Supervisors organize for 2026, approve appointments
SHELBY COUNTY — The Shelby County Board of Supervisors held its annual organizational meeting Jan. 2 at the courthouse, setting the framework for county operations in 2026. Supervisors Bryce Schaben, Charles Parkhurst and Mike Kolbe were present, along with Auditor and Clerk Taryn Knapp.
The board elected Charles Parkhurst as chairman and Mike Kolbe as vice chairman for the 2026 calendar year. Supervisors also approved their regular meeting schedule, which will continue on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, and approved minutes and claims from late December.
Supervisors approved a budget amendment for fiscal year 2026 following a public hearing that drew no comments. The amendment increases EMS funding to allow for the purchase of an ambulance and raises General Assistance expenditures, with EMS costs offset by revenue and assistance costs covered by reserves. The board also approved reappropriations within the county budget.
Several personnel and administrative actions were approved, including a 1 percent wage increase for qualifying county employees, authorization for the auditor to issue payroll without prior board approval, and the required bonding for elected officials. Supervisors adopted resolutions reaffirming the county’s non-discrimination policy, authorizing economic development funding, and renewing the county’s participation in the master matrix process for evaluating confinement feeding operations.
The board approved numerous appointments for 2026, including deputy county officials, committee assignments for supervisors, a weed commissioner, medical examiners, conservation board members, and the compensation board for condemnation proceedings. Jay Ring was appointed weed commissioner, Scott Markham was approved as county medical examiner, and Paulette Madsen was appointed to a four-year term on the Conservation Board.
Supervisors also approved the Harlan Tribune and Harlan News-Advertiser as official county newspapers, selected The Agency of Harlan as the county’s bonding broker, and authorized participation in the Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund with a $10,000 contribution to support homeownership and housing repairs.
Other actions included approval of bridge and road embargo resolutions to protect infrastructure during vulnerable conditions, authorization to solicit fuel bids for the Secondary Roads Department, acceptance of county farm ground rental bids, and approval of mileage reimbursement at 72.5 cents per mile. Paid holidays for county employees in 2026 were also set.
The board also approved health, dental and vision insurance rates for fiscal year 2027, continued participation in the ISAC Wellness Program, and adopted incentive levels tied to employee participation and insurance savings.
