News

County adopts FY26 budget, approves elected officials’ salaries

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 9:28am

     Jones County's Fiscal Year 2026 budget has been adopted, and taxes have been certified.

   During the Jones County Supervisors' April 22 board meeting, the board also took action to establish elected officials' salaries for FY26.

   The county's total proposed expenditures for FY26 are $23,540,567. Total revenues are $20,714,347.

Cost of sewer extension south of town grows

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 9:27am

     Since last spring and summer, the City of Monticello has been working with Roger Stephen and Tyler and Jayme Freye to extend the city’s sewer services to those properties along S. Main Street/Business Highway 151 South.

   As plans have been in the works and engineers have been working their magic, it seems the costs have skyrocketed.

   “The scope of the project itself has changed to a degree,” warned City Administrator Russ Farnum.

Blind Pig explores outdoor bar concept in pocket park

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 9:27am

     “In my travels, I’ve noticed a lot of people using the sidewalk and the street as part of restaurants. People want to hang out outside, be outside; it feels good to be outside just in general.”

   Ryan Evans, owner of Blind Pig Monticello shared those sentiments during the April 21 Monticello City Council meeting as he sought permission from the council for non-exclusive rights to the downtown pocket park for business expansion purposes.

Parolee sentenced to additional 15 years in prison

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 9:26am

     On April 21, Matthew Allen Bakalar of Kellogg, Iowa, was sentenced in Jones County district Court to serve two concurrent indeterminate 15-year prison terms for offenses of forgery and possession of methamphetamine 3rd offense, with both terms having been subject to a habitual offender enhancement due to Bakalar’s prior criminal convictions for at least two felony offenses.

Council tables amending Solid Waste Ordinance, increase of fees

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 9:23am

   There was much discussion during the April 21 Monticello City Council meeting concerning the new garbage and recycling rates that would take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

   Last fall, the council approved an extension to their contract with Republic Services out of Peosta that handles all residential and commercial garbage and recycling, unless the owner has a private contract with another operation.

County seeks bids to replace entire courthouse roof this summer

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 9:23am

   The Jones County Supervisors have approved the plans and bid letting date for the replacement of roof of the courthouse.

   During the April 22 board meeting, a public hearing on the project was held.

   The goal is to have the roof replaced this summer, 2025.

   The county has been working with Shive-Hattery on the design and bidding process to get to this point.

JRMC named Top 20 Critical Access Hospital

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 9:21am

     UnityPoint Health – Jones Regional Medical Center (JRMC) has been recognized as one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). This recognition places JRMC in the top 1.5 percent of all 1,353 critical access hospitals nationwide and highlights JRMC’s ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care.

Board approves 5-Year Road Program amendment

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 9:17am

     A few weeks ago, Assistant Jones County Engineer Todd Postel brought it to the Jones County Supervisors' attention that a bridge on Stone City Road over Crow Creek had failed and would need to be immediately closed until further notice.

   Now that plans are in motion to replace that structure, County Engineer Derek Snead sought the board's approval to amend the two-week old Five-Year Road Program to add the bridge to the current accomplishment year.

   "That is unfortunate. It is what it is, but it's not a big change," he said.

Bogran takes over Jones Co. Environmental Health

Published by admin on Thu, 04/24/2025 - 8:32am

     In a couple of weeks, long-time Jones County Environmental Health (JCEH) Coordinator Paula Hart will step down after just over 20 years. The public will be greeted by a new face in the office after May 2, Lisa Bogran.

   The Jones County Board of Health (BOH) received multiple applications. They interviewed two candidates and ultimately chose to hire Bogran.

   She started working alongside Hart on March 24 to learn the ropes before Hart’s retirement.

Board hears department updates, approves pickup purchase

Published by admin on Thu, 04/24/2025 - 8:31am

   Jones County Secondary Roads is looking to purchase a new pickup truck for their fleet.

   During the April 15 Jones County Supervisors meeting, the board approved the purchase via the state bid at a not-to-exceed amount of $12,500.

   Chief Inspector Wes Gibbs told the board that Secondary Roads looks to replace a pickup with roughly 210,000 miles on it.

   “It’s getting to the point that we need to replace without paying a whole lot (on repairs),” Gibbs said.

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