Wright County supervisors approve insurance renewal, $100,000 transfer to capital projects and join national opioid settlement

The Wright County Board of Supervisors approved several fiscal and program actions during its regular session, including accepting a property and casualty insurance renewal, transferring $100,000 to capital projects for courthouse work, approving interfund operating resolutions, and joining a national opioid settlement process.

The board voted to accept the IPAP and IMWCA property and casualty renewal for fiscal year 2025–2026 after an insurance-agency presentation that the county’s overall property coverage increased from $41,400,000 to $53,100,000 and the insurance committee recommended raising deductibles to $5,000 for buildings and $1,000 for equipment. The insurance committee also requested a reinspection of county buildings to update replacement-cost estimates. The motion to accept the renewal was moved by Cloos and seconded by Ellis; the motion carried.

Supervisors approved several budget and salary items for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, including certified salaries for corrections and secondary roads effective July 1 and Resolution 2025‑24 to appropriate money for fiscal year 2025–2026 by payroll (the resolution is recorded as duly passed). The board also approved Resolution 2025‑25 for interfund operating transfers; the roll call was recorded with ayes from Cloos, (Closch), Branson, Lewis and Ellis and no nays.

The board approved a $100,000 interfund transfer from general basic to capital projects (Resolution 2025‑26) to fund courthouse remodeling work including a west-side courthouse remodel, a new employee entrance, and a Recorder’s Office remodel. Buildings and Grounds Director Andy Eckhold told the board the funds would be used for specific remodeling needs.

The board approved a 28E agreement for mental health advocate services covering Humboldt, Pocahontas, Webster and Wright Counties; Kathy Erickson presented the agreement as the mental health advocate for those counties. The board voted to designate Amanda Meyer, Wright County auditor, to sign a participation form related to Sandoz and the national opioid litigation; the county attorney had reviewed the matter and recommended joining the settlement process. The transcript references a $99,000,000 national settlement figure; the county’s specific share or recovery amount was not specified.

Other business included a secondary roads update reporting storm damage and repairs, discussion of emergency declarations to access state funding, and an item about an interstate pipeline litigation (Ensemble Carbon Solutions) in which Shelby County is asking other counties whether they want to join a litigation coalition and share appellate costs. Supervisors discussed possibly using remaining Local Option Sales Tax (LITCF) funds if Wright County opts to join further appeals, but no final decision on that pipeline litigation contribution was recorded.

The board adjourned after recognizing county service milestones.