In the weekly COVID-19 update during the Monday Board of Supervisors meeting, county epidemiologist Sandy McGrath expressed concern about the increase in Wright County’s numbers over the past week. The numbers went up by 86 cases in the last week and now are at 813 positive cases as of Monday, with 192 active cases. “We’re really bouncing up, as are the surrounding counties,” said McGrath. “I expect to see this trend continue.” She added that the cases are scattered throughout the county. She also said that, anecdotally, she feels like the virus seems to be passing a lot easier now, which she guesses might be because people are spending more time indoors.
“We really need people to get those masks on, stay home if you’re sick, and avoid social gatherings. And please get tested if you have any symptoms.” McGrath reminded that there are ample avenues in the county for testing, whether through county Public Health or the Test Iowa site in Belmond.
Jen Sheehan with County Social Services updated the board about Mental Health Region developments. In September, the board had motioned to apply to join the Central Iowa Community Services (CICS) region due to changes in Wright County’s current region- County Social Services (CSS). CICS voted to accept Wright County in their region.
Sheehan said that CSS recently extended until February the deadline for counties to submit their intent to leave that region. She added that there is also talk of potential legislation next year that would allow Wright to stay in the CSS region should it pass. However, she noted that if they wait that long to formally submit their intent to leave the region, Wright County might not have much say in the structuring of their new region or how staffing would work. Supervisor Karl Helgevold who sits on the CSS board also added that he doesn’t really foresee that legislation going through in time to be useful to the county. The board will make their decision about whether and when to leave the current region next week.
In County Engineer Adam Clemons’ secondary roads update, he presented the board with the map for new ‘no snow removal’ routes to be added to the current ones. Nine new routes are planned to add. These are stretches of road that are little traveled in the winter. Clemons said landowners in those areas were notified by letter and none voiced problems with that decision.
In other board business, Betty Ellis, Wright County Auditor, requested approval of raising pay for precinct election officials for this election from $10.00 to $13.00 per hour for the General Election only. She noted that the officials are being asked to do more than ever before. The board decided to make the pay bump permanent for future elections. Peggy Schluttenhofer, Wright County Treasurer, asked the board to abate taxes on a mobile home that was formerly in Clarion. Taxes has not been paid on it since 2009. Schluttenhofer said they were just recently informed that the mobile home is no longer in the area. The board passed the abatement of $1536.
