated from the amounts in the minutes and does not include the separately approved payroll claims.