Winnebago County supervisors unanimously approve drainage repair, set public hearing and form weather committee

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Iowa — The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors on April 7 approved a series of routine actions, including a drainage repair estimate, a public hearing and bid notice for a county construction project, and the formation of an adverse weather coordination committee.

Kris Oswald, the county’s drainage clerk, told the board there is a new quote from Holland Contracting to trench about 2,400 feet of tile on DD 5 Lateral 34 with an estimated cost of $61,250, roughly $40,000 less than a previous estimate. The board, acting as trustees for the drainage district, approved the estimate on a motion by Supervisor Smith, seconded by Supervisor Terry Durby. County staff said the repair will be paid for by the district and that letters will be sent to affected landowners. (The motion as recorded in the minutes refers to “DD 5 Lat 24” while the drainage clerk spoke about “DD 5 Lat 34”; the minutes contain an apparent lateral-number inconsistency.)

The board also approved a resolution adopting plans and specifications for project 95-CO95-2026PRECAST, set a public hearing for 9:00 A.M. April 28, 2026, and authorized notice to bidders. Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the resolution and set the hearing.

Scott Meinders, county engineer, and Ethan Schutter, maintenance superintendent, updated the board on secondary roads operations, reporting that maintainers are currently blading, spot loading of rock will start next week and dust-control applications are expected to begin around June 1. Meinders said the Nelson/Andersland report will appear on next week’s agenda.

Supervisors approved several routine quarterly reports and financial items. Mary Lou Kleveland of Veterans Affairs presented her office’s quarterly report, and the board approved the Recorder’s and Auditor’s quarterly reports. Elizabeth Theyer of Gardiner & Company presented the county’s fiscal year 2025 audit; the minutes record the audit briefing but do not record a separate formal vote in that segment.

The board approved and ordered to be paid a list of claims that included vendor invoices, utility payments and half-year library allocations to local public libraries. The minutes list detailed line items; examples include library allocations of $10,000 to Buffalo Center, Forest City, Lake Mills, Rake and Thompson public libraries, a $20,000 services payment to Schmidt Construction, and fuel and utilities payments to local vendors.

Supervisors created an adverse weather coordination committee and appointed members including Matt Duve, Chris Barber, Nate Nelson, Joe Klukow, Steve Hepperly (or Mike Droessler, as an alternate listed in the minutes), Andy Buffington, Jennifer Ackerman, Ethan Schutter (or Scott Meinders as alternate), and Supervisor Terry Durby.

The board recorded approval of an ARPA-related resolution; the minutes show unanimous approval but do not specify allocations or dollar amounts in the discussion segment. The Auditor’s office also logged receipt of manure management plans for three Christensen Farms and Grant sites.

All recorded motions in the minutes carried with “all voted aye.” The session adjourned and the board scheduled its next meeting for 9:00 A.M. April 14, 2026.