May 21, 2009 - The Wright County Board of Supervisors have decided to let the Secondary Roads Department do their own mowing with leased equipment for at least the next three years.

Following a public hearing, which is required by Iowa code for this type of decision, the Board voted to sign a lease agreement with Diamond Mowers of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For $13,020 annually for three years, the county will lease both a new 7130 John Deere four-wheel drive tractor and a 120 foot twin rotary mower (back and side). It will include a three year parts and labor warranty on both units, with Wright County having the opportunity to purchase the equipment any time during the lease. At the end of the lease period, the county can buy it out or enter into a new lease with new equipment.

"The company does business throughout the Midwest," said Waid. "Their mowers are a good piece of equipment, and I'm very satisfied with what they do."

Jim Dahlgren has been maintaining the 176 total miles of pavement roadsides for the county, receiving just under $25,000 total last year for four mowings. "Sometimes it might be just three times, it depends a lot on the weather," said Waid. "We will try for four, but there will have to be several different things factored in to ultimately determine that." The equipment will be rotated around among the three zones within the county to keep it busy, and Waid feels it will also give them the ability to spend some time with weed control in trouble spots towards Fall. When asked by the Board, Waid said he plans to do this with existing employees and not a seasonal person.

The Board seemed to be in agreement that they liked what Waid was proposing, with Supervisor Myron Amdahl feeling that they should try it for at least three years and the lease agreement was accepted.

In separate conference calls with other county supervisors, the Board handled some joint drainage district matters.

Webster County is the lead county for DD#11-13, with the issue being the adjoining landowners' desire to extend the proposed cleanout of the ditch and possibly go all the way to the river in the Northwest quarter of Section eight in Troy Township. Option one, for $104,000, was presented and recommended by McClure Engineering. A public hearing was set for Tuesday, June 30 at 11 a.m. at the Webster County Courthouse in Fort Dodge. The Wright County Supervisors will be represented at that hearing.

Wright County was in control in a call with the Franklin County Board. Lance Rossow, a Senior Engineering Technician with Mer Engineering of Fort Dodge, presented the report for DD# 181-9, lateral two.

Supervisor Larry Maasdam helped out with his laser for the engineer's report. It is a very flat area that's involved, with the existing tile not very deep.

According to Rossow, there were some blowouts found. Because of that, he recommended option one should be done regardless of whatever else is decided. That would repair all of the blowouts. Option two would be to re-lay the tile where it is, which means it would still be only one foot below ground level. While it is more cost effective, it may not be the right way to go. Option three would then be to take it deeper, which appears to be the best way but is also the most expensive.

"I like option three," said Maasdam. "You need to do it the right way." Drainage Clerk Deb Lukes pointed out that just over $43,000 in FEMA funds have already been approved for this project.

A public hearing was set for Monday, June 29 at 10 a.m. at the Wright County Courthouse. The Franklin Board will join in again via a conference call.

In other action the Board-

-heard a brief presentation from Bob Watson of Decorah on what the effects are on health from industrial/confinement facilities odor emissions. He said that there are two laws available to the county to enforce, and two laws that they can require the DNR to enforce. He also touched on the recent legislation concerning manure management on frozen ground. The Board will have the county attorney review the information;

-amended the Iowa DOT budget, for Secondary Roads, for FY2009;

-heard from Waid that the PCC paving of C-70 will start right after the Memorial Day holiday;

-approved the 2009 levies on Wright County drainage districts;

-approved a cigarette permit for Casey's General Store in Dows.