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Worth County board approves ITC Midwest utility permit, directs staff on fuel station quotes and green-lights equipment purchases
Summary
At a regular Worth County meeting, commissioners approved a utility permit for ITC Midwest's substation, directed staff to pursue an improved fuel-station quote from DICK'S Petroleum after comparing two bids, authorized ordering two trucks, and set a May 4 completion hearing for DD 14; several routine work orders, the safety manual update and landscaping contracts were also approved.
The Worth County board convened and approved a series of routine and procurement items, including a utility permit for ITC Midwest, direction to negotiate a cheaper fuel-station quote, authorization to pursue new trucks for the county fleet, and the scheduling of a DD 14 completion hearing.
Chair (Speaker 2) called the meeting to order, confirmed a quorum and led the board through the agenda and minutes approvals. Director (Speaker 3) presented multiple items beginning with a utility permit application from ITC Midwest for a substation on agricultural land, noting that planning and zoning already allow substations on that land. After brief discussion, the board voted to approve the utility permit. "If they get their permit, we can't really stop utilities," Speaker 5 said during the exchange, and the motion carried on a voice vote.
The board then reviewed two quotes for a county fuel station and fuel-management system. Director (Speaker 3) said the quote from Acterra was about $225,150 and DICK'S Petroleum’s quote totaled roughly $188,003.19, but with higher annual fees for fuel-management services. "Acterra is more of a turnkey type, where the county would pour the pads and get the wiring to this fuel station," Speaker 3 said, contrasting that with DICK'S approach and higher annual management fees. The board moved to ask DICK'S Petroleum to improve its bid and to proceed with the procurement process; the motion passed.
On fleet and equipment, Director (Speaker 3) described a new quote for two trucks at $355,150 and urged ordering chassis soon to avoid tariffs and long lead times. The board voted to move forward with ordering additional trucks and to evaluate the purchase of an excavator within the budget.
The board scheduled a completion hearing for Drainage District (DD) 14 for May 4 at 9:30 a.m., formalizing a date for damages and the record; the completion report itself remains informational until that hearing. The board also approved a work order from Brennan (Brandon) Dietrich to repair a plugged tile in East Town (DD 13), and it approved pending claims by voice vote.
On facilities, the board reviewed progress at the administration building and authorized an asbestos inspection after receiving three quotes (the lowest in the $500–$900 range). The annual safety-manual review was approved with the recently adopted safety training and reporting policy added to the manual to maintain compliance with OSHA.
Water and wastewater issues included assignment of responsibility to the water/wastewater department for repairs at an RV dump station where staff reported a leaking meter in a vault; the board voted to have water and wastewater make the needed repairs. The county also accepted a contractor bid for regular mowing and spraying at the wastewater plant and water tower west of I-35 after comparing bids.
The meeting closed with scheduling items for a budget workshop and discussion of PTO timing tied to upcoming union negotiations. Chair (Speaker 2) moved to adjourn; the motion passed.
The board took no action on items requiring outside approvals beyond scheduling and procurement direction; many votes were voice votes with no roll-call tallies recorded in the transcript. The next step on several procurement items will be staff follow-up to finalize vendor terms, construct contracts and complete required inspections or public hearings.
