At the Monday meeting of the Wright County Board of Supervisors, the group heard again from Summit Carbon Solution pipeline officials. Summit representative Kaylee Langrell did most of the talking. She again went over the goals of the project. She noted that they hope to start construction late next summer. She added that the project will result in an investment of $66 million in Wright County, including $2.5 million in property taxes from Summit.
Langrell admitted that voluntary land acquisitions have been tougher to come by in Wright County than others, though she didn’t give a percentage for land acquired here.
The supervisors raised a few concerns. Rick Rasmussen said that he thinks that the planned fourfoot depth of the pipeline isn’t deep enough when equipment can get stuck and sink that far down.
Supervisor Dean Kluss said, “I am not personally against the pipeline, but I am against the use of eminent domain. We want to see you work with landowners.” Langrell and another Summit rep reiterated that land prices and pipeline depths are negotiable and that they want to work with landowners.
Wright County Sheriff Jason Schluttenhofer told the pipeline people that they need to communicate better with landowners regarding surveying activities on their property. The sheriff said that they do not know if people have been informed if a certified letter is sent. The Summit reps said they would work with management on that system of notification.
The board also held another budget amendment hearing. Auditor Betty Ellis explained that amendments pertained to secondary roads, the supervisors budget, economic development and IT. Ultimately, after the amendment, expenses were down about $99,000 due to a bridge being taken out of the budget and revenues decreased by about $385,000.
County Attorney Eric Simonson asked the supervisors to appoint someone to act as county attorney in a post-conviction relief court proceeding due to the recusal of the Wright County Attorney’s Office. This matter was discussed a few weeks ago when Simonson explained he will likely be called as a witness in the matter that is similar to an appeal. He recommended Fort Dodge attorney Ernest Kersten for the position and Kersten accepted. The board approved the appointment.
The board decided again not to abate taxes from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The taxes amount to $185 across four drainage districts. Peggy Schluttenhofer, Wright County Treasurer, also got the boards approval for two tax sale certificates for interested buyers in Dows and Eagle Grove.
