During the open forum portion of Monday’s Wright County Board of Supervisors meeting, Jona McGrath and Dann Schroeder came before the board to talk about the property around their mother’s, Joan Schroeder’s, home at 1775 Page Ave by Lake Cornelia across from Clarmond Country Club. The family noted that they have been maintaining the property around the home since the mid-70s though it is owned by the county, Clarmond and the state. The Schroeders would like the property around the buildings signed over to them, mentioning “adverse possession” provisions. There was a discussion about right of way since the property is close to the road. The board ultimately said they would work with Wright County Engineer Adam Clemons regarding county lands and the Schroeders would have to work with Clarmond and the state on the other parts. The matter will be investigated.
In the weekly COVID update, Sandy McGrath noted that the county is at 1,886 cases, up 16 cases from last week. She is concerned about the Delta variant. She explained that though Test Iowa sites are closed, people can request at-home saliva test kits from Test Iowa that are mailed to them and then mailed back to the state lab. McGrath said they are also still testing at Public Health.
She added that 45.9% of the county is now vaccinated. She wants to challenge the county to reach the 50% threshold by August and particularly hopes younger people seek the vaccination since they are most susceptible to the Delta variant.
The board voted against abating taxes on four parcels for US Fish and Wildlife. Dean Kluss has long been suggesting federal legislation that would require this entity to have to pay these taxes like landowners do. He noted that if they keep abating taxes in the meantime the law is never going to get changed. Kluss and Rasmussen voted against abating and Helgevold voted for it. County Treasurer Peggy Schluttenhofer said even though they may vote not to abate, it will just be carried over as delinquent for years since those properties can’t be part of a tax sale.
Jeremy Abbas, Assistant to the Engineer, talked to the board about Secondary Roads’ work on a natural snow fence policy. They are trying to craft a policy that mirrors the state to entice landowners to leave corn in fields to act as a natural fence. Abbas said they are still working out setback requirements and prices for payment to landowners.
The board held a conference call with Hancock County again regarding joint drainage district matters. The issues surround district 194 and joint district 98-32. Under advice from county drainage attorney Dave Johnson, the board decided to form a commission of two Wright County landowners and an engineer to prepare an outlet report that could perhaps result in an outlet charge being assessed. The commission consists of Bob Ritter and another person to be appointed next week.
