Snead optimistic about federal bridge funding

     Some very promising news is coming this way.

     Several months ago, county Engineer Derek Snead applied for a federal BUILD grant through the federal Department of Transportation. (BUILD stands for Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development.)

     The project the Engineer’s Department chose to submit for funding was the Landis Road Bridge.

     During the Dec. 8 Jones County Supervisor meeting, Snead informed the board that a statewide committee was formed to pinpoint projects in Iowa that would be good candidates for BUILD grant funding.

     Snead explained the committee consists of representatives from the county engineer’s service bureau.

     “They’ll look at the list of applicants and review applications and projects,” Snead said.

     Projects that fall under two different categories have promising futures where funding is concerned:

     • Meet a need. Beneficiaries to transportation across the state.

     • High likelihood of being completed in a fairly short window of time.

     All of the projects submitted by various in counties in Iowa will be grouped and submitted as a whole.

     “It’s all or nothing,” he said.

     The committee contacted Snead a week ago to inform him that Jones County’s Landis Road Bridge project was one of half a dozen or so selected to move on to the next phase.

     “We’ve been selected to proceed with development and design,” said Snead.

     That said, the Engineer’s Office had immediate plans to fly their drone over the Landis Road corridor to survey the area and collect data.

     “We can start development and any archeological review of the area,” said Snead.

     Should these statewide projects not be selected for federal funding, Snead said there is the possibility of applying for the BUILD grant in 2021.

In other county business:

     • The board approved appointing Auditor-elect Whitney Hein as Auditor in Training, effective Dec. 14. Hein’s training wage will be $30 an hour.

     • The board approved the abatement of property taxes on property located at 101 E. First St. in downtown Monticello. The City of Monticello acquired the property, known as the “old dime store,” from the Welter family.

     The amount of taxes abated is $5,174, plus $116 in interest.

     • The board approved the creation of a special fund to account for the use of insurance proceeds stemming from the Aug. 10 derecho for repairs/improvements to properties managed by Jones County Conservation.

     This fund will be a subsidiary of the county’s General Fund.

     The board also set a public hearing for Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 9:10 a.m. to establish budgetary authority for Conservation Capital Improvements.

     There will be $300,000 transferred from the Wapsipinicon Trail fund to Capital Improvements.

     • The board approved the 2020 Ordinance Codification.

     The county adopted three ordinances in 2020: restrictions for tanning facilities, and two zoning classification changes.

     • The board approved joining litigation with the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) against opioid distributors and manufacturers and their alleged practices of misrepresenting the safety of using opioids. This was at the recommendation of County Attorney Kristofer Lyons.

     Lyons said the suit involves multiple states and multiple counties. The law firm involved is close to reaching a settlement, and the more counties that jump on board, the higher the payout.

     “There are a lot of unknowns,” Lyons pointed out, “including the financial windfall a county might get.”

     The law firm comes recommended by ISAC. There are currently 47 out of Iowa’s 99 counties participating.

     With the board’s approval, Lyons will contact the firm and have a formal engagement letter drawn up.

     • The set a bid lettering for Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 9:30 a.m. to accept bids for a new tandem axle plow truck chassis for Secondary Roads.

     “We hope to have it ready to go before next winter,” said Snead of the lead-time on the piece of equipment.