by Amanda Rink, Editor
May 19, 2025 – The Wright County Board of Supervisors met Monday, May 19, to review a few different county issues, including progress on local infrastructure, community mental health services, and a bill addressing the regulation of hazardous liquid pipelines in Iowa.
During the meeting’s open forum, Supervisor Dean Kluss urged that House File 639, an amended bill concerning carbon pipelines and eminent domain, be brought to the attention of Governor Kim Reynolds. Bob Ritter, who will be meeting with the Governor soon, invited the supervisors to submit any items they’d like him to share.
“I told him the only thing I had was to ask her to sign House File 639,” said Kluss.
House File 639, which passed the Iowa House, requires stricter oversight on hazardous liquid pipelines, such as those intended to transport liquefied carbon dioxide. The bill strengthens landowner protections by tightening the requirements for companies seeking to use eminent domain. It mandates insurance provisions for damage coverage and ensures that pipeline operators are acting as true “common carriers”, transporting goods for unaffiliated shippers, not just themselves.
The bill also introduces new requirements for Iowa Utilities Board hearings, including mandatory attendance by all commission members during live testimony and public informational meetings. It also ensures that elected officials and residents can intervene in related proceedings while protecting them from unjust sanctions.
In other business, the board reviewed and approved a request for the Clarion Farmers Market to use the Courthouse yard again this year. The market is working in partnership with the Farm Bureau to manage the new insurance requirements for the 2025 season.
A letter from Central Iowa Community Services (CICS) caused discussion about the region’s upcoming transition out of its role as a Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS) provider, effective June 30, 2025. Ashley Bosch recommended that the county continue its participation in the existing 28E agreement with CICS despite the change.
“They can still provide us services through the new HHS realignment,” Bosch stated. A motion was made and approved to stay with CICS during this transition.
CICS and its successor services will continue to offer a wide array of mental health and disability supports, from mobile crisis response teams and suicide prevention to job development and supported housing, under the reorganized structure.
Jeremy Abbas, assistant to the Wright County Engineer, presented the final voucher for the BRS-SWAP-C099(100)–FF-99 bridge project, known as Bridge #8 on R75. Though the bridge was completed in 2022, the paperwork had been delayed because of a new digital platform for project documentation.
“This project has already been paid for,” Abbas said. “There’s no new money, just finalizing the paperwork.”
Abbas also gave an update on secondary roads, including dust control prep, rock hauling for 2025, and maintenance work on signs, tiles, and drainage systems. He mentioned that a portion of 207th Street near Eagle Grove will be narrowed to restore the road’s crown and improve drainage. Hard surface road mowing has begun, with about 70% done.
Because of high evaporation rates, concrete work on the Voss Quarry Bridge, south of Eagle Grove, was delayed last Thursday to avoid structural issues. Weather permitting, the pour is now scheduled for Thursday, May 22.
The next Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 27, instead of Monday, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. This meeting and past meetings can be viewed online at youtube.com/@wrightcountyiowaofficial8312.
