Board approves highway safety grant application, utility permit and sets levy hearing; engineers discuss Highway 61 haul route
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Summary
At its Feb. 23 meeting the Muscatine County Board approved a $61,000 highway safety grant application with Sheriff Quinn Reese, approved one utility permit for Eastern Iowa Light and Power, heard engineer updates on a DOT-requested haul route carrying about 76,000 tons of aggregate for Highway 61, and set a public hearing on the FY26-27 county property tax levy for March 23.
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 23 approved a Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau highway safety grant application in the amount of $61,000 presented with Sheriff Quinn Reese and approved a single utility permit for an electric-service bore by Eastern Iowa Light and Power.
Grant approval: The board approved the highway safety grant application by motion and voice vote after a presentation from county staff working with the sheriff. The presenter said the grant package now emphasizes enforcement and impaired-driving enforcement and that the department requested somewhat higher amounts this year to cover overtime costs; historically the program had funded camera systems and equipment but program rules have changed.
Utility permit and road-haul update: County Engineer Bridal Horowski reported one utility permit from Eastern Iowa Light and Power (Wilton) to bore under 235th Street to serve a residential electric connection; the board approved the permit. Horowski also said the Iowa Department of Transportation asked to use Moscow Road (F70/North Mulberry) as a haul route for aggregate for a Highway 61 project and that the current plan involves approximately 76,000 tons of rock to be moved. He described an agreement process that will document the current road condition, monitor hauling and identify any post-haul repairs.
Budget and levy: Administration proposed a public hearing on the proposed FY26-27 Muscatine County property tax levy; the board set the hearing for March 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the conclusion of the regular meeting and approved the motion. Supervisors confirmed the proposal meets code requirements and discussed notice and timing.
Other board actions and updates: Supervisors approved the Feb. 16, 2026 meeting minutes and accepted February 2026 payroll claims. County staff said they awarded a low bid of $357,000 to Wolf Contracting for a maintenance shop and are accepting bids for septic and well installation, with a bidder walkthrough scheduled Feb. 27. Staff also said the conservation campground is on track for an April 15 opening.
Votes at a glance: GTSB highway safety grant application (motion approved); utility permit for Eastern Iowa Light and Power (approved); set public hearing on FY26-27 property tax levy for March 23 (approved); approval of Feb. 16 minutes (approved); acceptance of February 2026 payroll claims (approved).
What's next: The board will hold the scheduled hearings and follow up as staff returns with more detailed budget and project information.
