WASHINGTON

Due to delays in remodeling at the county courthouse, a lease with the Iowa Department of Corrections for the 249-square-foot space in Building 3 at Orchard Hill was extended for six months to December 31, 2025. However, it is expected that remodeling at the county courthouse in Washington will be done by September and the Iowa Department of Corrections, 8th Judicial District, will move to new quarters in the courthouse. Terms of the lease remain unchanged.

The Washington County Board of Supervisors was told that the Public Health Department is also on track also to move to Orchard Hill in September after nearly 20 years in leased quarters in the former Federation Bank building. Referencing the long-term lease, supervisors cited the cooperative and amiable agreement between the bank and the county, citing the building’s the top-quality facilities and expressing hope that the vacated space will not remain empty for long.

Supervisor Jack Seward, Jr. noted that the actual dissolution should be done in the county by July 1 with staff remaining to handle last claims and related matters.

In a related issue, the board approved Resolution 25-14 which terminated the Mental Health and Disability Services Agency of Southeast Iowa Region 28E effective November 30, 2025. The action transfers the MHDSA to the state’s new Behavioral Health Service System. In the process it also eliminated the Commission on Aging and special intellectual disability units at state mental health institutes, all part of legislative action on House File 2673. The termination action involves the member counties of Appanoose, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Louisa, Mahaska, Monroe, Van Buren, Wapello and Washington. Similar actions have occurred in the other regions.

The board also approved a pre-construction agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation for paved approaches along US Highway 218 from Iowa Highway 92 south to the Henry County line. Specifically, it involves improvements and asphalt overlays for 335th Street, 318th Street, 315th Street, 295th Street, 287th Street, Old White Way and 285th Street. The county will reimburse the DOT for its share of the estimated $104,572.80 cost.

In other business, the board deferred the General Assistance Policy Change to next week; approved a change for Hunter Irwin, Communications, from full-time to casual part-time, effective March 8; and approved the sheriff’s department quarterly report that shows increases in basic charges for fees and services.