County passes full ATV/UTV ordinance


It took many people to help introduce and pass Jones County’s new ATV/UTV ordinance. The Jones County Supervisors approved the final reading during its Nov. 20 board meeting. There to support the passage were, front from left, Mandy Bieber, Terry Marsh, Eileen Marsh, Jim Strother, Bobby Krum, and Dave Carson. Back row, Sheriff Greg Graver and Jake Harms. (Photo submitted)
Board of Supervisors
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     Jones County officially has a new ATV/UTV ordinance in place.

     The Jones County Supervisors suspended the second consideration of the proposed ordinance during their Nov. 20 meeting, choosing to formally adopt the ordinance right away (due to lack of opposition).

     Upon the final vote, the room full of supporters of the ordinance erupted in a round of applause.

     This project was led by Amber resident Bobby Krum. Sheriff Greg Graver assisted in writing the ordinance, researching what several other counties already have in place.

     “Thanks for all your hard work,” praised Supervisor Jon Zirkelbach. “You did it right.”

     During the last board meeting, the supervisors voted to table awarding a bid for the courthouse improvement project. They received two bids from Carl Nelson Company in Waterloo and Boomerang in Anamosa, both in the $200,000, outside of the $120,000 engineer’s estimate.

     After researching the cost comparisons, Chris Nelson with Shive-Hattery said the contractors built in additional costs for “unforeseen expenses” and contingencies, not knowing if the project would get done next year or not. Some of the particulars included the cost per square yard of concrete for sidewalk.

     “They’re worried about ADA grade costs because of the restrictions,” he said. Nelson said some contractors are shying away from sidewalk work because of the strict requirements.

     Nelson said Shive-Hattery used bid tab software to come up with their engineer’s estimate. “You wouldn’t think their costs (the contractor’s costs) would double or triple the costs,” he said.

     The cost for project management came in at $28,000, which Nelson said is a quarter of the cost overage alone.

     There was $5,000 for temporary fencing.

     “There’s definitely some sticker shock,” Nelson said.

     He suggested the board either re-bid the project in the spring to see if the costs come in lower, or bid as separate courthouse projects rather than all at once.

     “I think these costs are outrageous, but it’s your call,” he told the board.

     He said the downfall to bidding separately is having multiple contractors on scene at the courthouse at once, possibly closing multiple entrances.

     The board voted to reject the bids, asking Nelson to offer some options going forward.

In other county business:

     The board approved a contract with Terracon Consultants, Inc. for construction observation and soil testing for the Wapsipinicon Trail Project. The contract was in the amount of $12,766, which will be reimbursed by the trail committee.

     • The board approved the quarterly investment reports for the county and landfill.

     The county has $3.25 million in CDs, which is up $554,000 from last year. There is $11.65 million in the MMF at three banks in the county. Treasurer Amy Picray said she had accounts at six banks, but closed out three of them due to less competitive rates.

     The county’s total in CDs, MMF and checking is at $19.52 million, with total assets at 22.10 million. That total is down about $1.36 million, Picray said, due to Jones County no longer serving as the mental health region’s fiscal agent.

     The landfill’s total in CD investment is $1.96 million, down $94,000 from last year. Picray said that’s due to funds that have been moved around to cover patrol and claims.

     The landfill’s total assets are at $2.09 million, down $62,000.

     • Picray asked the board to amend the county’s depository resolution limit from $12 million to $18 million.

     “When that was set, we set it higher than we ever thought we’d need,” she said. Picray said it seems every quarter, she’s running into an issue with deposits at a particular bank in Monticello.

     “We have to turn down CD bids because we have too much money in that bank,” she said.

     • The board abated $296 in property taxes on a mobile home at Monti View trailer court outside Monticello. Picray said two mobile homes at the exact same location were being taxed at the same time for the past couple of years. She said a home was removed from the property and she was not notified. Then another home moved into the same spot and was also being taxed.

     • The board approved applications for the Family Farm Property Tax Credit for 2018. County Assessor Sarah Benter said a few of the applications were not allowed because the applicant was a renter, not the owner of the property.

     Benter said she is also working on filling an opening in her office.

 

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