MINUTES OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF
KEOKUK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION COUNCIL
The first meeting of 2014 of the Iowa County Agricultural Extension Council was held on the 6th day
of January, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. in Sigourney, Iowa.
Janis Collins, acting chairperson, called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the following council
members present: Mike Bensmiller, Janis Collins, Shirley Holm, Brian Kitzman by phone, Clint Mikesell,
Gail Weber. The following council members absent: Justin Abell, Shirley Conkity, Carla Dumont
Others present: Gene Mohling
Extension Council Members for the Year 2015
(Terms beginning January 1, 2015 and expiring December 31, 2018)
Name
Address (including zip code)
Telephone (including area code)
Clint Mikesell
15980 HWY 149, Webster, IA 52355
319-667-2264
Carla Dumont
Shirley Conkity
26734 260th Ave., Ollie, IA 52576
206 Lafayette Street, Harper, IA 52231
641-622-2272
641-660-8760
Mike Bensmiller
Janis Collins
24931 200th Avenue, Sigourney, IA 52591
16807 160th St., What Cheer, IA 50268
319-330-9934
641/634-2160
Name
Shirley A. Holm
(Terms beginning January 1, 2013 and expiring December 31, 2016)
Address (including zip code)
Telephone (including area code)
211 E. Jackson, Sigourney, IA 52591
641-295-4748
Brian Kitzman
P.O. Box 144, Gibson, IA 50104
641-295-4782
th
Gail L. Weber
22786 264 St., Sigourney, IA 52591
641-224-2259
Justin Abell
23174 210th Avenue, Sigourney, IA 52591
641-224-2680
ELECTION OF COUNCIL OFFICERS:
Motion by Clint Mikesell to nominate the slate of officers as follows: Brian Kitzman seconded the motion,
motion carried 7-0. Officers for 2015 will be as follows: Chairman, Gail Weber; Vice-Chairman, Janis
Collins; Secretary, Mike Bensmiller; Treasurer, Brian Kitzman
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF FISCAL POLICIES:
Gene Mohling shared the Fiscal Policy for Keokuk County.
policy. 2nd by Janis Collins. Carried unanimously.
Mike Bensmiller moved to accept the fiscal
The Council discussed Petty Cash Funds, Debit Cards, Signature requirements, and Credit Cards. *See
Fiscal Policy for Keokuk County Agricultural Extension District Manual
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Motion by Shirley Holm and seconded by Janis Collins that the Keokuk County Agricultural
Extension District approve the following (Carried 6-0)
1. The County Bank in Sigourney, IA be approved as the depository for the County Agricultural
Extension checking account fund for 2015 and MidWestOne Bank, Sigourney, IA, serve as the
depository for the Savings account; and that all receipts be deposited in said bank; and that the
maximum amount to be on deposit is $250,000.
2. The regional extension education director be directed to secure an appropriate treasurer's bond for
$20,000 and employee dishonestly policy for duly elected treasurer, and that the chair, treasurer,
other council members, youth outreach educator, regional extension education director, office
assistant, and county bookkeeper be placed on the county bond. Cost of $163.58 annually; invoiced
semi-annually. Council finds the group package in compliance with Iowa Code 176.A.14.5 and
sufficient coverage for county staff and volunteers handling money.
3. Brian Kitzman duly elected as treasurer, and Janis Collins, duly elected Vice Chair, is directed to sign
operating fund checks as needed to pay for budgeted expenses between regularly scheduled Council
meetings, as authorized under Keokuk County Fiscal Policy Section 4.1.B.
4. All council members receive at every meeting the following financial reports: Balance Sheet;
Council Revenue & Expense Report; and Voucher Report. The council members receive at every
meeting the financial reports for monthly bills (expenses), a summary of accounts by month and year
to date expenses to budget. The chair and treasurer will also receive monthly transaction of all
account balances.
SELECTION OF A DATE AND TIME FOR MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL:
Motion by Janis Collins that 2015 future council meetings will be held on the 1st Tuesday of the month at
6:00 pm, unless otherwise stated. 2nd by Mike Bensmiller Motion carried 6-0. Gene Mohling talked about
having a quorum to vote on items and how important it is to have all council members present at the monthly
meetings.
The following Rules of Procedure are established:
1) The minutes and agenda to be sent to members in advance of each meeting.
