County engineer cuts back hours

Jefferson County Engineer Tom Goff will be reducing his hours to three days per week until the end of the fiscal year or a replacement is hired, whichever comes first.

The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors discussed the hiring process this morning and made plans for Goff, supervisor Steve Burgmeier and county auditor Scott Reneker to collaborate on a job posting. Goff is retiring after 15 years as county engineer.

The supervisors will likely advertise with the Iowa County Engineers Association Service Bureau and a couple other sources. The board may hire an outside consultant to oversee reviewing resumes and interviewing.

Also this morning, the board approved an amended budget by service area.

The state capped Jefferson County?s mental health budget at $607,300 after previously notifying the county an additional $40,000 could be levied.

The $40,000 reduction in the budget decreased the mental health levy rate roughly 6 cents. As a result, the rural property tax levy rate decreased to $9.52 per $1,000 taxable valuation and the urban property tax levy rate decreased to $7.22 per $1,000 taxable valuation.

The board met with Jeff Lorenz from Cost Advisory Services. Lorenz assists the county with recovering expenses from the locally housed Department of Human Services.

Lorenz said the board will recover 33 percent of 67 percent of the cost of the building over 20 years and the same percentage of cost of the renovations over 10 years ? a total of roughly $5,300 per year.

Supervisor Lee Dimmitt reported on 10-15 Transit?s ongoing negotiations with the Department of Transportation. Dimmitt said 10-15 had been forced to reimburse the IDOT for rides that are now considered allowable and is therefore requesting that money be returned.

Dimmitt said the IDOT?s response was that it had reviewed the numbers and found 28 percent more disallowable rides.

Dimmitt reported 10-15 also is in the process of interviewing for a permanent administrator. He supports hiring interim director Mark Hagist.