The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular budgeting session Thursday.

The Board approved two bridge replacement projects over Bays Branch Creek. The first bridge is a timber structure near the intersection of Viola and 210th Street, north of Panora. A concrete structure will replace the wooden bridge at an estimated cost of $425,000. Most of the funding for this project will come from federal aid, so the Iowa Department of Transportation will handle the bidding. The second bridge, located on Viceroy Trail southeast of Panora, will cost slightly less and will be funded entirely through Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Since the second project is TIF funded, the bidding will be done locally. The Board also approved plans for three Hungry Canyons Alliance projects and an additional survey. The survey is fully funded through the grant program, while the Board will contribute a 20% match for the other projects.

Also, Guthrie Center Communications (GCC) recommended replacing 25 courthouse computers during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. GCC also suggested buying the computers in bulk, rather than buying one or two at a time. GCC will make contingency plans in their future budget presentation for the upcoming fiscal year and the Board took no formal action at this time.

Finally, Transfer Station Executive Director Jotham Arber informed the Board he intends to install credit/debit card transaction capabilities. There will be a $0.98 convenience fee per ton of garbage deposited to use a credit or debit card. He also noted that starting Monday, the gates will close at 3:30pm, with the station closing at 4. These hours will be effective through the rest of the winter.