Supervisors discuss W-64 south of Crafordsville

At the Washington County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, the supervisors received a letter and petition asking that the county surface County Road W-64 south of Crawfordsville.

County Engineer Jacob Thorius said the project is on the county's list of things to do eventually and is included in the county's five-year plan in a broader project in the area.

He said, 'It's probably in the middle of the (priority) pack”.

Supervisor Abe Miller said he couldn't see why the county could not come up with $200,000 to cover the cost of the project. Supervisor Jack Seward Jr. asked Miller to come up with a letter draft to consider at the next meeting.

At their Sept. 1 meeting, the supervisors approved a letter to Crawfordsville Mayor Craig Davey regarding the letter and petition. The letter stated 'Our Board often reviews, and formally reviews annually, the lists of...projects that the County Engineer identifies on the 908 miles of road in the unincorporated parts of Washington County. This particular stretch was already identified on the Engineer's list presented to the Board in 2020.

'The formal projects presented and approved in the 5 Year Road Plan generally are those that rely on funding from state and federal sources, but this project, along with between 25 and 30 others, are paid for with local tax dollars only and are undertaken as local work as other local work priorities allow, and as conditions dictate.

'It is not unreasonable to expect that the resurfacing of the road which is the subject of your letter would be accomplished in the 2021 construction season.”

The letter noted that the plans could change in the event of a disaster or other unforeseen event.

Other Business

In other business the supervisors:

' Approved a bid of $526,549 from Iowa Bridge and Culvert to replace a bridge over Smith Creek on 130th Street east of Wellman.

' Approved a $249,159 change order in the Communications Building project to purchase dual-band radios to enable communications with multiple government entities.

' Approved an Iowa Economic Development Authority Community Development Block Grant Program Contract award not to exceed $172,000 to help low- income homebuyers with down payment costs.

' Passed a resolution to request reimbursement of $278,472 from the Iowa COVID-19 Government Relief Fund.

' Discussed a COVID-19 update.