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THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
WASHINGTON COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD (WCCB)
January 15th, 2026
Meeting to order: Board President Craig Capps called the meeting to order at 4:03PM at the
Washington County Conservation Center at Marr Park.
Roll call:
B O A R D M E M B E R S P R E S E N T : B a r b D o n k e r s l o o t , B i l l N i c k e l l , C r a i g C a p p s
B O A R D M E M B E R S A B S E N T : K i m P r i e r , S t a n S t o o p s
STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Zach Rozmus, Ranger/Operations Supervisor Cody
Smith, Ranger Seth Adam, Naturalist Megan Jorgensen
GUESTS PRESENT: Bob Yoder
Board Member Oath of Office: Board member Bill Nickell was reappointed to his board position
by the Board of Supervisors. Nickell read his oath of office aloud and all parties present signed as
witnesses.
Election of Officers: Board member Bill Nickell made a motion to appoint Craig Capps as board
president. Motion was seconded by Barb Donkersloot and carried unanimously.
Bill Nickell made a motion to appoint Barb Donkersloot as board vice president. Motion was
seconded by Craig Capps and carried unanimously.
Bill Nickell made a motion to appoint Kim Prier as board secretary. Motion was seconded by Barb
Donkersloot and carried unanimously.
Approval of agenda: A motion was made to approve the agenda as provided by Bill Nickell and
seconded by Barb Donkersloot. Carried unanimously.
Review previous meeting minutes: A motion was made by Barb Donkersloot to approve the December
18th, 2025 regular meeting minutes. Motion was seconded by Bill Nickell and carried unanimously.
DISCUSSIONS AND ACTIONS:
a. 2026-27 WCCB Budget
Rozmus presented the 2026-27 budget proposal to the conservation board for review. Included in
the budget were 2.8% wage increases for WCCB staff and a 0% operating budget increase.
Following the presentation of the budget Barb Donkersloot made a motion to acknowledge the
budget. Motion was seconded by Bill Nickell and carried unanimously. Craig Capps advised
Rozmus that he would gladly attend the budget hearing with the Board of Supervisors.
b. Marr Park Pickleball/Playground Project
Rozmus advised that he spoke with Kalona Mini Building earlier in the week, and he anticipated
the new shelter would be delivered to the park some time in the next month, but noted that the
installation of the shelter would be dependent on the weather.
c. 2025-26 WCCB Budget Update
Rozmus provided a quick update on the current fiscal year budget. The biggest item to report
was that the Conservation Center printer was going to have to be replaced. The current unit has
no issues but is old enough where they are no longer making ink cartridges for it. The new unit
would cost roughly $2800.
d. Southtown Future Planning
Rozmus delivered an update to the board regarding the Kalona Trails Committee meetings, in
addition to an update on ongoing projects at Southtown.
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e. Acquisition of Beehive/s
WCCB advised the board that they were in the process of researching the potential of acquiring
beehive/s that could be placed at Marr Park. Rozmus advised that he loved the potential
environmental and educational impacts that could be drawn from the undertaking. Rozmus
acknowledged that it would be important for WCCB to be tactful in choosing location/s for the
hives, but said he thought the biggest concern was just mowing near the hives as there are several
locations within the park that would be off the beaten path just enough to limit encounters with
the general public.
Updates:
a. Willow Pond Latrine
Rozmus advised that there was no update to report. Staff will allow the latrine to settle over the
winter so the final grading and seeding around the restroom could be achieved.
b. Part-time Center Coordinator Position
Rozmus advised that the position had been posted and he hoped to find a minimum of two
additional part-timers to assist with the summer schedule.
c. Marr Park Residence
Rozmus informed the board that there was little to report on this item.
Review of monthly reports
Ranger/Operations Supervisor Cody Smith’s monthly report was provided and reviewed.
Ranger/Patrol Sergeant Brett Johnson’s monthly report was provided and reviewed.
Ranger/Technician Seth Adam’s monthly report was provided and reviewed.
Maintenance Technician Jacob Adrian’s monthly report was provided and reviewed.
Activities Director Randi Brase’s monthly report was provided and reviewed.
Naturalist Megan Jorgensen’s monthly report was provided and reviewed.
Executive Director Zach Rozmus’ monthly report was provided and reviewed.
Bills
During this time a summary of the bills totaling $14,100.11 for the month of January, 2026 were
presented to the board.
TO WHOM FOR AMOUNT
Ace-N-More Winter supplies, salt softener, batteries, paint, $620.56
cutwheel supplies, mice repellant, wood duck box
bedding, cornhole boards
Arnold Motor Supply Oil, filters, washer fluid, wiper blades $174.03
Colbert Trucking LLC Gravel haul $250.00
Copy Systems Monthly print contract $81.70
Custom Impressions Embroidery - Cody $18.84
Eastern Iowa Light & Power Monthly electricity - November & December $3,046.98
Greg Giardino Hall & Library carpet cleaning $881.93
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IAN Treasurer IAN Membership $20.00
igraphix Postage $150.53
Iowa Dept. of Public Safety ORI Number $300.00
Iowa State University Pesticide course - maintenance staff $240.00
Jim's Small Engine Echo saw maintenance $216.01
John Deere Mower maintenance $196.87
KCTC Monthly internet - November & December $462.70
Menards Cornhole boards $172.88
River Products Company Inc Playground gravel $629.70
RJF Electric Pickleball court lighting $1,703.45
Staples Landline phones, planner $145.11
State Hygienic Laboratory Water testing $15.50
US Cellular Monthly cell service - November & December $598.92
VISA Winterfest, Cody uniform, batteries, calendars, $1,377.78
gloves, clock, mice, bags, glue sticks, stencils,
Zoom subscription, replacement bricks
Washington Auto Center Tires and alignment on silver truck $1,338.14
Washington Discount Tire Tires on Director truck $913.48
Wemiga Waste Trash removal - November $545.00
TOTAL BILLS $14,100.11
*The aforementioned minutes are to be considered a synopsis of each agenda item dialogue and not
an entire recollection of all the events that transpired.
Meeting Adjourned: A motion was made by Bill Nickell and seconded by Barb Donkersloot to adjourn the
meeting at 5:25PM. Motion was carried unanimously.
SIGNATURE DATE
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