County prepares for overall facilities assessment
Two architecture and engineering firms in Eastern Iowa met with the Jones County Supervisors to assist the county in conducting a facilities assessment of county property.
Shive-Hattery and Martin Gardner were both present at the March 20 board meeting, with representatives from both highlighting their experience in front of the board. Both companies outlined what needs they saw after having physically toured the courthouse and other county facilities.
With the Jones County Courthouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Shive-Hattery said there are cosmetic fixes that can be done to preserve the look and integrity of the building.
Martin Gardner praised the county for the work that has already been done to preserve and protect the courthouse, noting it was built in 1937.
In sending out RFPs (requests for proposals), County Auditor Janine Sulzner noted that whichever company the board chose to hire, assessments would be due on May 15.
The county set aside $30,000 in its budget to cover the cost of the facilities assessment. Shive-Hattery’s bid came in at $15,300. Martin Gardner’s bid was $24,900.
The board did not take action in awarding a bid until they each had time to review the proposals and bid packages.
In other county business:
• The board filed tax liens for delinquent sewer and/or water bills for the Fairview sanitary sewer system for property located on County Road E-34.
The board also suspended the three considerations for adopted rate changes in the Fairview and Center Junction sanitary sewer systems. EIRUSS, which oversees the facilities, already made the changes before the county had time to adopt them.
Sewer rates in Fairview went from $55.50 to $60, and $40 to $42 in Center Junction. Water rates in Center Junction went from $36 to $40.
• The board awarded a bid to Altorfer for $252,141 for a new Secondary Roads motor grader. Supervisor Ned Rohwedder was opposed because he said there was criteria County Engineer Derek Snead did not bring to their attention before the bidding process. That information, Snead explained, dealt with the fact that all of their machinery runs on the CAT VisionLink system. Snead said they’ve also found that CATs also generally have a higher re-sale value.
• The board approved the preliminary plat for the Storage Addition subdivision in Cass Township. The property is owned by the Parham family. Two buildings on the property are being separated off for sale or transfer, shared Land Use Administrator Michele Lubben.
• The board set a public hearing for Tuesday, April 10 at 10 a.m. for the vacation of a portion of 145th Street.
• Supervisor Lloyd Eaken shared that Jones County Economic Development interviewed several applicants for the director position and have narrowed their search down to three individuals. One prospective candidate met with the JCED board recently and was given a driving tour of the county.
“It appears they probably have a candidate who they’re interested in and who’s interested in us,” said Eaken.
He said JCED would be in the position to hire someone within the next couple of weeks.
“They’ll finalize their decision in April and have the person on site by May,” added Eaken.