Washington County Sups select new ambulance director

The Washington County Board of Supervisors completed its search for a director for the new Washington County Ambulance Service Department when it met in regular session February 25.

It voted on a compensation package for Jeremy Peck from the Wellman area. He will start on a part-time basis March 2, subject to a background check, at the hourly rate of $40.55. He will begin full time on March 23 at an annual salary of $85,000 plus benefits. The board approved the salary and wage amounts on three to one votes with Supervisor Abe Miller voting no and Jack Seward Jr. absent. Miller said he voted no because he thought the total compensation package was too high for a new employee. Peck had worked part time for Washington County Ambulance, Inc.

The supervisors were looking for a candidate with a college degree, at least four years of supervisory management experience and an Iowa paramedic license. The supervisors narrowed a field of 17 applicants to four and prioritized them. They authorized Seward, County Auditor Dan Widmer and County Human Resources Administrator Amber Day to develop a compensation package and offer the position to the candidates in prioritized order. Eventually Peck was selected.

Bridge Project

At the recommendation of County Engineer Jacob Thorius, the supervisors approved an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation to have the county be the lead agency in projects in Washington, Keokuk and Louisa Counties. The Washington County project is construction of a bridge over Smith Creek east of Wellman on 130th Street at a preliminary cost of $504,000. Fifty-five percent of the cost of construction of the Washington County project will be paid by a federal grant up to a maximum of $275,285. The remaining 45% of construction costs will be paid from state funds. No county tax dollars will be spent on the project.

Trail Paving

Washington County Conservation Board Executive Director Zach Rozmus told the supervisors that his board has received a $317,000 grant which will be used to pave 1.4 miles of the Kewash Nature Trail. He said the total cost of the project is $530,000 and the board is looking for ways to raise the additional funds to pay for the project .

He also reported that the Izaak Walton League has deeded 20 acres of land at the southeast corner of Clemons Creek to the Conservation Board and that it will now be available for hunting without written permission.

Other Business

In other business, the supervisors:

*Held a public hearing and then passed a resolution related to the refinancing of general obligation bonds that would save the county $35,000;

*Heard a recycling update from Lynn Whaley of We Make It Go Away (WEMIGA);

*Approved a six-month step increase for John Wagner in the County Engineer's Department;

*Approved recommendations from Human Resources Administrator Amber Day to approve an updated general safety manual and an updated employee handbook and

*Voted to have the county attorney notify Sally Williams that the county waives its first right of refusal to purchase 4.1 acres of land near the county's secondary road maintenance shop which Williams had offered for sale.