Worth County supervisors approve routine drainage projects, annexation, interfund transfers and set March 31 water-rate hearing

The Worth County Board of Supervisors approved multiple routine actions and set a public hearing on water and wastewater rate performance during its meeting.

The board approved drainage-related motions including reclassification items and claims, authorized a work order for drainage district DD46, and approved a bottleneck survey and box culvert work extending to the state line. The supervisors also approved an annexation request described in the record as "Boltman 9," renewed a mowing arrangement for building grounds, granted a liquor-license item for "Diamond Joe" to operate in the welcome center, and approved minutes and claims for payment. The board voted to adopt two interfund-transfer resolutions and set a public hearing on water and wastewater rates for March 31 at 9:00 and 9:15 a.m. The board also appointed Carrie to a planning-and-zoning vacancy.

Why it matters: The actions cover routine county operations—maintenance, drainage work, small capital or contract approvals and bookkeeping transfers—that affect county maintenance budgets, local land-use status and the schedule for a forthcoming rate-review hearing that will directly affect water and wastewater customers.

Most votes were taken by voice and recorded as "aye"; board members named on the record during roll calls included Stone, Snavey and Lowburn. The meeting record shows no recorded dissents on the listed motions.

Votes at a glance

- DD26 reclassification: motion approved by voice vote (recorded as aye). Motion text: "motion to approve DD26 reclass." (Transcript: voice vote.)

- Annexation (described in minutes as "Boltman 9"): motion approved by voice vote. Motion text: "motion to approve annexation (Boltman 9)." (Transcript: voice vote.)

- Bottleneck survey and DD46 clean-out / I-35 box culvert to the state line: motion approved by voice vote. Motion text: "motion to approve the bottleneck survey DD46 clean out I-35 box culvert to the state line." (Transcript: voice vote.)

- Drainage claims (including DD14 first payment): motion approved by voice vote. Motion text: "motion to approve the drainage claims." (Transcript: voice vote.)

- Work order for DD46: motion approved by voice vote. Motion text: "motion to approve the work order for DD46." (Transcript: voice vote.)

- Approval of minutes and general claims: motions approved by voice votes.

- Liquor license: "Diamond Joe" license for the welcome center — motion approved by voice vote. Motion text as recorded: "motion to approve Diamond Joe in the welcome center with the licenses." (Transcript: voice vote.)

- Resolution 2025-11 (interfund transfer): motion approved by roll call/voice (aye recorded). Motion text: "motion to approve 2025-11 interfund transfer." (Transcript: motion, second, aye votes recorded.)

- Resolution 2025-12 (county fund transfer): motion approved by voice vote. Motion text: "motion to approve 2025-12 (canard) fund transfer." (Transcript: motion and aye votes recorded.)

- Mowing/grounds maintenance arrangement (authorize contractor to continue mowing; obtain written bid/insurance): motion approved by voice vote. Motion text: "motion to continue mowing and get something in writing (price/insurance)." (Transcript: motion and aye votes recorded.)

- Planning and zoning appointment (appoint Carrie): motion approved by voice vote. Motion text: "motion to appoint Carrie [to planning and zoning]." (Transcript: motion and aye votes recorded.)

- Public hearing: set date and times for water and wastewater rate-performance public hearing for March 31 at 9:00 and 9:15 a.m.; motion approved by voice vote. Motion text: "motion to set public hearing date for March 31 at 9:00 and 9:15 a.m." (Transcript: motion and aye votes recorded.)

Other discussion and staff reports

- Building maintenance: supervisors noted the courthouse elevator had been serviced and lighting/flashing indicators adjusted; no formal action was required.

- Conservation facility remodel: staff said they would meet with code partners and review fire-code implications; no formal action was taken.

- Staff updates: a staff member identified as Melissa reported she was attending a TAP meeting at NICOG and promoted an upcoming North Iowa Housing Conference at Music Man Square in Mason City; she said registrations were open through April 15.

- Scheduling and administrative details: supervisors discussed planning-and-zoning applicant distribution among districts and the recommendation to keep the commission size at five members.

What the board directed or left for follow-up

- Staff was asked to obtain a written bid and proof of insurance from the mowing contractor and to provide a price for weekly mowing this season.

- Staff were to prepare a letter and public-notice materials for the customers affected by the water and wastewater rate review in addition to publishing notice in the paper.

Meeting context

The meeting record shows brief discussion on most items and a sequence of routine approvals. Several items were approved after motions and seconds with voice votes recorded as "aye." A small number of agenda items—building maintenance follow-ups, the conservation facility remodel and the planned TAP/ housing events—were informational and left for staff follow-up. No contested votes or substantive policy debates are recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.

Ending

The supervisors recessed for a separate 10:00 a.m. public hearing and later moved to adjourn after completing the routine agenda items. The record shows unanimous voice approvals for the motions listed above with no recorded objections in the supplied excerpt.