Supervisors approve truck purchases, get road updates; staff reports Aspire Nursing Home closing

Muscatine County supervisors approved the purchase of two 2027 Mack cab-and-chassis trucks during their April 20 meeting and heard updates on several road projects and a county service closure.

County Engineer Bridal Noroski reported that the trucks will be purchased in 2026 as 2027 models and that prices rose about 3% since last procurement. Noroski discussed options for trading in used chassis versus selling them on Purple Wave to potentially increase proceeds, and the board approved the purchase.

Noroski also provided construction updates: work on Stewart Road is progressing northward and is expected to finish mid‑to‑late summer; a bridge replacement on F70 has completed substructure work and is moving toward deck construction; culvert replacement on 180th is nearly graded and fenced; and Highway 22 paving is scheduled to begin May 4 pending preparatory work.

Separately, a county employee reported that Aspire Nursing Home in Muscatine is closing, that four or five county‑guardian clients were relocated, and that meetings with the Department of Inspection and Appeals indicated the facility will likely not reopen. The employee said the county passed a Social Security review and has implemented a process to collect federal repayment for veteran cremations, which should reduce county costs.

Supervisors asked completion timing and cautioned that utilities or rail crossings could delay some paving work. The board received the updates and approved the vehicle purchase as recommended.