Worth County supervisors approve ditch work, tile repair, hires and annual noxious-weed resolution

Worth County Board of Supervisors — At a regular meeting, supervisors approved a series of routine and project-specific items including drainage and ditch work, a 200-foot tile repair, temporary hires for secondary roads and the county's annual resolution for destruction of noxious weeds.

The supervisors voted to approve pay request No. 3 for ongoing work, authorized trial work for a local contractor identified as Frank Salvatore to perform roadside spraying and ditch maintenance, agreed to engage contractors to clean out D D 3 Lat 8 (a short but willow-choked ditch that may cross state land), approved a 200-foot tile repair at D20 3 Lot 9, accepted pending claims, and approved two seasonal secondary-roads hires and a liquor license for a business listed as CBA. The board also adopted the county's 2025 resolution for destruction of noxious weeds by roll call.

Why it matters: The actions authorize spending and on-the-ground work affecting rural property owners, county roadways and drainage infrastructure. Some projects discussed cross state or federal lands and will require state Department of Natural Resources permitting or other clearance before work can begin.

Most urgent approvals and contractor decisions

Supervisors began substantive business by approving pay request No. 3 for ongoing roadwork. Following discussion about several ditches and line items, a motion to approve pay request No. 3 passed on a voice vote.

The board approved allowing contractor Frank Salvatore to perform roadside spraying and ditch maintenance on a trial basis. Supervisors and attendees discussed competing bids and prior contracts; one participant said similar work elsewhere ran about a third higher than quoted by other counties. Supervisors voted to give Salvatore a chance to perform the work.

D D 3 Lat 8 and permitting

Supervisors discussed D D 3 Lat 8, a short ditch that several speakers said is largely filled with willows and, for part of its length, runs into state-managed land. Board members discussed past work in the area, including a 2019 effort that drew DNR attention because contractors entered sensitive areas. Supervisors voted to engage contractors and proceed with the permitting process so the ditch can be cleaned out once required DNR approvals are in place.

Tile repair

The board approved a repair to a frequently failing 12-inch tile at D20 3 Lot 9. A remote participant identified as Jason (Petersburg) reported repeated breaks at the shallow tile and recommended replacing about 200 feet. The board moved and approved immediate tile work; a local contractor indicated they could begin promptly.

Personnel, claims and licenses

Supervisors approved pending claims and voted to hire two seasonal secondary-roads employees (named in the minutes as Randy Majeski and Gary Brunson). The board also approved a liquor-license application for a business identified as CBA.

Noxious-weed resolution

The board adopted the 2025 destruction-of-noxious-weeds resolution for the 2025 crop year; a supervisor said the resolution was unchanged from the prior year. The adoption was recorded by roll call with supervisors answering in the affirmative.

Process and next steps

Multiple items discussed will require external permits or coordination. Board members discussed the need to follow state permitting processes (participants referenced the DNR and state-level requirements) and noted that state or federal agencies sometimes direct required mitigation while not covering costs. For the D D 3 Lat 8 cleanup, supervisors said the next step is to obtain the necessary permits and surveys before work begins.

Votes at a glance

- Pay request No. 3: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Trial contract/authorization for Frank Salvatore (roadside spraying/ditch maintenance): approved (voice vote; tally not specified). Discussion noted a $24,000 quote figure for one line item and $10,200 for a separate scope, with the $24,000 figure referenced by a meeting participant. - Engage contractors and begin permitting for D D 3 Lat 8 cleanup: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). Supervisors discussed prior DNR interactions and the need for permits. - D20 3 Lot 9 tile repair (approx. 200 feet of tile): approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Pending claims: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Seasonal hires for secondary roads (Randy Majeski and Gary Brunson): approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Liquor license for CBA: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - 2025 resolution for destruction of noxious weeds (2025 crop year): adopted by roll call (recorded affirmatives noted in minutes).

Meeting context and constraints

Speakers discussed project details on-site (ditches, willows, beaver dams) and raised the need for surveys and permits before heavy equipment enters state or federal land. Contractors and county staff noted prior incidents where work drew DNR scrutiny; supervisors emphasized following permitting steps so work can proceed without questions.

The board moved through the agenda with several brief votes and adjourned after routine departmental reports and scheduling notes.

Ending

Supervisors scheduled follow-up steps tied to permitting, surveys and contractor coordination for the drainage and tile projects. No dollar-authorization totals beyond line-item mentions were recorded in the minutes; several participants noted larger contracts in neighboring counties as context for pricing.