Winnebago County secondary roads staff told the Board of Supervisors the county's new roads shop project closed out with an estimated net departmental cost of about $422,000 and asked the board to allow temporary occupancy while a city alley vacation is completed.

The county estimated total project receipts and expenses as follows: $1.5 million initial budget (about $800,000 from the secondary road fund and $700,000 from property sales); project costs itemized as $92,000 in land acquisition, $279,000 in site work, $860,000 for the shop building construction, and $94,000 for a salt shed. Sale of related properties totaled about $905,000, leaving an estimated net cost to the department of $422,000, Scott, a county secondary roads staff member, said.

The net cost reflected in-house work and contractor payments, Scott said, and the project returned several former county properties to the tax rolls while providing an energy-efficient facility that allows equipment to be stored indoors and material to be stockpiled on-site. "We now have a facility that's tailored to us and at a cost that I think is pretty reasonable," Scott said.

Because a parcel issue remains'the city must vacate an alley that runs through one of the bought buildings'the board approved a temporary occupancy agreement for the county shop at 135 South Central Street in Forest City so the buyer can occupy the space while the city completes the vacate procedure. "We have to allow them to be able to use it in the meantime," a supervisor said during discussion. The board voted to approve the temporary occupancy agreement.

The board also approved final payment and release of retainage for the electrical portion of the storage/shop project. The retainage payment to Grow Electric was listed at $1,494. "For projects that are bid through the public process, they're all supposed to have retainage," Scott said; the board approved the final payment.

Roads staff gave additional operational updates: the county acquired a stainless-steel brine machine from the Iowa Department of Transportation at scrap price, retrofitted pumps and expects increased brine output (from about 300 gallons to 1,000 gallons per batch), and reported that seasonal equipment (mowers and snow gear) is being readied. The board discussed convenience and operational efficiencies from on-site fuel and consolidated facilities.

Finance and next steps: supervisors approved the temporary occupancy agreement and final contractor payment during the meeting and directed staff to proceed with closing out outstanding items, including final billing and working with the city to vacate the alley required to clear title.

The county did not provide final, audited project closeout documents at the meeting; staff said outstanding contractor invoices and a title defect remain to be resolved.