Fairfield City Council talks 28E with county

FAIRFIELD — Approving bills at the start of city council meetings is normally a routine function that generates little fanfare.

But during Monday’s Fairfield City Council meeting, the council spent a few minutes discussing a bill from Jefferson County for about $10,000 for expenses at the Jefferson County Law Center. Council member Doug Flournoy said he has complained that the county is not living up to its 28E Agreement with the city, which states that expenses greater than $5,000 must be discussed with the city and that the cost splitting has to be negotiated. Flournoy said the county did not get the city’s approval after initiating $20,000 in expenses.

“When that became known to us, we objected immediately, and I would characterize it as being brushed off,” Flournoy said.

Flournoy recommended paying all the other bills, but setting aside the bill from the county for further discussion.

“The real issue here is that last August, and certainly over a year ago, I asked that a budget be put together for that building [Jefferson County Law Center], according to the requirements of the 28E,” Flournoy said. “Over a year ago, no one responded. In August, I asked again and was denied. We’ve been asking for months for a capital improvements plan, and we finally got one at the last meeting.”

Flournoy and council member Paul Gandy are members of the 911 service agency that also includes two Jefferson County Supervisors, Dee Sandquist and Daryn Hamilton. Gandy agreed with Flournoy’s assessment that the county was not following its 28E agreement with the city on the law center.

“We’re just asking that the 28E agreement be followed as written,” Gandy said. “This is an example of it not being followed. We have to start somewhere, and one place is with the bills, because that certainly gets the county’s attention. That’s why we’ve gotten to the point where we’re going to have mediation this Friday.”

Gandy was referring to a mediator the city and county have hired to help them settle the dispute they’re having over the 28E agreement on how 911 dispatch service is paid for. The mediator is Richard Calkins, former dean of Drake Law School.

The council agreed to pay all the city’s bills except for the bill from the county, which would be paid only after the city receives the requisite invoices for the work.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com