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Franklin County supervisors adopt ROW valuation schedule, approve subdivision waiver and amend juvenile detention agreement
Summary
At its July 14 meeting the Franklin County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a new right-of-way valuation schedule tied to Corn Suitability Rating, approved a subdivision waiver for three parcels, and adopted an amended intergovernmental agreement with the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center; the board also authorized an IT RFP and allowed the auditor to apply for a planning grant.
The Franklin County Board of Supervisors met July 14, 2026, at the Franklin County Courthouse and unanimously adopted several resolutions and administrative items affecting county road projects, land subdivision, intergovernmental cooperation and county IT planning.
In its most substantive action the board adopted Resolution 2026-58 to set a fair market value schedule for right-of-way purchases tied to Corn Suitability Rating (CSR). The resolution establishes a per-CSR-point valuation with tiers at $165 per point for CSR ≥75, $150 per point for CSR 55–74, and $135 per point for CSR ≤54, and sets temporary easement acquisition value at 15% of the fee value. The vote was recorded as Ayes: Lukensmeyer, McVicker, Vanness; Nays: None.
The board also approved Resolution 2025-57, granting a subdivision waiver under Franklin County Subdivision Ordinance 6.2 for parcels 2026-23, 2026-24 and 2026-25 in the west half of Section 25-T92N-R22W to allow the owner to subdivide land for sale. That resolution passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.
Separately, the supervisors approved Resolution 2026-56 to adopt and authorize execution of an amended Chapter 28E intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center. The board directed the county's appointed CIJDC representative to sign the amended agreement and instructed CIJDC to file the fully executed document with the Iowa Secretary of State as required by law; the recorded vote was unanimous.
On departmental matters, Jay Waddingham, the county's Secondary Roads Engineer, gave an update and responded to a citizen request from Jon Petersen for a traffic sign at a blind driveway; Waddingham said he will inspect the location and did not anticipate a problem. Chad Murray, Treasurer, and Jody Hepler, Dispatch Director, provided routine department updates.
Gabe Johanns, IT Director, briefed the board on the need to replace the Disaster Recovery Failover Server at the Law Enforcement Center. The board agreed to solicit bids; Johanns will issue a request for proposals and return with vendor bids for the board's consideration.
The board approved claims as presented and acknowledged the Recorder's quarterly reports for January'March 2026 and April'June 2026. Auditor Katy A. Flint was authorized to apply for the Empower Rural Iowa BOOST Grant to assist with strategic planning.
Chairman Chris Vanness adjourned the meeting at 11:21 a.m.; the board will reconvene July 28, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at the Franklin County Courthouse.
