Jackson County supervisors approve funding agreements, permits and bids; certify sewer assessments

Jackson County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved multiple funding agreements, right-of-way and entrance permits, and vendor awards and certified delinquent Leisure Lake sewer assessments for tax collection.

The board unanimously approved a fiscal-year-2026 (FY26) Regional County Transportation Program (RCTP) funding agreement for the City of Miles; a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding agreement for a Bernard Road Portland cement concrete (PCC) overlay; several utility and residential entrance permits in Bellevue Township; awards for county fuel and liquefied petroleum (LP) supply bids; and a package of routine administrative items, including the approval of claims totaling $713,195.74 and the minutes from the June 10 meeting.

Why it matters: these routine approvals move local construction and maintenance projects forward, commit state and federal transportation funds to specific projects, and set the county’s immediate fiscal obligations as it closes the fiscal year.

Most important actions first: The board approved the FY26 RCTP funding agreement with the City of Miles after staff confirmed the agreement had been signed by the city mayor and clerk and recommended approval. The HSIP agreement will fund a concrete-paved-shoulder overlay on Bernard Road, including rumble strips and wider edge markings; staff said the funding agreement covers up to $300,000 and project check plans are due to the Iowa Department of Transportation on July 1.

The board also awarded the county’s annual fuel contract and the LP contract. For fuel (gasoline and diesel) members voted to accept the low bid from McGrew (also transcribed as Mulgrew in earlier meeting notes) with performance-bond protections required of the awarded vendor; the LP contract was awarded to AgVantage FS. County staff explained the bidder prices track a market rack price and the contractors’ bids reflect only their service margin. Supervisors discussed past vendor performance concerns but accepted staff’s recommendation that current performance-bond requirements and contract remedies mitigate risk.

Several permits for new residential service and shared-driveway entrances on Mill Creek Road in Bellevue Township were approved, including an electrical utility permit and a shared entrance for Matt Junker and Vadim Boyko. Staff said required sight-distance checks were satisfactory and a 911 address is needed for one of the entrances.

Administrative and finance items approved included the publication of claims ($713,195.74), and the board accepted a variety of payments included in that total (audit fees, voting machine purchases, squad car radio/camera equipment, paving payments, and courthouse air-conditioning work noted by staff). The board also approved the renewal of a Class C retail alcohol license with outdoor service for Bluff Lake effective July 18, 2025–July 17, 2026, and certified delinquent Leisure Lake sewer assessments for tax collection via Resolution 1122-06-17-1825.

Votes at a glance

- Table RCTP extension request for City of Submural until next week — Motion by Supervisor Mike Steinas; second by Supervisor Anne Flago; outcome: tabled (motion carries). - Approve FY26 RCTP funding agreement, City of Miles — Motion by Supervisor Nin; second by Supervisor Mike Steinas; outcome: approved (voice vote: all present voted aye). - Approve utility permit (electrical service) for Matt Junker, Mill Creek Road, Bellevue Township — Motion by Supervisor Nin; second by Supervisor Mike Steinas; outcome: approved (voice vote: all present voted aye). - Approve residential entrance (shared driveway) for Matt Junker and Vadim Boyko, Mill Creek Road, Bellevue Township — Motion by Supervisor Mike Steinas; second by Supervisor Nin; outcome: approved (voice vote: all present voted aye). - Approve HSIP funding agreement for Bernard Road PCC overlay (up to $300,000) — Motion by Supervisor Nin; second by Supervisor Mike Steinas; outcome: approved (voice vote: all present voted aye). - Award annual fuel contract (gasoline/diesel) to McGrew (low bidder) with performance-bond requirement — Motion by Supervisor Mike Steinas; second by Supervisor Nin; outcome: approved (voice vote: all present voted aye). - Award LP contract to AgVantage FS — Motion by Supervisor Nin; second by Supervisor Mike Steinas; outcome: approved (voice vote: all present voted aye). - Approve minutes of June 10, 2025 and authorize publication (Auditor Smith) — Motion by Supervisor Mike Steinas; second by Supervisor Nin; outcome: approved. - Approve claims listing and issue warrants, $713,195.74 — Motion by Supervisor Nin; second by Supervisor Mike Steinas; outcome: approved. Staff noted large items in the batch included roughly $65,000 for the state audit, $60,000 for voting machines, $49,000 for courthouse air conditioning work, and other project payments. - Accept and place on file Veterans Affairs Commission minutes (May 14, 2025) — Motion by Supervisor Mike Steinas; second; outcome: approved. - Renew Class C retail alcohol license with outdoor service for Bluff Lake (effective 07/18/2025–07/17/2026) — Motion by Supervisor Nen; second by Supervisor Mike Steinas; outcome: approved. - Adopt Resolution 1122-06-17-1825 certifying delinquent Leisure Lake sewer assessments to the county treasurer for property tax collection effective 06/17/2025 — Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

Context and clarifications: Several supervisors emphasized that past vendor-performance concerns exist for fuel contracts but that the county now requires performance bonds for awarded vendors. On the RCTP extension request for the City of Submural (a separate agenda item), supervisors said staff had not received adequate explanation from the city and moved to table that request pending further justification.

What’s next: The board scheduled follow-up on the tabled RCTP extension at its next meeting; staff also noted project planning and plan submittals are underway for FY26 projects with looming DOT deadlines.

Ending: The board finished its business and adjourned the meeting.