MidAmerican plant can construct on Union County roads

Following approval from Wednesday’s meeting, Union County roads can be used for an Orient energy center being built by MidAmerican Energy.

Union County Engineer Christian Boehmer discussed the combustion plant’s road use agreement with county supervisors, presenting the title sheet and project plans which use Union County roads.

The plant is located on the county line between Adair and Union counties at northeast corner of the intersection of Adair-Union and Orange avenues. The total project cost was described last year as $600 million with a planned energy output of 520 megawatts.

Boehmer said the center will be built in two phases. A base and intermediate will be built this year, with the full plant receiving construction within the next few years. Construction will be sponsored by MidAmerican and administrated by Adair County.

In other secondary roads news, Roads Superintendent Al Hysell presented fuel quotes for diesel and gas the department will use for 2026. The county will use Agriland FS for $328,367.

Two candidates for roads employees, Tyler Miller and Garrett Kalvid, will be added to county staff. Attitude to learn was a positive from both candidates, with Hysell saying it will help in the training process.

In other Union County news...

Sheriff Brian Bolton presented the name of a jail employee hire, Isaias Ramos from Lenox, who will join the Union County Jail staff. This is the second jail hire since interviews have conducted to fill open positions. Bolton said he was impressed with Ramos’ communication skills.

With a county correctional officer leaving in March which will prompt shuffling positions, Bolton also named another candidate, Tristan Randall, who they will hire when that time comes.

Bolton said he’s willing to reopen discussions on moving dispatch under county purview, naming benefits in cross-training employees between the jail and dispatch. Dispatch is controlled by the city of Creston.

A public hearing was set for the Feb. 4 regular meeting for the final round of ordinance review, approving ordinances 50-99. The update will cover the fewest changes out of the three rounds so far, with only one ordinance, 90.2 - agricultural area applications filing fees, removed completely.

The county received two sewer repair bids for the CARE building in Afton. Hoffman Communications were approved for the project with a bid of $1,550. The building’s sewer was in need of immediate repairs; Hoffman is expected to start maintenance immediately.