Jefferson County Supervisors approve road resurfacing contract

FAIRFIELD - The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors met Monday, Feb. 3, and approved a bid to resurface about 9 miles of road in the county.

The supervisors awarded a resurfacing contract to Norris Asphalt Paving Company to pave 6.4 miles of Pleasant Plain Road near 167th Street, including redoing an entire curve in the road north of Walnut Creek. The contract also covers 2.4 miles of W40 (Vetch Boulevard) from Four Corners to 218th Boulevard at Lockridge.

Jefferson County Engineer Scott Cline said Norris's bid of $2.019 million was 8 percent lower than the county expected according to the schedule of road repairs in its five-year plan.

In other news, the supervisors approved hiring a cleaning service - Tim Winland - to clean the courthouse every weekday for $200. Supervisor Daryn Hamilton said the contract would be limited to a few months while the regular cleaning person recovers from surgery.

The supervisors approved a new fire alarm for the third floor of the courthouse in the Central Point of Coordination - Mental Health Office.

During committee reports, Supervisor Dee Sandquist told residents it's important to fill out the U.S. census this year to ensure that Jefferson County's population is accurately represented. The county's population can affect how much money the county pays or receives from regional, state and federal government programs.

Supervisor Lee Dimmitt reported on recent developments in the negotiations between 10-15 transit and the city of Ottumwa regarding 10-15 Transit's proposal to take over the fixed routes in the city of Ottumwa, which are now being done by the Ottumwa Transit Authority. At the most recent meeting between the two sides, the city of Ottumwa seemed opened to the proposal as long as 10-15 Transit hired the 22 employees who work for OTA.