June 30, 2025
Local NewsState & National

Supervisors question DHS change order

By REGINA SMITH

Jim Hymbaugh, left, the contractor for the renovations at the new Department of Human Services building speaks to Jerry Purdy, center, and Nathan Doggett of Farnsworth Group. (CNA photo)

A $14,150 change order to the Department of Human Services building caused questions at the Union County Board of Supervisors meeting Monday.

Hymbaugh Construction is overseeing the renovations at 201 N. Elm St. Jim Hymbaugh presented the change order, which included additional funding for waterproofing a wall, additional painting and 18 additional chairs. The order was supposed to add 30 working days to the construction deadline due to delays in receiving the carpet to be installed Hymbaugh said.

Supervisor Ron Riley had spoken to Pauline Rutherford from DHS about whether the changes would put the project over its original budget. He said he had not received an answer from her yet.

The board agreed to move the change order to next week's agenda in order to receive a corrected order and have time to answer their questions regarding the budget.

Culvert bids

Road work to recover from this year's flooding continues on Union County's secondary roads. Many of the unfinished projects include replacing damaged culverts.

The supervisors opened sealed bids for the culvert materials.

After the discovery of an math error in the bid by Contech Engineered Solutions of Ankeny that raised their bid from $183, 979.20 to $253,824.91, Union County Engineer Zach Gunsolley recommended the board award the culvert materials bid to Metal Culverts with a bid of $203,408.30. The board voted to accept the recommendation and award the bid to Metal Culverts.

The board approved two utility permits on secondary roads: Mt. Pisgah for a new Southern Iowa Rural Water Association water service line and 12 Mile Lake Road for a replacement Windstream line.

End of fiscal year update

Union County ended the fiscal year June 30 with $7 million in its capital projects fund. This money is slated in part for the emergency communication system that is being updated.

Much of the money held in reserve by the county is in the Iowa Public Agency Investment Trust that is currently receiving 2.05% interest.

Union County Treasurer Kelly Busch reported that there were no glaring errors at the fiscal year end, only a small payroll issue.

Property tax bills will be mailed Aug. 14, Busch said.

In other business:

• The board renewed Lakeshore Golf Club's liquor license and approved the veterans monthly report and the clerk's report.

• Union County Attorney Tim Kenyon spoke of the need for an assistant, citing the current case load in his office.

•The Union County Board of Supervisors meets weekly, 9 a.m. Monday inside the Union County Courthouse, 300 N. Pine St.