NORTHWOOD — Worth County supervisors have moved another major step toward financing a new county administration building, setting an October public hearing on a proposal to borrow up to $6 million while also approving more than $246,000 in county claims and filling the county recorder’s office ahead of the November election.
Supervisors Mark Smeby, A.J. Stone and Enos Loberg were present for the September 28 meeting, with recorded actions approved unanimously.
Up to $6 million in borrowing proposed
The board approved Resolution 2026-32, beginning proceedings for a General Obligation Urban Renewal Loan Agreement and bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $6 million for the County Administration Building Project.
A public hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. October 12 in the Worth County Courthouse Board of Supervisors’ Room in Northwood. The county’s notice says residents may submit oral or written objections to the borrowing proposal, and state law also provides a process for filing a petition asking that the question be submitted to Worth County voters.
The county estimates that borrowing the full amount would result in an annual property-tax increase of $61.39 on a residential property with an actual valuation of $100,000, although supervisors could choose to use other available revenues to pay some or all of the debt service in a given year.
NorthIowaToday.com previously reported that Worth County supervisors were moving toward tax-increment financing and other steps tied to the new administration building.
NIT also reported that supervisors later set bid dates for the administration building project while advancing additional county business.
Recorder appointment approved
The board also filled a pending vacancy in the Worth County Recorder’s Office.
County Recorder Teresa Olson was scheduled to resign effective September 30. Supervisors approved Resolution 2026-30 appointing Jolene Hickle as Worth County Recorder effective October 1, with Hickle to serve until an elected candidate takes office following the November 2026 election.
The board then approved Hickle’s appointment of Sara Christianson as deputy Worth County recorder, also effective October 1.
NIT previously reported that supervisors had scheduled the recorder appointment for the September 28 meeting.
Salary changes approved
Supervisors approved three salary changes submitted by the sheriff:
- Marilyn Stayner — $33.21 per hour, effective September 25.
- Dave Ryerson — $93,411.60 per year, effective September 28.
- Lisa Boeckholt — $28.16 per hour, effective October 19.
Drainage and manure management actions
The board approved a work order for Drainage District 11 E/34 submitted by John Patterson.
Supervisors also acknowledged and placed on file a manure management plan update for Indigo Family Farms #59283.
$246,419 in county claims approved
Supervisors approved $246,419.34 in claims.
Some of the largest payments included:
- Ulland Brothers Inc. — rock-engineering — $91,438.02
- Metal Culverts Inc. — supplies-engineering — $30,976.00
- Veenstra & Kimm Inc. — capital project service — $19,503.49
- Cemstone Concrete Materials LLC — supplies-engineering — $12,090.00
- A1 Excavating & Drainage Inc. — engineering service — $10,950.00
- AgVantage FS Inc. — fuel-engineering — $8,774.53
- D & L Equipment — parts-conservation — $8,723.30
- Alliant Energy — service-general services — $8,278.03
- Visa — service-sheriff — $6,095.79
- Mason City Red Power Inc. — parts-engineering — $4,963.25
- Otis Elevator Company — service-general services — $3,200.00
- HM Cragg — service-emergency management — $3,067.00
- Hovey’s Lawn & Garden — service-conservation — $2,950.00
- State Medical Examiner’s Office — service-medical examiner — $2,467.00
- Waste Management of Iowa Inc. — service-solid waste — $2,266.25
- Trading Post — supplies-engineering — $2,121.84
- ISAC — education-engineering — $2,050.00
- Ryan Kesler — service-sanitation — $1,960.00
- Gordy’s Repair & Implement Ltd. — parts-engineering — $1,871.64
- Croell Inc. — supplies-engineering — $1,861.75
- BMC Aggregates LLC — rock-engineering — $1,766.07
- Joe’s Collision & Performance Inc. — service-sheriff — $1,440.27
- Willson & Pechacek PLC — service-assessor — $1,407.90
- Certified Laboratories — supplies-engineering — $1,256.00
- John Deere Financial — supplies — $1,116.30
- Reserve Account — postage-treasurer — $1,000.00
The full claims schedule also included numerous smaller payments for county engineering, conservation, sheriff, assessor, sanitation, juvenile justice, information technology and other county operations.
The meeting adjourned at 9:04 a.m.