The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in session Thursday.
The Board approved renewing the county health insurance plan, with a 3% increase, and to move $50,000 from an account specifically to help fund health insurance for the renewed plan. They also heard from the Hungry Canyons Alliance, a group that helps fund measures to prevent river bed degradation where waterways pass under roadways.
The Board then approved a temporary easement for a new bridge replacement project, and final payment for an older bridge project. They then heard an extensive update on the condition of the Secondary Roads Department from County Engineer Josh Sebern. Sebern talked about the number of shops and vehicles the department has, and what the functions of them were. He also talked about some focus areas that he would like to do work on.
The Board then heard an update from Public and Environmental Health, along with Transfer Station Director Jotham Arber about the American Rescue Plan Act funds, and local assistance and tribal consistency funds.They then approved a change order to replace some wiring for exterior cameras on the Law Enforcement Center, substantial completions to seven companies and retainage releases to four companies pertaining to the same project.
The Board then went into a budget work session. A motion to approve a 5% increase in contribution of funds to the Guthrie County Library Association was denied by a vote, and a motion to approve a 3% increase was approved. The Board then denied a motion to approve $30,000 in contributions to the Guthrie County Fairgrounds and $8,000 to Guthrie County 4-H in a 1-4 vote, with Supervisor JD Kuster as the only one to vote yes. A motion to approve a contribution of $20,000 for Guthrie County Fairgrounds was approved 4-1, with Kuster being the one to vote no, and a motion to approve $8,000 to 4-H was approved unanimously. The Board then approved the recommended contributions to Region XII Council of Governments, Elderbridge Agency on Aging and Western Iowa Tourism as presented.