Doug Bailey was elected as the chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors Thursday morning as the board met for its first meeting of 2020.

Bailey was absent from the meeting due to illness.

Supervisor Dan Campidilli was named the chairman pro-tem and conducted the reorganzational meeting in Bailey’s absence.

The board approved several resolutions setting the new year’s business in action. A resolution authorizing the county auditor to issue certain payments without prior approval of the supervisors. Campidilli explained that the resolution would cover payments for freight, postage, utilities or contractual services as well as salaries and payrolls if the compensation has been fixed or approved by the board.

The auditor was also given the authority to make all budgeted transfers of county funds.

The supervisors approved a resolution giving County Treasurer Judy Warwick the authority to invest county funds. Also, the board authorized County Assessor Kevin Bahrenfuss to allow Homestead Exemptions.

A resolution concerning road closings scheduled for 2020 for construction projects was approved. Three projects were on the list: Inkpaduta Avenue approximately 1,600 feet east of the west quarter corner of Section 30, Township 88 North, Range 25 West; 280th Street between Tollman Avenue and Ubben Avenue; and 290th Street between Saratoga Avenue and Tollman Avenue.

“These are the three that we know are happening in 2020,” Campidilli said. “There could be more added as time goes on. If any other construction activity pops up, we’ll have another resolution at that time.”

Availa Bank, First State Bank, WCF Financial Bank, Iowa Falls State Bank – Williams branch and Security Savings Bank – Stratford Branch, were named as the official depositories for the county.

A construction evaluation resolution pertaining to the master matrix. The resolution follows Iowa Code to adopt the evaluation relating to construction of confinement feeding operation structures.

“This gives us the authority to check the matrix scores,” Campidilli said. “With this we can submit our findings to the Department of Natural Resources.”

“This is really the only tool the Legislature allows counties to have any oversight over the building of any types of construction,” Supervisor Rick Young said.

The board also set the courthouse hours at 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and established the board’s regular meeting times for the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 9 a.m.

Holidays for the courthouse include one day at New Years, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving, the last regular workday before Christmas ending at noon, Christmas Day and New Years along with one floating holiday to be taken during the year.

The Daily Freeman-Journal, Stratford Courier and South Hamilton Record News were designated as the official county newspapers.

The board also approved appointments to the various county boards and commissions. Campidilli highlighted some of the new appointments.

“The main changes this year are with the medical examiner,” he said. “Dr. (J.X.) Latella has retired so Dr. Jon Ahrendsen was appointed the medical examiner July 16. We met with him recently and had a good meeting. We appreciate him coming on board.”

Dr. Dustin Smith was reappointed as the deputy medical examiner. Several medical examiner investigators were also appointed for a one year term — Tiffini Toliver, Melanie Wright Plain, Vinnette Frank, Savannah Schnetzer and Amy Erickson Keller.