Board of supervisors

Supervisors discuss past drainage issues

Published by editor on Wed, 03/02/2022 - 6:49am

During the Monday meeting of the Wright County Board of Supervisors, they dealt with a few drainage issues from days gone by. They moved to correct a discrepancy that county drainage clerk Courtney Morris found in a past drainage action. During an October hearing regarding work to DD #107, there was a verbal motion made that included a different assessment percentage than was referred to on a report. No landowners were in attendance at the hearing and no one had objected but the board moved to correct the numbers for the record.

Supervisors hear from Trails Committee

Published by editor on Wed, 02/23/2022 - 8:38am

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.

Supervisors hold hearing on property tax

Published by editor on Wed, 02/09/2022 - 9:08am

On Monday, the Wright County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on Maximum Property Tax Dollars. In the proposed plan, there would be increases in tax dollars requested in the general services fund (7.36% increase) and in the rural services fund (15.29% increase). A couple county residents were present to comment and ask questions. Someone noted that a 15% property tax increase is “ridiculous.”

Supervisors approve entering into $1.425 million loan for land purchase

Published by editor on Tue, 02/01/2022 - 5:38pm

At the Monday morning meeting of the Wright County Board of Supervisors, the group reviewed and discussed a land purchase agreement around Cornelia and Elm lakes. The purchase would include 118 acres in section 16 of Grant Township plus 82 acres around the lakes to be used for wetland mitigation and other conservation efforts. This would involve closing two ag drainage wells and other lake restoration efforts to reduce sediment going into Lake Cornelia.

Supervisors set hearing for proposed property tax levy

Published by editor on Wed, 01/26/2022 - 7:03am

At the Monday Wright County Board of Supervisors meeting, the board set a public hearing for February 7 for the proposed property tax levy. By state law, if there is over a 2% increase in the proposed tax levy, a public hearing must be held. In the proposed plan, there would be increases in tax dollars requested in the general services fund (7.36% increase) and in rural services fund (15.29% increase). In the explanation of increases, the public hearing notice says, “Inflation of 7% for 2021 and complying with SF342 Back the Blue legislation.

175 new COVID cases since last week

Published by editor on Wed, 01/12/2022 - 7:02am

At the Wright County Supervisors meeting on Monday, County Public Health Director Sandy McGrath noted that the county saw 175 new COVID cases in the past week and now totals 3,158. The new cases more than doubled from the previous week. “When we more than double numbers, we’re in crisis mode. And we now run the risk of having to shut things down,” McGrath said. She said that the Omicron variant is taking over from Delta. She again implored people to get vaccinated and boosted.

Supervisors retain ISG for pipeline inspections

Published by editor on Wed, 10/13/2021 - 6:27am

At the Wright County Board of Supervisors meeting, Public Health’s Sandy McGrath reported 63 new COVID cases in the county since last week, putting the overall number at 2,396. She added that another Wright County resident, age 31, died from COVID complications over the weekend. She noted that the county vaccination rate is very slowly climbing and is at 51.2%. McGrath said that there still has not been approval for booster doses for the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines, though boosts are available for certain groups who received the Pfizer vaccine.

Supervisors accept bid for county farm lease

Published by editor on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 8:38am

At the Monday meeting of the Wright County Board of Supervisors, the group opened the bids for the county farm. They had received seven bids for the 262-acre piece of land for a 2-year lease period. The high bid was from Troy and Heidi Watne for $351/acre. The board decided to accept that bid. 

Supervisors hear about pipeline inspection

Published by editor on Wed, 09/15/2021 - 7:24am

At the weekly meeting of the Wright County Board of Supervisors, they listened to a presentation by Evan De Val of ISG Engineering about using the company as inspectors and a go-to resource for the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline project. He explained that because liquified carbon dioxide is considered a hazardous material in the state of Iowa, inspection is required, which is the responsibility of the county. The inspection part involves updating landowners regarding anything being impacted by the pipeline, including drainage and soil issues.

Supervisors talk COVID fund priorities

Published by editor on Wed, 08/18/2021 - 6:14am

At their Monday morning meeting, the Wright County Board of Supervisors discussed their priorities for COVID relief money received through the American Rescue Plan. The county will get $2.4 million total, and has already received half of that. (Individual towns in the county are also receiving separate funds).

Wright County Monitor

P.O. Box 153
Clarion, IA 50525
Phone: 515-532-2871
Email: news@wrightcountymonitor.com

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