The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors voted to continue their financial contribution to Midwest Partnership Economic Development during its regular meeting Tuesday.

Midwest Partnership Executive Director Sarah Gomez discussed the advantages of the county using their services over having its own economic development department, saying that with so many communities on the fringe of the county border, it would be difficult to combine the cities on the lines. She also mentioned the business prospect leads the organization receives from the Greater Des Moines Partnership were invaluable and only one of the benefits that they receive from being part of that organization.

Lance Levis of the Guthrie County Airport Authority then met with the Supervisors to review the runway improvement project. He said the Federal Aviation Administration did a successful flight check of instrument approaches and runway lighting on Thursday. He also discussed future projects at the airport including exterior lighting and security system installation.

County Engineer Josh Sebern submitted final construction plans for a bridge project east of Yale. Sebern said the new bridge will cost $734,000, but will be paid for entirely through swap funds with the Iowa Department of Transportation. He’s expecting to begin the project in May, with the project to last just over two months.

Finally, the Supervisors appointed Ted Clapper to the County Zoning Board of Adjustment for a five-year term. The Board then worked on the fiscal year 2022 budget, and approved the publishing of notice for the public hearing for the maximum property tax levy on March 4th at 10 a.m. at the Guthrie County Courthouse Boardroom.