Noting he has been at five meetings about moving county offices to Orchard Hill, Dale Torpey, board chairman of Federation Bank, Tuesday offered an alternative to move the judicial offices to Orchard Hill, leaving the third floor of the courthouse for administrative offices expansion. 
Noting that in those prior meetings there were 20 to 25 people in attendance who opposed the Orchard Hill move, he asked why “worry” about space for expansion of services in a county whose population growth in a half century has averaged one-third of one percent.  
As for the bank, it has gone from holdings of $80 million with 43 employees in 2001 to $155 million with 32 employees in 2023. In an age of technology, he noted it is not a matter of needing square footage. 
As for the comments about maintenance for the bank building, he stressed it has been well maintained and no matter where the county moves its facilities, “there will always be maintenance for any building.”
Consequently, moving the actual courtroom, clerk of court, county attorney office, probation, Outreach and other judicial services would still achieve having all legal facilities in one place and leave administrative services in the same downtown location.
Torpey also provided a brief review of financial figures detailing costs involved in the current plan to remodel Orchard Hill and the courthouse that could leave the county with about $2 million or more of the American Rescue Act Plan (ARAP) funds.  He suggested those funds could aid other services, including meeting childcare needs, and that the board note, “There are alternatives out there.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, during the supervisor comments, supervisor Jack Seward, Jr, referenced some public “confusion” about Orchard Hill, including possibly tearing down the former county home and building a new office facility.  He said the building has not been owned by the county for some time, that there will be “no tearing down” (the building now owned by HACAP), and except for “connecting corridors for the existing buildings,” there will be “no construction”.    Occupants at Orchard Hill currently include HACAP offices, environmental health and sheriff’s office. 
In a related issue, the board unanimously adopted a change order with Encite Architecture and Design of Washington”to facilitate a design for two options with regard to space needs” for administrative offices at the Orchard Hill complex and for the downtown courthouse.   Supervisor Marcus Fedler, board liaison for the project, noted that Encite already has been working on the plan.
In other business, the board:
Approved the proclamation naming May Community Action Month in the county, part of the nationwide observance, that notes the essential contributions to individuals and families nationwide by community programs.  The designation dates to 1964 was initiated by the Economic Opportunity Act of President Kennedy and put into action by President Johnson 59 years ago.  It also was noted that HACAP, a community action program, has existed in the county for 58 years and served some 75,000 people.
Formally acknowledged the Secondary Roads fiscal ’23 Iowa DOT budget amendment estimated currently at $10,559,548.55.
Approved changing employment for Timothy Padallia, Washington County jail, from full-time to part-rime at $21.50 hourly, effective May 8.
Approved Jill Duwa, Washington county jail, for full-time at $21.50 hourly, effective May 8.
Approved a change for Michael Johnson, Washington County ambulance EMT, to part-time at same wage of $28.59 hourly.
Accepted resignation of Jack Flesner, Ambulance Services EMT level 2, who left for employment by a hospital.
Approved reappointing Aaron Wulf, county buildings and grounds, as county weed commissioner for the period of May 15 to September 15 at $568.75 monthly.  Auditor Dan Widmer told the board Wulf “has done a good job,” and “works well with people” in a job that involves dealing with noxious weeds on county and private property.