The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday.

The meeting began with discussion and no action on a resolution of support for a prisoner-built housing program organized by Iowa Prison Industries and the Iowa Association of Councils of Governments. Region XII Council of Governments Executive Director Rick Hunsaker explained how this program could bring modular homes to Guthrie County. The Board may take action on the resolution next week.

Next, Public Health Director Jotham Arber explained that Public Health received a $6,000 grant from the state last year that they gave to Panora Emergency Medical Services to send a paramedic to yearlong training. Arber told the Board he sent information to the state informing them of the training timeline which they approved, but now they are asking for the $6,000 back until the training is completed and then they will reimburse Public Health. Arber said they have enough funds in their budget to send the $6,000 back.

Finally, the Board discussed the Public Health and Environmental Health fiscal year 2020 budgets. The Public Health budget did not include a raise for staff, and Arber said his goal is to decrease the department’s expenses by 2% each year over the next five years. The Board accepted the Budgets, and they approved a purchase of three trucks for the Transfer Station.