The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday.
The meeting began with the Board approving Human Resources Director Pam Lane enrolling in Tyler Technologies training at a cost of $520, and the Board received an update from Environmental Health and Public Health Director Jotham Arber. Following a fireworks permit that was submitted by the City of Menlo for their sesquicentennial, County Attorney Brenna Bird clarified to the Board that they should not approve the permit as the display is being held within city limits and should be subject to the City’s jurisdiction. Next, the Board approved a resolution in support of Marsy’s Law, which would provide victim support through the state’s constitution. The Board then approved increasing jail fees from $50 to $60 per day. Sheriff Marty Arganbright said this was needed as the County hadn’t increased its fees in over a decade.
Arganbright then discussed the timeline of the jail project with Facilities Manager Brandon Thompson and Holly Birkey of the Samuels Group. Arganbright said he didn’t think there was enough time to hold a special election in August to pass a bond referendum, as the Board has not received the final blueprints from Shive-Hattery Architecture and further work has been proposed for the courthouse parking lot. Shive-Hattery emailed an amended agreement to Arganbright and County Auditor Marci McClellan for a topographic survey of the parking lot and site plan, approximated to cost about $9,000. The Board came to a consensus that November of this year would be the best time to hold a special election, and the amended agreement for the parking lot will be placed on next week’s agenda.
The Board also approved a noxious weeds resolution from County Engineer Josh Sebern, as well as the secondary road budget for the Iowa Department of Transportation and the department’s five year program. Becky Benton of State Street Insurance discussed the Iowa Municipal Works Compensation Association Insurance as well as 2020 property and liability insurance with the Board.