The Wright County Board of Supervisors held a short meeting on Monday with Chairman Rick Rasmussen and Supervisor Karl Helgevold attending in person and Supervisor Dean Kluss attending via Zoom.
Arguably the biggest news of the meeting, due to an opioid class action suit the county will be receiving recurring money to fight opioid use and implement addiction prevention programs. The first installment of payments was $ 7517.47 with as-yet-unknown amounts anticipated for 16 more years, as indicated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with guidance given to the county about the outcome of the lawsuit. Wright County Auditor Betty Ellis indicated there will be a resolution on the agenda in August to establish a new local government opioid abatement fund, with Wright County Public Health and the Wright County Sheriff’s Department working in partnership with the Board of Supervisors to impactfully utilize the money.
During the open forum for public input Wright County Assessor Tonee Nicholas introduced Kelly Corkill as Chief Deputy Assessor, which the board received with congratulations and well wishes.
Wright County Engineer Adam Clemons gave his weekly Secondary Roads update outlining the department’s regular maintenance work and work orders completed.
The Board voted unanimously to appoint CICS Director Russell Wood to sign for admissions to the State Resource Center. Auditor Ellis and Supervisor Helgevold explained when community mental health services were funded by county dollars one of the Supervisors would sign admissions, but since these services are now provided regionally and supported by state dollars and resources CICS will now sign the orders.
Wright County Treasurer Peggy Schluttenhofer presented the Wright County Semi-Annual Report, indicating a higher ending fund balance than reported six months prior. Chairman Rasmussen made a motion to receive the report, which passed with all ayes.
The group also received and unanimously approved a fireworks permit for 4G’s Pyrotechnics to be utilized in the Belmond area, which Chairman Rasmussen will sign pending paperwork arrival and completeness.
