Jefferson County supervisors approve contractor prepayment, road and bridge grants, opioid‑fund reimbursement and multiple hires

The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 10 approved a series of routine and project‑specific actions, including a $15,000 materials prepayment for courthouse south‑door work, grant and funding agreements for road and bridge projects, use of opioid‑settlement funds to reimburse 911 for handheld radios, and personnel hires for county emergency and corrections services.

In one of the meeting’s first substantive items, the board voted to authorize a $15,000 upfront payment to a contractor to secure materials for work on the courthouse south door. County staff and a contractor representative described plans to deliver most materials on site and begin work quickly; supervisors noted concerns about paying before completion but approved a motion to issue the check to hold materials. The board conducted this action by voice vote; the motion was approved with no recorded roll‑call tally.

The board also approved use of federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds and local matches to move the Libertyville Road project forward. Staff estimated the total project cost in the roughly $4.9 million range and said the package mixes STBG, state traffic safety improvement grants, and farm‑to‑market funds. Supervisors voted to approve the funding agreement and related project actions.

A separate bridge funding agreement for Brass Tree Avenue — paid from dedicated bridge money that comes from the road‑use tax fund and passes through federal requirements — was approved. Staff said both the Brass Tree Avenue and another bridge project will be let on Jan. 21 and that contractors doing minor clearing in March would not be charged working days to encourage early work before seasonal restrictions.

On public‑safety spending, the board approved reimbursing the Jefferson County 9‑1‑1 board $20,000 from opioid‑settlement funds for the purchase of six all‑band handheld radios. County counsel and staff advised that state rules require roughly 75% of opioid funds be used for direct prevention/remediation but allow up to 25% for related items; the board concluded the radios fit within allowable uses. The total invoice for the radios was stated in the packet as $39,709.26; the motion authorized a $20,000 opioid‑fund reimbursement and asked staff to code the remainder across budgets as appropriate.

The board approved hiring Cody Pearson as a full‑time EMT for the Jefferson County ambulance service at $18 per hour, effective Nov. 30, and approved a resolution to hire a correctional partner (Jacob Smith) for the sheriff’s office. Both personnel actions were approved by voice vote.

Other business adopted by the supervisors included: payment of an invoice (invoice #39386) for an NVR (security camera recorder) upgrade; approval of a habitat maintenance agreement with the Iowa DNR and local conservation staff to manage a wildlife property (annual reports required through July 30, 2035); and a motion to set a public hearing on Nov. 24 at 9:00 a.m. to consider assignment of a county‑acquired tax‑sale property.

Two non‑routine items were discussed but not finalized. Supervisors asked for more time to review a chief‑elected‑official shared‑liability agreement related to a new Eastern Iowa Workforce Development Board region, citing concerns about a possible county liability share if funds were disallowed; that matter was tabled for further review. Similarly, a proposed month‑to‑month rent arrangement to allow a private contractor (Leonard Enterprise) to occupy county space used by environmental health was discussed at length — including tax and IPERS implications — and officials said they would draft lease language and return the item to the agenda.

Staff and committee reports noted ongoing roadwork (grading, ditching, chip seal) and project closeouts with the DOT, a career day and other community events. The board approved claims and reports totalling $120,148.74 by voice vote and heard public comment about an outstanding equipment reimbursement related to security entrances previously purchased for county facilities.

Votes at a glance - Prepayment of $15,000 for courthouse south‑door materials: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - STBG/local funding agreement for Libertyville Road: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Bridge funding agreement (Brass Tree Avenue): approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Opioid‑fund reimbursement of $20,000 to 911 for radios (total invoice stated as $39,709.26): approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Hire Cody Pearson, EMT (effective Nov. 30, $18/hr): approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Resolution to hire a correctional partner (Jacob Smith): approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Approve payment for security camera invoice #39386: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Approve habitat maintenance agreement with DNR: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Set public hearing Nov. 24, 9:00 a.m., property assignment: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Approve claims and reports $120,148.74: approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

What happens next Staff will proceed with contractor coordination for the courthouse south‑door materials and schedule repairs where feasible; project letting for the bridge work is set for Jan. 21. County counsel and staff will prepare lease language for the environmental‑health rental proposal and return the workforce‑board shared‑liability agreement for further review before the board votes. The property‑assignment hearing is set for Nov. 24 at 9:00 a.m.

Sources: Meeting transcript of the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors meeting, Nov. 10, 2023.