FOREST CITY — The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of a new motor grader, adopted fiscal year 2026 drainage levies and discussed concerns over reduced state funding for emergency medical services during its Tuesday, July 14, 2026, meeting.
Supervisors Bill Jensvold, Terry Durby and Susan Smith were all present for the 9 a.m. meeting.
One of the largest financial actions of the morning involved the county Secondary Road Department.
The supervisors unanimously approved the purchase of a 2026 Caterpillar 140-15JOY AWD motor grader from Ziegler Cat of Mason City for $453,318.64.
The county will trade in a 2001 Cat 140H motor grader for a $60,200 credit, leaving a net cost of $393,118.64.
The purchase will be paid from the county’s fiscal year 2027 budget.
County Engineer Scott Meinders and Maintenance Supervisor Ethan Schutter also updated supervisors on several road department matters.
Road striping was underway, while additional road painting is expected to be completed after the county finishes its construction work for the year.
Meinders also discussed insurance coverage with Heyer Speer, a possible land purchase that would provide an area for burning trees and storing rock, and survey work involving the village of Norman.
The board also approved fiscal year 2026 assessments for numerous drainage districts after Drainage Clerk Kris Oswald discussed drainage matters with supervisors.
The resolution states that outstanding warrants and claims have left insufficient funds in a number of drainage district accounts, requiring assessments against benefited land, property, highways and railroads.
The assessments are to be collected with taxes payable in 2026. Landowners whose assessment exceeds $500 may contact the Winnebago County Auditor within 30 days of receiving their tax statement to discuss a payment plan.
Supervisors also approved the county treasurer’s semi-annual report.
Another issue drawing discussion involved funding for emergency medical services.
According to the meeting minutes, supervisors discussed the Iowa Department of Management reducing the amount of money going to EMS and agreed to work with the Iowa State Association of Counties on the issue.
Rural recycling also returned to the board’s agenda. No final action was taken, and supervisors agreed to revisit the matter in two weeks.
The board discussed installing a monitor for displaying meeting agendas, with county IT staff member Brody Hopp expected to install the equipment.
Chris Barber with Winnebago County Conservation also met with the board along with representatives of Legge Farm and Drainage to discuss weed spraying.
The supervisors approved payroll claims before adjourning until 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 21.
COUNTY CLAIMS AND EXPENSES
The board approved the following claims totaling $91,779.53:
AH Hermel Co. — Supplies — $843.46
Amazon Capital Services — Supplies — $432.18
AT&T Mobility — Telephone — $303.93
Bill Jensvold — Mileage — $444.90
Black Hills Energy — Utilities — $225.50
City of Forest City — Utilities — $139.65
Culligan — Supplies — $80.80
Dan Olson Contracting — Services — $2,000.00
Five-Star Cooperative — Fuel — $259.81
Galls LLC — Supplies — $127.16
Gold Eagle Coop — Fuel — $2,728.73
Iowa County Attorney Case Management Project — Dues — $9,925.00
ICUBE — Dues — $200.00
Interstate Power Systems Inc. — Services — $3,044.56
Intoximeters Inc. — Supplies — $135.00
Iowa Division of Labor Services — Services — $160.00
IP Pathways — Services — $169.18
ISAC — Education — $275.00
ISCTA — Dues — $250.00
Lake Mills Lumber Co. — Supplies — $54.40
NIACOG — Services — $27,126.73
North Central Regional Emergency Response Commission — Services — $8,756.78
Peterson Sanitation Inc. — Services — $227.74
Plunketts Inc. — Services — $780.77
Ricoh USA Inc. — Services — $490.45
Schneider Geospatial LLC — Services — $30,949.20
Schumacher Elevator Co. — Services — $278.68
State Hygienic Laboratory — Services — $107.00
Valarie Holkesvik — Mileage — $58.00
Visa — Supplies — $1,121.96
Visual Edge IT — Services — $35.20
WCTA — Telephone — $47.76
The official minutes show all three supervisors were present and document the drainage levies, secondary road matters and other actions taken July 14. The minutes also list the county claims and note that payroll claims were unanimously approved before adjournment.