Wright County Board approves insurance plan, appointments and budget amendment; sets hearings

Wright County supervisors approved a series of administrative actions and resolutions during a regular meeting, including a county health insurance renewal, appointments to county and township positions, a budget amendment and multiple public hearing dates.

The board voted to continue the county's health insurance with ISAC Plan 11C, a preferred-provider option, following a recommendation from Bob Towers of Paradigm Benefits. The board approved the deputy auditor appointment of Deb Nesheim, granted a liquor license pending dram shop approval for 9 and Dine in Eagle Grove, and set a proposed property tax levy hearing for April 7, 2025, at 9 a.m. The board also approved a budget amendment that reduced expenses and increased revenues for the current fiscal year.

The actions matter because they set administrative and fiscal direction for county operations ahead of the new fiscal year. Selecting an insurance plan and adopting a budget amendment affect county payroll and benefits costs; scheduling hearings establishes the formal timeline for public comment on property taxes and local road vacations.

Most votes were noncontroversial and carried unanimously. The board approved: continuing county coverage under ISAC Plan 11C with Assured Partners for fiscal year 2026; appointment of Deb Nesheim as deputy county auditor; a liquor license pending dram shop approval for 9 and Dine in Eagle Grove; a $1,500 contribution recommendation to the Belmont Area Arts Center event; appointment of Corey Anderson to the Wolstock Township trustee vacancy; Resolution 2025-10 adopting a compensation schedule with modest salary adjustments for elected officials; Resolution 2025-11 establishing an integrated roadside vegetation management plan to make the county eligible for the Living Roadside Trust Fund; and Resolution 2025-12 to set a public hearing on vacating Youngblood Avenue for March 17 at 9:30 a.m. The board also approved a budget amendment (resolution number noted in the minutes as 2025-09) that reduced total expenses by $533,518 and increased revenues by $377,370 for the current fiscal year.

Board members present and recorded in the meeting exchanges included supervisors who responded in roll calls as Glenn, Betty, Ashley, Dean and Lynn; motions and seconds were moved by various supervisors (motions and seconders are recorded in the minutes). County staff recorded in the meeting included Amanda Meyer, Wright County auditor; Adam Clemens, Wright County engineer; and Eric Rechter, Wright County conservation director. Paradigm Benefits consultant Bob Towers presented the insurance recommendation.

The board set the formal property tax-levy hearing for April 7, 2025, at 9 a.m. and noted that a separate public hearing on the budget will follow. Separately, the board approved setting a public hearing to consider vacating Youngblood Avenue on March 17, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.; certified notices will be sent to adjacent landowners, Iowa DOT and utilities.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - County health insurance: Motion to proceed with ISAC Plan 11C with Assured Partners for FY2026 — outcome: approved. - Deputy auditor appointment: Motion to approve appointment of Deb Nesheim as deputy auditor — outcome: approved. - Liquor license: Motion to approve liquor license for 9 and Dine in Eagle Grove, pending dram shop approval — outcome: approved. - Belmont Area Arts Center: Recommendation of $1,500 contribution for event water/traffic control costs — outcome: approved. - Wolstock Township trustee: Motion to appoint Corey Anderson to fill vacancy — outcome: approved. - Resolution 2025-10 (compensation schedule): Motion to approve salary adjustments for elected officials effective 07/01/2025 — outcome: approved. - Resolution 2025-11 (integrated roadside vegetation plan): Motion to approve to make county eligible for Living Roadside Trust Fund — outcome: approved. - Resolution 2025-12 (road vacation public hearing): Motion to set hearing March 17, 2025 at 09:30 — outcome: approved. - Budget amendment (resolution cited in minutes as 2025-09): Motion to approve budget amendment reducing expenses by $533,518 and increasing revenues by $377,370 — outcome: approved.

The board closed routine business and moved to other agenda items. Several items (minutes approval, claims and an open forum presentation by the conservation director) were recorded as read and approved without extended debate. The board adjourned after completing the published agenda items.

The minutes show these items will proceed to the next steps for public notice and required administrative follow-up.