GCC-WinterThe Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular budgeting session Thursday.

Assistant Guthrie County Attorney Tim Benton addressed the Board on an invitation from the Iowa State Association of Counties to join in Opioid Litigation. There are currently 46 counties, including Adair and Dallas, that have signed on to participate in the litigation process. There is no up-front cost for counties to join the lawsuit and settlement negotiation hearings will continue on Tuesday, March 6th. Benton recommends declining the invitation as the majority of cases involving drugs in Guthrie County have dealt with methamphetamine, not opioids. No formal action was taken at this time.

Then Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Arganbright addressed the Board on possibly utilizing the old Environmental Health office. Arganbright would like to use that as a possible location to house a deputy or civil clerk. He also sees it as a possible location for a metal detector near the southeast entrance. They also discussed ways to possibly free up space for the crowded jail. Supervisor Clifford Carney wants proposals from the Sheriff’s Office on expansion plans. There was no formal action taken on this topic.

Finally, Dr. Josh Strehle of Guthrie County Hospital addressed the Board on becoming the next County Medical Examiner. Strehle is interested in the position, however he does not want to be on-call 24/7. He would be open to utilizing a Medical Examiner Investigator to assist in his duties. He has identified five local medical professionals who would be interested in filling the investigator role, however he would prefer one or two to take the bulk of those duties. The Board agreed with Strehle’s requests and will continue the process to approve him as the next Medical Examiner. The process will take at least another month.