Board of Supervisors accepts bond bid

MT. PLEASANT — Tuesday’s Henry County Board of Supervisor meeting consisted of accepting a bid for a large loan and awarding state funds throughout the county.

The board accepted a bid for the $600,000 general obligation loan.

Packets for these bids were sent to local banks June 17, the bids were received by June 23, and right on time, the bid was awarded June 28.

The accepted bid came from Wayland State Bank with an interest rate of 2.95%

The loan’s interest cost totals $31,014, which makes the loan higher than originally anticipated, however, County Auditor Shelly Barber assured the board that considering the current financial state, the rate is fair.

“At the time [numbers were first projected] interest rates were lower,” Barber said of the original proposal being less.

While the numbers were different from originally planned, the plan remains to use the money for three new storage structures for the county roads department.

Additionally, the board awarded funds from America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Henry County received just under $2 million of ARPA funds to use in the public interest for recovery from the negative impact of COVID-19.

Some of the funds were disbursed with a motion by board member Marc Lindeen and seconded by Chad White.

$91,110 were awarded to the digitization of county records, $95,043 will go toward election equipment, and county phone systems will be updated with the awarded amount of $86,820.

The Mt. Pleasant Courthouse window repairs will be funded through ARPA funds of $17,218, and Public Health will receive $1,551 toward a new printer copier.

Wayland Area Child Care Organization was awarded $200,000.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com