Supervisors award contract to patch major county roads

The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors met with county engineer Scott Cline during Monday's meeting and agreed to award the $115,897 contract to Denco Highway Construction Corporation of Mingo for PCC Patching on the Packwood, Brookville, and Germanville roads.

Cline expects this work to begin soon as Denco has a crew available.

The board passed a resolution to award the $520,000 contract to Iowa Bridge and Culvert for replacing the Walnut Creek Bridge on Peach Avenue. Cline said he must now submit this board decision for the Iowa Department of Transportation to concur. The contractor has until April 2020, but it is possible they could begin this fall 2019.

Also, Cline advised one bridge on Episcia Avenue where road turns to dirt and another bridge close by on 136th Street are ready to be replaced with railroad tanker car pipes next week.

The board approved the purchase of a pickup truck for the Secondary Roads Department.

The supervisors approved an agreement whereby 29 percent of Mental Health Officer Sandy Stever's wages and benefits will come from Jefferson County and the rest from Van Buren County.

During committee reports, Dimmitt informed the others that 10-15 Transit is working to form a plan for veterans' transportation going to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Iowa City. Due to recent legislation, veterans can go to Mercy Medical Center or University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics if the services they need are not available at the VA. 10-15 Transit has flexibility to offer reduced cost to fill this transportation need which private carriers cannot.

Supervisor Daryn Hamilton reported that the state inspector is scheduled to be at the courthouse July 12 to review the elevator mechanical room and the whole working process of vertical movement of the elevator. He anticipates county offices which had to temporarily relocate will be able to return to the courthouse by the end of July or the first week in August, and with the help of the new elevator.

All courthouse offices are closed Thursday for Independence Day.