Washington Supervisors continue on with Zoom meetings

If Washington County property owners see their property taxes skyrocket in the near future, it won't be because of any actions taken by the Washington County Board of Supervisors. The board again held its March 31 meeting on Zoom due to the Coronavirus.

Following a public hearing on the budget where nobody spoke, the board approved a budget that includes a levy increase of .76 of one percent in urban areas and a levy decrease of 2.05 percent in rural areas.

Total property valuations computed in the budget were down 10.91 percent from last year in rural areas and up 4.39 percent in urban areas. The total county property tax asking was up .72 of one percent or $90,409 going from $12,616,218 last year to $12,706,627 in the new budget.

The board's public hearing also dealt with an amendment to the current budget which moved some figures from one line item to another but did not affect the overall budget, then later passed a resolution to make the changes.

Officials' Salaries

The board also approved the following salaries for elected officials to become effective July 1 of this year:

Auditor $77,088 (2.7% increase)

Attorney $121,900 (3.46% increase)

Recorder $73,226 (3.98% increase)

Sheriff $100,238 (3.63% increase)

Supervisors $38,493 (2.7% increase)

Sup. Chair $1,500 (Same)

Treasurer $74,286 (3.96% increase)

Money for signs

Upon the recommendation of County Engineer Jacob Thorius, the supervisors approved a resolution that will bring $10,000 in Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) grant money to Washington County this summer to replace signs that have been identified as deficient by IDOT. The signing materials will be installed by the county.

New 28E Agreement

The board entered into a new 28E agreement with Keokuk County to help fund a $250,000 gravel road improvement project on the Keokuk-Washington Road from Highway 22 south to 150th Street. Sieren Pork is located on the road and has agreed to pay half of the cost of the improvement with each of the counties agreeing to split the other half. Keokuk County will manage the project.

Other Business

In other business, the board:

*Approved a letter of support for annexation of real estate by the City of Kalona;

*Approved a tower location lease with the Wellman Cooperative Telephone Association and

*Approved a 28E agreement with the Joint Emergency Communications Services Associations of Johnson County regarding construction and operation of a county-wide emergency radio system.