Vacationing supervisor lauded for longtime service

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Floyd County supervisors said goodbye to a longtime board member at the last meeting of the current board Wednesday morning. The only catch was he wasn’t there to hear the accolades.

“I do want to mention that we are missing one of our supervisors,” said board Chairwoman Linda Tjaden about Supervisor Mark Kuhn at the beginning of the meeting.

“This would have been Mark’s last day, but he had an opportunity to go on a Christmas vacation to California, so I’m hoping that he’s having a good time,” she said.

“With that, though, I really wanted Mark to be here, because there are a few things that I just wanted to make a statement on. …

“Mark Kuhn served on the board from 1992 to ’98, then went to the state Legislature. When he came back he served again from 2011 to 2018. That’s quite a time for him to be here supporting Floyd County,” Tjaden said.

“I’ve always respected Mark’s opinion. He brought much knowledge and experience to the Board of Supervisors and most that will be missed will be his experience with state matters. I don’t think there’s many that had been on the Board of Supervisors that have that level of state experience and that really was a huge help in several different times in the issues that came in front of us.

“His knowledge and experience helped create a well-rounded Board of Supervisors and is reflected in how progressive Floyd County is in the state of Iowa,” she said.

“Even though we may not have always agreed, … there’s nothing wrong with that. That helps to make a very healthy board.

“He did keep me on my toes and helped me to see the other side of the coin. He helped me to make more well-informed decisions as a member of the Board of Supervisors, keeping in mind what was really best for the citizens of Floyd County,” Tjaden said.

“His passion for representing all facets of Floyd County has not gone unnoticed, and has helped improve quality of life in our county. So, I, personally, want to thank Mark for all of his years of service, not just here in Floyd County but also at the state level,” she said.

Supervisor Doug Kamm added, “I would concur and offer him congratulations and thanks, too.”

Kuhn decided to not run for re-election in November. His seat will be taken over by newly elected Roy Schwickerath in the new year.

Also at the meeting, the board:

• Approved a resolution changing the name in an economic development agreement from Mitas Tires North America Inc. to Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas Inc.

Floyd County and Charles City had signed a development agreement with Mitas in 2011 to provide $2.7 million in tax increment financing (TIF) to bring the Mitas plant to the Southwest Bypass TIF District. The name change is required because Trelleborg acquired CGS Holding, of which Mitas was a subsidiary, and the companies have been going through a process of changing their names. CGS Holding was a Czech Republic company. Trelleborg is a Swedish company.

The Charles City Council has also approved the name change in the document.

• Heard an update on the county law enforcement center and courthouse updates project. County Auditor Gloria Carr said demolition of the county-owned properties on Jackson Street between Gilbert and Court streets would probably begin next week.

Tjaden said she thinks a site has been found to hold court proceedings away from the courthouse when construction gets to the point where it is too loud, but she wanted to confirm it before announcing details.

Supervisors will interview three finalists for the position of construction manager on the project on Monday, Jan. 7. The interviews will be at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Finalists are The Samuels Group of Des Moines and Wausau, Wisconsin; Carl A. Nelson and Co. Construction, with offices in Burlington, Cedar Falls and Muscatine; and Estes Construction of West Des Moines and Davenport.

• Reappointed Dave Boehmer to the Board of Adjustment for another five-year term, and appointed Vickie Zobel to the Zoning Commission for a five-year term.