The Wright County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday, July 5 at 9:00 a.m., one day later than normal due to the Independence Day holiday falling on Monday.
After the meeting kicked off with standard approval of claims, last meeting’s minutes, and minutes from the June 30th special meeting, the floor was opened to public comment. Collin Smith, legal council for Corn Belt Power, Prairie Energy Cooperative, and Boone Valley Cooperative, addressed the board via Zoom, reiterating his clients’ request to expand the stakeholders invited to a strategy negotiation from the original three complainant organizations to all concerned utility companies and cooperatives. This was once again met with a request from the Supervisors to keep the initial meeting as a small group, citing ease of communication and maintenance of scope, and then expand as needed. The discussion became momentarily heated as Smith alleged Wright County Secondary Roads staff caused unsafe conditions by showing up to work sites and requesting proof of insurance from contractors. This allegation was denied by Wright County Engineer Adam Clemons, and Smith eventually retracted the statement to be a case of “he said, she said.” Additionally, because the initial meeting has not yet occured within the 30 day pause of the contested permitting process, Smith requested an extension of the permitting pause until the groups could meet. Discussion will continue between the parties outside the public forum.
The group held a third reading of Ordinance #64 to repeal and replace Planning and Zoning Ordinance #5. The new ordinance would raise the minimum allowable owned acres on agricultural land an individual can build on from one acre to two acres, citing environmental health concerns for issues such as septic systems. The group discussed if two acres was sufficient, citing three acres as more favorable for building homes and other buildings larger than utility sheds before deciding to remain with the original acreage and amend if needed at a later date. The reading of the ordinance passed with all ayes, and it will be published before it is adopted.
Tonee Nicholas, Wright County Assessor presented the 2022 valuation year property tax applications for Homestead credit, Disabled Veterans Homestead Credit, and Military exemption for approval or denial, which are payable in fiscal year 2023/2024. Chairman Rick Rasmussen moved to have the applications reviewed by the Wright County Assessor and Wright County Veterans Affairs Director Christine Oliver before approval, and the motion carried with all ayes.
The board also voted unanimously to release the Real Estate Mortgage back to Dows Community Grocery, Inc., citing complete repayment of the loan approved by Wright County Economic Development.
In other Dows business, the liquor license for Casey’s General Store near Dows was approved.
Wright County Engineer Adam Clemons discussed stream mitigation costs for Bridge #53 on R59 south of Galt, updating the board on a new federal regulation passed in spring 2022 requiring credits be purchased to remove or modify a stream bed. The work will require 700 credits, at a cost of $58,000. However, since the area is a farm-to-market (FM) road, the cost will be covered by specific farm-to-market money. Clemons also gave the secondary roads update on work completed and in progress for the week.
Wright County Conservation Director Eric Rector asked the board to review and act on Resolution 2022-31 to accept the Prairie Trail Land financial responsibility for construction, maintenance, and operations for Wright County Trails, which passed with all ayes.
