In action relating to the need for a new ambulance for the county ambulance service, the Washington County Supervisors on Tuesday, May 11 acknowledged two quotes from Foster Coach Sales, Inc. of Sterling, Illinois for two different units: a 2022 Ford 550 custom built unit with options for $284,836 and 2021 International CVt515 custom built unit with options for $262,962.

Final election will be made later; however, Tuesday’s action is to guarantee delivery by July 1, 2023, said Ambulance Director Jeremy Peck. It would be part of the FY22 budget.

He explained that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the building of all kinds of trucks, but considering all aspects, the new unit would be only $10,000 higher than the one it will replace in two years.

He also provided a quarterly report that showed a drop in calls for transport from January to April, but that fiscal matters are virtually “on target for this period”. The service also has been able to lower response times in the northern tier.

Following a public hearing, the board approved a resolution for an amendment to the county budget, selecting additional revenue of $264,500 in county roads and additional expenses of nearly $2 million for road paving.

    The board also approved resolutions for amendments of the Washington County Veterans Affairs and the county General Assurance manuals, the first regarding financial aid for rent/mortgage fees, setting “reasonable rent value” not to exceed $300 monthly. In many cases, it was noted, aid is in the $70 to $80 range, and setting the general assistance rent payments not to exceed $200 per month and utility payments at either the total bill or $175 monthly, whichever is lower.

In other business, the board:

• received the recycling update from Lynn Whaley of WEMIGA, the contract service provider, noting that disposal of tires, televisions and used oil is up at the county recycling center, expected at this time of year, and that City Carton will close its Mt. Pleasant facility June 7. City Carton closed its Iowa City facility some time ago. “We found other sources,” said Whaley, noting one of them is Ft. Madison. “It’s a tough time in the recycling market,” he added”;

• approved the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grant of $10,000 to help address cybersecurity threats that involved a contract with the Iowa Secretary of State’s office. In practical terms, it is to maintain and safeguard all records for a period of five years to January 1, 2026;
• set a bid letting for 9 a.m. on May 24 in the county engineer’s office for FY22 fuel contracts. The board expects to act on the bid at its May 25 meeting;
• accepted the single bid from Townsend Crane Service, LLC of Wellman for crane services at $200 per hour for removal and replacement of a deck on Elm Street, northwest of Wellman. County Engineer Jacob Thorius noted that the device “will be available on our schedule.”;
• approved a letter of support for a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) funds to aid with repairing the Skunk River Bridge on W21 at McKain’s Crossing that will increase the bridge width from 21.9 feet to 30 feet. It is part of a plan, using up to $25 million in RAISE funds for eight counties (Buchanan, Cedar, Delaware, Hamilton, Jones, Monroe, Scott and Washington) with major bridge work. It involves the Iowa County Engineers Association (CEA) as well as local boards. The support letter is due June 1; and
• received the weekly COVID-19 report showing total vaccinations in the county at 35.8% of the population; that vaccinations, using Pfizer vaccine, will become available for 12-to-15-year-olds in the county; and that the Public Health Department is monitoring report of Indian variant cases in Jefferson County.