The Wright County Board of Supervisors spent a very brief meeting reviewing bridge projects Aug. 28.
County Engineer Adam Clemons said his department is focusing on improving four to six bridges primarily located in Lake Township (north and west of Clarion).
The project on Bridge 138 on 190th Street by Lee Avenue was completed last week at a cost of $70,000.
A new project on Bridge 141b northeast of Holmes on 210th Street was started Monday. County Engineer Adam Clemons said he hopes that project, along with Bridges 141a and 137, will be completed by the end of September.
Clemons was also asked about vehicle counts that are being conducted around the county. He said the Iowa Department of Transportation conducts vehicle counts every five years, and “it could affect the funding” received by the county. Federal funds can be used for roads and bridges that have a count of over 25 vehicles each day. In addition, Economic Development Director Darrel Steven Carlyle said vehicle counts are important for economic development efforts.
Sheriff Jason Schluttenhofer was asked about the fire at the NEW Cooperative in Dows. Mutual aid was needed from Coulter, Belmond, Clarion and Eagle Grove for a fire Sunday. The sheriff said he had no information to share.
A Facebook post from the Belmond Fire Department said, “Belmond Fire was dispatched for a mutual aid call to the NEW Cooperative grain elevator in Dows. Smoke was reported coming from a grain leg at the top of the silos. Upon arrival, smoke was showing at both ground level and near the top. Fighters from Dows, Coulter, Clarion and Belmond began the work of finding the source. Operations at both the ground level, and at the top of the silos began in an effort to extinguish the fire. Firefighters remained on scene until 8 p.m. Also on the scene were Clarion Ambulance, Belmond Ambulance, Eagle Grove Fire and Rescue, Iowa State Patrol, Wright County Sheriff's Office, Wright County Emergency Management and Franklin County Emergency Management.”
The supervisors also talked briefly about the Sept. 12 vote on the Emergency Medical Services tax. Supervisor Karl Helgevold said the committee would meet later that day, and get information to the area newspapers on the vote.
Lastly, Supervisor Dean Kluss said he spoke to Rep. Mark Thompson about not making any changes to the property tax laws during the 2024 session. Kluss said the counties need to see what the effects of last year’s sweeping changes will mean for local governments before any more legislation is passed.