2) The extension council shall follow "Robert's Rules of Order" as a guide to conduct meetings.
3) A quorum for conducting business of the extension district is defined as more than one-half of the
extension council members per Iowa Code Chapter 4.1, subsection 25.
4) All council members and the regional extension education director are expected to attend monthly
meetings.
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IACEC Liaison for 2015
Motion by Brian Kitzman to approve Mike Bensmiller as the IACEC Liaison for 2015. 2nd by Shirley Holm.
Motion carried 6-0.
$2000 budget for program support for the variety of events and program efforts. Janis Collins moved to
accept the $2000 budget for 4-H events/activities. Brian Kitzman seconded. Carried unanimously.
Presented information on a joint regional plan to hire an employee to manage and coordinate summer STEM
camps. Janis Collins moved to opt out for 2015 and explore a regional camp STEM camp in 2016, 2nd by
Shirley Holm. Carried unanimously.
Approval of December Minutes
Motion by Shirley Holm to approve the minutes for the December meeting. 2nd by Mike Bensmiller. Motion
carried 6-0.
Approval of December Financial Statements & January Vouchers
Motion by Janis Collins to approve checks 10028-10052 plus the EFT’s. 2nd by Clint Mikesell. Carried
unanimously.
Motion by Mike Bensmiller to accept the Operating Checking account balance of $175,210.59 and the savings account
balance of $21,552.14 as of December 31, 2014. 2nd by Shirley Holm. Carried 6-0
LIST OF VOLUNTEERS: Changes to the beef committee will be forth coming.
OTHER EXTENSION COUNCIL BUSINESS:
Budget Estimates for FY15 were reviewed along with the FY’14 figures
Budget Estimate & Levy for FY’16
Gene handed out a draft budget and certificate of taxes to be looked over. Discussion followed.
Mileage Reimbursement
Set at the state rate of $.39 per mile.
Motion by Janis Collins to set the estimated FY’16 tax levy at $165,260 with a mil rate of $.30 with
total expenses of $294,567 (includes tort) plus a tort liability levy of $800 and a mil rate of $.00145.
2nd by Shirley Holm. Carried unanimously. The budget will be posted to the IDOM web site, the
public hearing notice will be published in the local newspaper. The final FY’16 budget will be
approved after the public hearing.
Mike Bensmiller moved to table wage discussion until February. 2nd by Brian Kitzman. Carried
unanimously.
.
Set Time and Date for Budget Hearing
Motion by Shirley Holm to set the public hearing on February 3 at 6:30 p.m. for the FY’16 budget 2nd by
Clint Mikesell. Motion carried 6-0.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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Selection of Official Newspapers for 2015
Motion by Janis Collins to select the Clarion Plainsman and Sigourney News Review as the official
newspapers for placing public notices. 2nd by Shirley Holm. Motion carried 6-0.
Council Committee Structure
Motion by Brain Kitzman that committees would be appointed when the need arises. 2nd by Mike Bensmiller
Motion carried 6-0. Potential committees include finance, program and personnel
Review of ADA, EEO, Title IX and VI, open meetings laws: We will follow the statutes/laws and meeting
laws.
Program Update: PABS has ended and presented in two school. Holiday season camps were held for youth.
Farm Bill training sessions have been offered. Youth opportunities workshop held Dec. 29.
Discussion centered on hiring a summer intern. Mike Bensmiller moved to approve the hiring of a summer
intern. 2nd by Shirley Holm Carried unanimously.
HR Office Policy policy was updated in May 2013
Other Business Motion by Janis Collins to work on Martin Luther King Day and take the Friday, April 3,
as a holiday. 2nd by Clint Mikesell . Motion carried 6-0.
Guidelines changes for the county fair can be covered in the months ahead.
Motion by Brian Kitzman to adjourn the meeting, 2nd by Mike Bensmiller. Carried 6-0
I, Gail Weber, Chairperson, and I, Mike Bensmiller, Secretary, to the best of our knowledge and
belief, certify that the above is a correct record of actions taken at said meeting.
Signed this 6th day of January, 2015, ______________________________________
Mike Bensmiller, Secretary
Signed this 6th day of January, 2015, ______________________________________
Gail Weber, Chairperson
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One copy to be filed in the County Extension Office and typed in the
County Agricultural Extension Council Minute Book.
CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION*
Keokuk County Agricultural Extension Council
I, Gail Weber, Chairperson, and I, Mike Bensmiller, Secretary of the Keokuk County Agricultural
Extension Council do hereby certify that the first meeting of 2015 of the elected council members of the
Keokuk County Agricultural Extension Council was held on the 6th day of January, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. at the
Extension Office, Sigourney, Iowa, and elected the following as chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary and
treasurer of the Keokuk County Agricultural Extension Council for one-year terms starting January 2015.
Address
Name
(including zip code)
Telephone
(including area
code)
E-mail address
(if available)
22786 264th St.,
Gail Weber
641-224-2259 gailw1@hotmail.com
Chairperson
Sigourney, IA 52591
janis.collins@ia.usda.gov
16807 160th St-What
641/634-2160
Vice-chairperson Janis Collins
Cheer, IA 50268
24931 200th Avenue,
Mike Bensmiller
319-330-9934 bennys820@gmail.com
Secretary
Sigourney, IA 52591
P.O. Box 144, Gibson,
Brian Kitzman
641-295-4782 bkitzman@gmail.com
Treasurer
IA 50104
The following is a complete list of members of the Iowa County Agricultural Extension Council: (List all
members including officers listed above.)
Extension Council Members for the Year 2015
(Terms beginning January 1, 2015 and expiring December 31, 2018)
Name
Address (including zip code)
Telephone (including area code)
Clint Mikesell
15980 HWY 149, Webster, IA 52355
319-667-2264
Carla Dumont
Shirley Conkity
26734 260th Ave., Ollie, IA 52576
206 Lafayette Street, Harper, IA 52231
641-622-2272
641-660-8760
Mike Bensmiller
24931 200th Avenue, Sigourney, IA 52591
319-330-9934
Janis Collins
th
16807 160 St., What Cheer, IA 50268
641/634-2160
(Terms beginning January 1, 2013 and expiring December 31, 2016)
Address (including zip code)
Telephone (including area code)
Name
Shirley A. Holm
211 E. Jackson, Sigourney, IA 52591
641-295-4748
Brian Kitzman
Gail L. Weber
Justin Abell
P.O. Box 69, What Cheer, IA 50268
22786 264th St., Sigourney, IA 52591
23174 210th Avenue, Sigourney, IA 52591
641-295-4782
641-224-2259
641-224-2680
The following are bona fide signatures of duly elected officers of the Keokuk County Agricultural
Extension Council:
Signature of Chairperson
Gail Weber _______________________________________________
Signature of Vice-Chairperson:
Janis Collins_______________________________________________
Signature of Secretary:
Mike Bensmiller____________________________________________
Signature of Treasurer:
Brian Kitzman______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Depository: The County Bank and MidWestOne Bank in Sigourney, Keokuk County, Iowa are
approved as the depository for the Keokuk County Agricultural Extension District for the year of 2015, with
maximum amount on deposit to be $250,000.
Date January 6th, 2015
Date January 6th, 2015




Signed ________________________________________
Gail Weber, Chairperson
Signed ________________________________________
Mike Bensmiller, Secretary
Original copy to be filed in office of the Board of Supervisors (County Auditor)
One copy to be filed with the County Treasurer
One copy to be sent to your Regional Extension Education Director
One copy to be filed in the County Extension Office
NOTICE THAT BOND OF
KEOKUK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
DISTRICT TREASURER HAS BEEN FILED
I, __________________, County Auditor of Keokuk County, Iowa, do hereby notify Gail Weber,
Chairperson of the Keokuk County Agricultural Extension District, that Brian Kitzman, Treasurer; Gene
Mohling, Regional Extension Director; Lori Meierotto, Bookkeeper; Michele Sieren, Youth Outreach
Educator; Katrinna Bain, Office Manager and Jorie Altenhofen, Office Assistant; of the Keokuk County
Agricultural Extension District has filed in this office on this ______ day of ____________________, 2015,
a surety bond in the amount of $20,000 dollars.
Dated this _______ day of __________________, 2015.
___________________________________
Keokuk County Auditor
 File original copy in the County Extension Office
 Send one copy to your Regional Extension Education Director
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