FOREST CITY — A troubled drainage system shared by Winnebago and Kossuth counties could require approximately $100,000 in work just to remove accumulated silt and restore the waterway to its original grade.
The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors met at 9 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2026, with Supervisors Bill Jensvold, Terry Durby and Susan Smith present.
The board joined Kossuth County officials to discuss Drainage District 35-89, Lateral 12.
Engineer Collin Klingbeil of Jacobson-Westergard reported that the waterway is heavily silted and extremely flat. Some portions reportedly contain approximately 18 inches of accumulated silt.
Restoring the waterway to its original grade is expected to cost approximately $100,000.
Klingbeil said the original drainage tile was installed inadequately. For the district to operate correctly, officials may need to construct an open ditch or install a tile measuring 78 inches in diameter.
Klingbeil is the fifth engineer to examine the troublesome drainage system in recent history.
The joint boards unanimously accepted the engineering report and scheduled a public hearing for 9 a.m. Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Jensvold made the motion for Winnebago County, and Kossuth County Supervisor Kyle Stecker seconded it.
Drainage systems and infrastructure projects have remained frequent topics for the Winnebago County board. In April, supervisors awarded a bridge contract and addressed several other drainage concerns.
County Auditor Karla Weiss also discussed a requested culvert associated with repairs to Drainage District 1. Helgeson Drainage will add the culvert to its repair estimate.
County Engineer Scott Meinders reported that crews are installing two new box culverts south of Buffalo Center. The project was also discussed during the board’s July 28 meeting.
Supervisors unanimously approved an amendment to Ordinance No. 5. The minutes did not describe the substance of the amendment.
The board tabled discussion about creating new funds for the county assessor’s office to account for FICA and IPERS expenses. The matter will remain on hold until the county Conference Board meets.
Supervisors also unanimously approved the review of a Veterans Affairs employee.
The board approved $94,477.39 in claims and acknowledged receipt of a manure management plan for Mathahs Site 1, facility No. 64161.
The meeting adjourned until 9 a.m. Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
COUNTY CLAIMS AND EXPENSES
Ag Advantage Systems Inc. — Services — $1,282.50
Ahlers & Cooney PC — Services — $75.00
Alliant Energy — Utilities — $64.85
Allison Rice — Mileage — $234.56
Amazon Capital Services — Supplies — $818.64
AT&T Mobility — Telephone — $303.93
Austin Office Products — Supplies — $31.09
Barb Wolf — Mileage — $421.04
Black Hills Energy — Utilities — $172.00
City of Forest City — Utilities — $6,020.67
City of Lake Mills — Utilities — $193.68
City of Thompson — Utilities — $173.10
David Peterson — Meeting — $56.92
Duncan Heights Inc. — Services — $342.00
Forest City Vet Clinic — Services — $176.87
FP Mailing — Services — $98.85
Hancock County Health System — Services — $5,641.20
Hanson LP Gas LLC — Fuel — $373.17
Hawkeye Communication — Services — $184.22
Heather Smith — Mileage — $102.52
Hoffman Rentals LLC — Rent — $535.00
ICIT — Dues — $50.00
IMWCA — Services — $5,181.00
Iowa Communications Network — Services — $550.00
Jack’s OK Tire Service — Parts — $1,121.54
Jaclyn Koeppen — Mileage — $134.67
Jennifer Johnson — Mileage — $277.32
Julie Sorenson — Reimbursement — $40.00
Kenna Baez — Mileage — $36.78
Kristine Schwartz — Mileage — $629.20
Krystal Wempen — Mileage — $1,049.56
Lake Mills PT — Services — $1,708.16
Language Line Services — Services — $183.55
Mary Lou Kleveland — Mileage — $122.12
Meaghan Welter — Mileage — $18.39
Medline Industries Inc. — Supplies — $1,094.06
Melissa Vaudt — Mileage — $946.12
Melissa Warren — Mileage — $244.12
Midwest Waste LLC — Services — $2,000.00
Next Generation Tech — Services — $493.20
North Iowa Regional Housing — Rent — $1,100.00
Northern Iowa Construction Products — Supplies — $34,485.00
Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center — Services — $1,000.00
Peterson Sanitation Inc. — Services — $158.90
Rhonda Schriever — Mileage — $242.36
Safety-Kleen Systems Inc. — Services — $396.08
Sanity Solutions Inc. — Services — $7,477.44
Sector LLC — Services — $585.83
Splashtop Inc. — Services — $2,528.10
Steve Bosma — Meeting — $67.56
Suzanne McColloch — Mileage — $295.75
T-Mobile — Telephone — $53.62
Troy Thompson — Meeting — $32.60
Truck Center Companies — Parts — $777.86
Valarie Holkesvik — Mileage — $45.60
Verizon Wireless — Telephone — $40.01
Visa — Supplies — $1,498.89
WCTA — Telephone — $1,721.39
Weavers Leather Store — Supplies — $269.95
Webster County Auditor — Services — $761.58
Winnebago County Tribune — Advertising — $302.42
Winngate Apartments — Rent — $504.00
Youth & Shelter Services Inc. — Services — $6,950.85