Supervisors hear from Trails Committee

At the Wright County Board of Supervisors meeting held on Tuesday, Raejean Chapman gave an update from the Wright County Trails Committee. She discussed the goal to extend the trail around Belmond and Lake Cornelia through the rest of the county and also connect to trails from Mason City. The committee has received some grants, including $35,000 from the Jacobson Foundation. They have also started soliciting funds. Chapman noted that acquiring land for the trail is the biggest obstacle. While County Conservation owns some of the county’s abandoned rail lines that can be used for the trail, gaining access to farmland will likely prove more difficult.  She added that this is proving to be a long, intensive process but that they are making positive strides.

Mickie Shubin with Community and Family Resources (CFR) spoke to the board to update them on their programs and request funding again.  CFR assists individuals, families, and communities to achieve healthy behavior and lifestyle through advocacy, prevention, and treatment of substance abuse, problem gambling, and mental illness. Shubin spoke about programs such as their opioid task force and different treatments. She noted that the numbers served in Wright County look a little low due to COVID. She added those with substance abuse issues don’t utilize telehealth services as much. Shubin said that they continue to ask for funding as their main grant is somewhat restrictive on some programs that they can offer. She ultimately requested the board continue their funding at a level of $7,200.

In other board business, they approved liquor licenses for Nine and Dine in Eagle Grove and Oakridge Recreation in Goldfield. The board signed a resolution to enact a 5-ton embargo if roads get bad during spring thaw. There was no COVID update this week as Sandy McGrath was unavailable.