CHARLES CITY — Floyd County supervisors are giving themselves more time to write rules for large battery energy storage projects while county road crews push ahead with fall work and officials continue exploring a new Secondary Roads facility in Nora Springs.
Supervisors Gloria Carr, Boyd Campbell and Frank Rottinghaus met September 15 at the Floyd County Courthouse and unanimously approved an extension of the county’s moratorium on Battery Energy Storage System, or BESS, applications and permits.
The moratorium will now remain in effect through December 29, 2026, unless supervisors modify or repeal it earlier.
County continues work on battery storage rules
Zoning Administrator Jessy Willadsen told supervisors the county’s BESS review has included educational sessions, facility tours, panel discussions and meetings with energy companies.
The goal is to develop regulations that protect the county while remaining flexible enough to deal with battery-storage technology as it changes.
Carr reported that discussions with John Robbins indicated a proposed ordinance amendment could be ready for supervisors to consider before the end of the year.
The three supervisors have been studying the issue for months. NIT previously reported that Carr, Campbell and Rottinghaus toured Corn Belt Power Cooperative’s battery energy storage facility in Hampton as the county examined how such projects operate.
Nora Springs road shop plans moving forward
County Engineer Adam Miller also updated supervisors on plans for a possible new Secondary Roads shop in Nora Springs.
A preliminary survey has been completed for a potential land swap, while discussions continue with the City of Nora Springs about developing a shared facility.
Formal construction estimates have not yet been obtained, but preliminary figures have been developed for the building along with water and sewer connections.
The Nora Springs facility has been under discussion for months. NIT reported earlier this summer that Floyd County was examining replacements for aging Secondary Roads shops in Nora Springs and Marble Rock, with Nora Springs receiving priority.
Fall road work continues across Floyd County
Miller said road crews have completed a second round of gravel-road mowing and are addressing edge rutting along with rock requests and shoulder rut repairs.
River Road has been prepared for patching, with deteriorated pavement removed and replaced with suitable fill material. That project is expected to be completed this fall.
Work is also continuing on the bridge project south of Rudd on 170th Street.
Milling was underway on the Packard Avenue, or T47, resurfacing project, with paving expected to begin soon.
Floyd County has been pushing through a substantial list of road and bridge work this year. NIT recently reported on additional bridge and resurfacing projects along with nearly $1 million in rock expenses approved by supervisors.
The county has also posted a Secondary Roads foreman opening following a retirement, with Weed Commissioner duties incorporated into the position.
Secondary Roads employee Dennis Willert is scheduled to retire October 2.
Supervisors also noted a union-contract wage increase for employee Joseph Hammond, whose pay rises from $31.44 per hour to $33.08 per hour effective September 16.
The board approved spending an estimated $175 for pizza, pop and water for about 31 Secondary Roads employees attending a September 30 safety meeting that will include outside and internal safety training.
County parcel goes for $17.78
Supervisors held a public hearing on the disposition of county Parcel 120632900500.
Carr reported previous discussions concerning a proposed $20 purchase of the property.
After the hearing, supervisors unanimously approved transferring the parcel to Jacob D. Winters for $17.78, equal to the county’s publication cost, and directed the county attorney to prepare the deed.
NIT previously reported when supervisors scheduled the September 15 hearing on the property.
Supervisors also received an update on Tax Sale Certificate #1982-99005 involving Parcel 141610601500. Research determined that an Auditor’s Plat is no longer required, and the county attorney will coordinate the next steps.
Drainage work approved
Following additional discussion of Drainage District 3 Main Open Ditch, supervisors directed Secondary Roads to investigate and install animal guards on mutual tiles.
Costs will be divided between the appropriate laterals and the main drainage system.
The county also approved several drainage expenses, including $1,109.52 for a Drainage District 13 main tile repair, $794.37 for a Drainage District 25 main outlet repair, $1,048.01 for replacement of a 12-inch tile in Drainage District 3 and $1,056.41 for a Drainage District 7 main tile repair.
$3,547 tax refund approved
Supervisors approved a $3,547 property tax refund involving Parcel 071030000500.
The refund covers taxes overpaid during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 tax years, and the county treasurer was directed to process the payment.
The board also scheduled a public hearing on a fiscal year 2027 budget amendment for October 30 at 9:15 AM at the Floyd County Courthouse.
County claims approved
Supervisors unanimously approved County claims #447-577, Engineer claims #10129-10170 and Drainage claims #15464-15465.
Among the larger expenses were $420,650.79 to Murphy for equipment, $400,358.07 to Bruening for rock, $252,397.88 to PCI for a project, $155,287.80 to EBS for FCEHPT, $54,444.07 to AgVantage for fuel and $29,450.25 to Solutions for support.
- AgVantage — Fuel — $54,444.07
- Ahlers — Legal — $1,500.00
- Alliant — Electric — $321.42
- Amazon — Supplies — $454.07
- TEK/AMR — Services — $22,083.33
- Bear Creek — Consulting — $1,668.00
- Bruening — Rock — $400,358.07
- REC — Electric — $1,725.35
- Carquest — Parts — $717.76
- CenturyLink — Phone — $1,186.39
- CNH Industrial — Parts — $1,133.40
- Continental Fire — Services — $2,630.00
- EBS — FCEHPT — $155,287.80
- Fareway — Food — $1,605.66
- Farmers New Ag — Chemicals — $1,449.70
- Floyd County General — Postage — $1,505.79
- Fullerton Funeral — Services — $2,946.00
- Heartland Tire — Service — $1,408.00
- Hugeback-Johnson — Burial — $995.00
- IAMU — Services — $2,956.00
- Iowa DOT — Parts — $1,320.25
- Secretary of State — Maintenance — $1,840.57
- Jendro — Disposal — $3,933.35
- Kanrad Tech — Software — $1,500.00
- M & K Truck Centers — Parts — $2,986.91
- Mail Services — Renewals — $5,843.41
- Marco — Maintenance — $5,891.23
- Mark’s T&I — Equipment — $15,352.68
- MidTech — Equipment — $1,777.96
- MidAmerican — Utilities — $9,111.65
- Mike’s Welding — $2,047.50
- Murphy — Equipment — $420,650.79
- Viafield — Fuel — $4,926.28
- Omnitel — Phone — $3,823.24
- PCI — Project — $252,397.88
- Petroblend — Parts — $1,443.55
- Pitney Bowes — Postage — $1,419.75
- Sadler — Parts — $9,777.92
- Solutions — Support — $29,450.25
- T-Mobile — Service — $1,737.85
- Visa — Miscellaneous — $2,802.00
- Wex Bank — Fuel — $5,868.06
- Ziegler — Parts — $928.96
The board adjourned its regular meeting at 10:29 AM.
Immediately afterward, supervisors also served as the Floyd County Board of Canvassers for the September 8 Osage Community School District special election. Only two ballots were cast in the Floyd County portion of the district, with both voters supporting Public Measure PJ. Supervisors certified the results unanimously.