Supervisors approve budget amendment, open bids for pair of summer road projects

by Bob Beach

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing Monday, May 18 regarding the amendment of the County’s budget for fiscal year 2015. Hearing no comments from the public, the Board closed the public hearing and then unanimously approved adoption of the amended budget and appropriation resolution.
Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour was present for the opening of bids for two Secondary Roads projects. Brennan Construction of Lansing was the sole bidder for a bridge deck replacement on Bethel Bridge north of Postville with a bid of $99,705.03. Skyline Construction of Decorah was the low bidder for full-depth concrete patching in various locations throughout the county at $161,015.71. Also bidding were Cedar Falls Construction of Cedar Falls ($169,222.99), Rolling Hills Concrete Construction of Waukon ($169,952.93), Wicks Construction of Decorah ($202,555.14) and Riehm Construction of Waukon ($211,502.00). Ridenour had estimated the project cost at approximately $197,639 and said he would review the bids and make a recommendation to the Board at its next regular meeting.
The Board also discussed a request for funding assistance from the Iowa Drainage District Association for the legal defense of three Iowa counties that are being sued by the Des Moines Waterworks for excessive nitrate pollution. Supervisor Dan Byrnes suggested that the Board should stay informed about the ongoing litigation but not commit any funds at this time. Chairman Larry Schellhammer and Supervisor Dennis Koenig agreed with Byrnes, adding that the lawsuit would have far-reaching implications for drainage districts across Iowa. The Board tabled the funding request for the time being.
In other business, the Board approved of a maintenance agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation and the City of Waukon for snow and ice control on various shared roadways, the same agreement that has been in place for several years. The Board also listened to a brief presentation by Dan Balm, representing America’s Renewable Future, a non-partisan group committed to supporting candidates for elective office who support the federal Renewable Fuel Standard.