Winneshiek County supervisors hear regional housing update, approve fuel contract and postpone Highway 52 sale hearing

Winneshiek County supervisors met and heard a regional housing trust fund update, voted to award county fuel and propane bids to Ag Vantage FS, approved a Trees for Kids grant agreement with the state and rescheduled a public hearing on the sale of the Highway 52 property for Oct. 27.

Chris Tundall, who presented the housing trust fund update, told the board the program spent about $263,022.10 in the county this year and that “since 2010 it's been about a little over $5,000,000 spent here in the county” through the trust fund. He said the fund is pursuing further Federal Home Loan Bank support and expects to seek a 25% local match for 2026. Tundall also described plans to pursue a USDA revolving loan-style program to support rural water and repair projects across the five-county region he named during the presentation: Alakee, Winneshiek, Howard, Clayton and Fayette.

Supervisor discussion and staff reports County Engineer Mike (introduced during the meeting as the county engineer) recommended selecting Ag Vantage/Advantage for diesel and propane supply, noting the diesel price was quoted “1 cent above the rack price” and that the vendor’s propane pricing tied with another bidder but consolidates billing. The board moved and approved contracting with Ag Vantage FS of Waverly, Iowa (voice vote; motion recorded as carrying unanimously).

Engineer's updates included multiple road and bridge projects: culvert installations are underway, an out-of-seal project on B 32 was completed, and Bridge 307 is slated for letting in December 2025 pending DOT scheduling. Supervisors and staff discussed county striping and fog-line maintenance; staff cited a centerline striping bid of roughly $150,000 and additional fog-line work that could bring the total nearer to $190,000–$200,000 depending on coverage and frequency. The board weighed reflectivity requirements from DOT, annual versus multi-year schedules and the recurring cost to the county.

Grants and county programs The board approved a Trees for Kids grant agreement administered by the conservation department and the state Department of Natural Resources. The program will bring fifth graders to plant trees on the courthouse lawn; supervisors noted the planting will be at no cost to the county and scheduled the event for Oct. 10.

Public hearing on Highway 52 property Supervisors spent extensive time discussing strategy for a planned public hearing on selling a county-owned parcel along Highway 52. The discussion covered whether to set a minimum bid, options to reopen bidding, the effect of making bids public after a hearing, and whether to hold a closed session to discuss valuation. After debate, a motion to reschedule the public hearing to Oct. 27 carried unanimously. Board members directed staff to arrange a closed session and follow-up work sessions with involved parties ahead of the rescheduled hearing.

Other items Committee reports included updates on Northeast Iowa Community Action and work to coordinate LAHEAP (home heating assistance) and regional behavioral health funding; a supervisor warned that some behavioral health providers are delivering services but facing Medicaid payment delays. Supervisors also raised facility concerns — intermittent phone problems in the Treasurer’s Office, pending inspection of courthouse roof shingles and no new update on a proposed solar project for the community building.

Votes at a glance • Consent agenda — approved (voice vote; passed unanimously). Provenance: timeline SEG 380–391. • Fuel/propane contract — Ag Vantage FS recommended and approved for county diesel and propane supply (voice vote; recorded as carried unanimously). Provenance: timeline SEG 451–476. • Trees for Kids grant agreement (DNR) — approved (voice vote; passed unanimously). Provenance: timeline SEG 1056–1096. • Public hearing on sale of Highway 52 property — motion to reschedule the public hearing to Oct. 27 approved (voice vote; passed unanimously). Provenance: timeline SEG 1340–1659.

The board adjourned after routine closing items. The supervisors said they will meet in follow-up work sessions and expect a closed session to address valuation and procedural details before the Oct. 27 public hearing on the Highway 52 parcel.