Washington supervisors declare disaster due to derecho storm

The Washington County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution proclaiming a weather disaster during its regular meeting held Tuesday.

The resolution was passed for county residents and government entities to receive aid if they suffered damages in the wind storm Monday, Aug. 10. The resolution stated that the storm caused severe damage to public and private property, disrupted utility services and endangered the health and safety of cities in the county.

It further stated that Gov. Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster declaration for the county.

COVID-19

During a public comment session, Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen asked the board to amend its weekly agenda to remove a standing item to discuss the COVID-19 which has been on the agenda since the outbreak of the virus.

She said the public could get information about the virus on her agency's website. The board took no action on the suggestion.

County Engineer

County Engineer Jacob Thorius delivered a quarterly report on his department's activities. During the months of April through June, the department hauled 51,236 tons of rock, or 11,000 tons more than a year ago. Crews removed several downed trees from various roads, patched paved roads and pavement blowups.

Snow removal costs for the quarter were $6,034.42. Costs for all of 2019-20 were $311,433.26 or about half or what was spent the previous winter.

Numerous construction projects are underway. The largest is a public-private partnership project with Premier One to pave about 3 miles of county roads leading to Premier at a cost of $1.6 million. The contract for that job has been awarded to Jones Contracting Corporation.

Other Business

In other business, the supervisors:

' Approved the hiring of Cindy Chauvez as a food specialist in the Environmental Health Department at a wage of $17 an hour.

' Appointed Terry Phillips to another three-year term on the Washington County Veterans Affairs Commission.

' Heard a COVID-19 update.