Supervisors discuss bird recertification, YouTube

By Kate Klimesh,

Sunday, January 29, 2023 4:21 pm

The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors discussed many funding requests from various county departments Monday, Jan. 23, gearing up for the upcoming Supervisors Budget Hearing in February. 

The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors discussed many funding requests from various county departments Monday, Jan. 23, gearing up for the upcoming Supervisors Budget Hearing in February. 
Action taken includes a resolution authorizing Winneshiek County Conservation to recertify as a bird-friendly Iowa community. Winneshiek County was one of the first of three counties with the bird-friendly county designation for the program. The county has a rich tradition of protecting, restoring and enhancing bird habitat, reducing threats to birds and engaging and educating people in birding and conservation and wishes to recertify as a bird-friendly county. The supervisors unanimously voted to authorize the application be submitted for recertification.  
Additionally, Supervisors discussed video recording each meeting and posting it to YouTube or Facebook. Supervisor Shirley Vermace shared information from two other counties posting video to YouTube with comments turned off. “I think it’s a good direction and I think it’s our future,” Vermace added.  
Supervisor Mark Vick noted, “I have had no one ask me to do it.” Vermace moved to record and post meetings to increase transparency, education of the public and convenience of the community, seconded by Mark Faldet.  Motion failed with two votes for from Vermace and Faldet, and three votes opposed from Vick, Steve Kelsay and Dan Langreck. 
The Winneshiek County Board of Adjustment saw a change as well with John Rodecap resigning his position. The Supervisors unanimously approved the application of Joseph Pinter to fill the vacancy through Oct. 1, 2023.