DECORAH -- Winneshiek County supervisors on Monday will review a policy on smoking on county property. The meeting will begin at 10:45 a.m.

Though the Winneshiek County Courthouse is smoke free, an ordinance proposed by the county's health board would extend to other buildings, areas surrounding entrances and county vehicles.

During a recent meeting, Board of Supervisors Chairman Dean Darling proposed holding a public hearing on the idea, but his motion failed for lack of a second.

"I have not taken a position on the content of the proposed ordinance. All I was trying to do was to schedule a public hearing on the issue as properly proposed by the board of health," Darling said.

Supervisor Les Askelson said there doesn't seem to be support for the ordinance by other members of the board. He added he's not hearing any complaints about the county's existing smoking policy.

Askelson was a supervisor when smoking was banned at the courthouse and at the Smith Building, which houses agencies such as Winneshiek County Public Health and Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation.

"I have a problem of making an ordinance and creating a law that needs to be enforced. The first infraction is a $150 fine and the second is a $500 fine. I guess I question who would enforce that," " Askelson said.

Darling said supervisors made a "major mistake" in not setting up a public hearing. He said the health board made a reasonable recommendation and supervisors should afford the group that courtesy.

The proposed ordinance states any citizen could register a complaint about a violation with the Winneshiek County Board of Health or its designee.

Krista Vanden Brink, the county's public health nursing administrator, said reducing exposure to secondhand smoke for employees and citizens is a concern the health board is addressing. She added tobacco smoke contributes to indoor air pollution and that breathing secondhand smoke can cause disease, including lung cancer.

"I have no problem looking at it and re-addressing the current policy," Askelson said. "I have a problem creating an ordinance that might be difficult to enforce."