The Monday meeting of the Wright County Board of Supervisors was at full capacity, in addition to over 20 attendees on Zoom. The large crowd was there to give input during the public forum time regarding the county’s recent announcement that they will not continue to provide skilled home care services that are reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid, the VA and insurance, beginning November 1. Everyone who spoke voiced unhappiness with the decision.
Alice Rector, a former public health nurse and administrator spoke at length about the serious adverse impact this move will have on people needing home care in the county. She expressed her concern that the decision was not made public and transparent earlier. Additionally, Steve Sebby explained that he has been getting several weekly visits from Wright County home care after breaking his neck eight years ago which resulted in him being wheelchair-bound with C5 quadriplegia. He noted that since he was made aware of this decertifying, he has contacted various other agencies and been denied coverage. He too asked the county to rethink their decision. Board chairman Dean Kluss reminded everyone that the Board of Public Health voted on this matter, not the supervisors. The Wright County Board of Public Health will be meeting on Thursday. (Possible extra sentence here about an open letter on page # or upcoming story next week)
In scheduled items, the board approved a few resolutions. One was requesting reimbursement from the Iowa COVID-19 Government Relief Fund. Kluss noted that through the CARES Act, the county is eligible for up to $159,261 if they provide documentation of using those funds. Another resolution declared September as National Recovery Month after representatives from Community and Family Resources presented on mental and substance use disorders.
County Engineer Adam Clemons sought and received approval on a resolution taking load limitations off five bridges that were replaced with culverts. He also asked for the board to sign a construction agreement with Iowa DOT. The DOT will be repaving Highway 17 from Eagle Grove to the county line. In the agreement, the county committed to paving intersections to the gravel roads off that highway.
The board held a budget amendment hearing. According to Auditor Betty Ellis, the net difference will be an increase of $56,000 to the county budget. Big changes will be to move public health money from the general basic fund to the newly created public health fund and moving Agribusiness Park revenues and expenses to the next fiscal year since that project is ongoing.
In other business, the board certified annual installment payments for the ReNewTrients special assessment. The company is scheduled to pay $15,000 per year for 10 years for the paving of 275th Street from Highway 69 to the business. Two tax abatements were approved for parcels attached to the Forest Reserve program. Taxes increased for nine parcels and decreased for two. An additional abatement was approved for a previously missed military and homestead tax credit.
