Supervisors support county Leadership Program

Board of Supervisors
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     Jones County showed its support for education last week when the board of supervisors approved a $2,000 funding request for the Jones County Leadership Program.

     Lisa Folken with Kirkwood’s Jones Regional Education Center, and Lisa McQuillen with F&M Bank, both serve on the Leadership planning committee. During the April 3 supervisor meeting, they gave the supervisors on update on the upcoming program.

     The Leadership Program has been ongoing since 1994.

     Folken said the program used to run every year, but was changed to every other year to help build a larger class size.

     “We want to have a more diverse class, with more benefits for everyone,” she said.

     The speakers and program agenda are really designed to help build leadership opportunities specifically in Jones County.

     “It’s really targeted on Jones County and helps people learn more about the county, not only what we have here, but how they can give back to the community,” said Folken. “We want to retain people here.”

     Folken said the funding the county provides helps to cover the costs for two years of programming speakers and rent for various facilities).

     The last Leadership Program included 15 participants, a workable class size, Folken said, for collaboration.

     McQuillen said young professionals in Jones County expressed interest in seeing more leadership opportunities locally.

     Cindy Davies of Anamosa questioned why the county (taxpayers) was helping to fund educational programs.

     “Why do taxpayers have to pay for this?” she asked. “There is all kinds of funding for education.

     “A lot of people have a hard time meeting their own needs, let alone someone else’s,” added Davies.

     Supervisor Ned Rohwedder said he feels the Leadership Program is worthwhile. “It’s a good idea to promote leadership, and I feel the cost is pretty modest,” he said.

In other county business:

     • The board approved a funding agreement for TSIP (Traffic Safety Improvement Program) funds for the County Road E-45 paving project. County Engineer Derek Snead said they would be allowed to use up to $500,000 on safety-related items: flatten curves, safety edge, etc.

     “It allows us to make the road safer without using some of our own funding,” he said. Snead said it also reduces the cost of the project, bringing in outside funds.

     “With the crash history, it’s higher than a lot of other roads in the county,” added Snead. “It’s one of our more dangerous roads.”

     • Snead informed the board that Assistant Engineer Todd Postel is working on the plans for Lead Mine Road, including right of way acquisition. Letters will be sent to all affected landowners.

     • Snead reported that the county bridge crew would be working on several posted structures once the weather improves.

     With 18 posted structures around the county, Snead said five are on the spring construction list.

     • The board approved lease agreements with Abbe Mental Health Center and HACAP at the Broadway Place Annex.

     • The board approved a contract with Shive-Hattery, Inc. to prepare a facilities assessment of the courthouse and Broadway Place Annex. Their low bid was $15,000.

     • The board approved a resolution to acknowledge an 1862 vacation of a portion of Locust Street and Walnut Street in Monticello. They also authorized the issuance of deeds with the City of Monticello to adjacent property owners.

     • The board re-appointed Mark Denniston to the Civil Service Commission.

 

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