The Dallas County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday.
At the meeting, the Board approved payroll change notices from the home health department and county attorney’s office.
The special election results from last week were then canvassed, with Proposition A to build a new jail and law enforcement center failing to pass with a super majority of 60 percent Yes votes. Marc DeLong asked the Board what their “backup plan” is now that the measure failed, for the third time. Board Chairman Brad Golightly says he doesn’t know that there’s a definite plan in place as they will continue to send prisoners to Polk County. Supervisor Mark Hanson says there’s likely half a dozen options left, though they haven’t really talked about them. He said each referendum attempt was different, the first two also including the administrative building option. Hanson noted that Perry supported the issue, while Adel did not despite it being in their town. He says there are a number of choices but he feels the site that was selected and proposed is still a good and solid location for the facility. DeLong said he attended the last meeting when the second bond referendum failed and the same issues were noted by the Supervisors. He said some of the concerns that were expressed then were address with this election, though it still failed. DeLong suggested it’s time to look at alternatives that will make more sense to the voters. Supervisor Kim Chapman says he feels they have done a good job of educating the public on the issue. DeLong said he doesn’t understand the need for a new facility and feels the County should look at making improvements and creating more space at buildings that currently exist. He said the only reason to have a special election is to try and pass something that won’t get approval during a general election and while they tried to get the Yes voters out, it didn’t work. DeLong says he wants the County to keep the facility in the City of Adel and see the current building expanded up and out from where it is now. Chapman says he was not contacted by anyone prior to the election saying they didn’t understand the issue or had questions. He said they may have to look at short term solutions in the mean time until a long term solution is determined. The next time the Board could bring the issue back to the voters is in six months.
A resolution to abate mobile home taxes was then discussed. County Treasurer Mitch Hambleton says the three mobile homes on the list need to be removed. The Board approved the abatements as presented.
A confidential courthouse security plan was then discussed. County Attorney Wayne Reisetter says this is in regards to a recommendation from the Courthouse Security committee, based on guidelines from the judicial branch for having specific security on certain confidential records. The resolution was approved as presented.
The 21st change order for the human services campus renovation project was then approved. This comes at an additional cost of $4,958 to furnish and install a new roof hatch on an office portion of the building, along with patching back existing roofing. The sixth pay application for the project was also approved in the amount of $327,658 to Larson and Larson Construction.
The Supervisors then explored flooring options for the human services campus entrance. As was discussed last week, the Board is looking at options of polished concrete, terrazzo tile and porcelain tile. Following a discussion with the architect, the Board chose to go with a stained and polished concrete floor.
Redesign of the campus’s conference room was then discussed. Architect Jerry Purdy says the proposed plan includes reworking the restrooms, adding partitians, ceiling grids and lights. Options will be discussed again at next week’s meeting.
Facilities Director Eric Rose then said he is working on the request for proposals for custodial services at the human resources campus. The Supervisors stated they want to be able to supply the necessary equipment and cleaning products themselves, rather than the contracted company bringing in their own. Rose then shared some drainage ideas for the campus with the Board. He recommends adding more pipe to the drainage basin and going out for bid to be able to do so. The Supervisors encouraged Rose to go ahead and obtain bids for the project.