Washington Supervisors focus on finances

By Mary Zielinski
Posted 1/25/22

Everything from seeking a grant to update road signs to longevity and step increase for employees to increases in county funds were key issues for the Washington County Supervisors on Tuesday, Jan. …

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Washington Supervisors focus on finances

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Everything from seeking a grant to update road signs to longevity and step increase for employees to increases in county funds were key issues for the Washington County Supervisors on Tuesday, Jan. 25.

The resolution approving an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation is to aid with updating and replacing between 300 and 350 road signs in the county with the help of a $10,000 DOT grant. County Engineer Jacob Thorius noted the county has been involved with the program for about a decade, although last year the county did not receive a grant.  Sign work will start in the spring.

The lengthiest action involved $500 longevity bonuses and raises (per the recently approved metric scale) for 12 Public Health Department employees. The $500 longevity increases (for 5 to 10 years employment anniversary) were approved for Jessica Janecek (9 years), Bonnie Lins (9 years) Diane Waldschmidt (10 years) and Megan Waterhouse (7 years). Hourly increases, all effective January 27, were approved for Susan Beatty $20.26 to $27.25; Jackie Brown, $16 to $17; Sara Hammes, $30 to $33; Maxine Hervey, $15.92 to $18; Lori Hobscheidt, $23.46 to $27; Jessica Janecek, $19 to $25.25; Bonnie Lins $16.22 to $18; Irene McDowell, $17.10 to $18; Jenifer Roberts, $27.85 to $30; Diane Waldschmidt, $28.85 to $32; Megan Waterhouse, $28.57 to $32; and Peggy Wood, $34.25 to $35.

The increases had all been approved by the Board of Health at its January 20 special session. The supervisors unanimously approved the hourly wages; however, the longevity bonus was 4-1 with Jack Seward, Jr. opposed. He previously had voted the same way as a member of the health board.

The quarterly reports from the sheriff’s department and from the county treasurer had few changes, although the fees collected by the sheriff’s department were down about $1,800 for the quarter. The treasurer’s report showed a balance of $19,788,132 and a total of $24,400,896 in tax revenues for all taxing bodies within the county. Total fees collected by the department were $2.2 million.

In other business, the supervisors unanimously approved the resolution setting a public hearing for 9 a.m., Tuesday, February 8, in the supervisor’s office about the release of an easement of a portion of the former right-of-way of the Kewash railroad in the city of Washington. The easement was acquired by the Washington County Conservation Board (WCCB) as part of the establishing of the Kewash trailhead.  The WCCB no longer plans to use the easement and approved sale of a 2,830 sq. ft. portion of the nature trail to Matnic LLC  for $28,300.