MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors removed two items tied to a massive proposed solar project from Monday’s agenda before approving more than $377,000 in county claims and several payroll changes.
The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors met October 5 with Chairman Casey Callanan, Vice Chairman Carl Ginapp and Supervisor Chris Watts present.
The meeting lasted just nine minutes, but one of the most notable actions came at the beginning when supervisors altered the agenda to exclude two items involving Ranger Power and drainage district right-of-way applications.
The move comes just days after NorthIowaToday.com reported that a Chicago-based solar developer is seeking access to Cerro Gordo County drainage districts for a proposed 500-megawatt project.
Solar drainage review items pulled from agenda
Vice Chairman Carl Ginapp initially moved to approve the agenda and minutes from the September 28 meeting, but the motion failed for lack of a second.
Supervisor Chris Watts then made a new motion, seconded by Callanan, approving the agenda after removing Item 4a and Item 4b.
The removed items would have appointed a drainage engineer to review Ranger Power’s drainage district right-of-way application and appointed a drainage attorney to assist with review of Ranger Power’s drainage district right-of-way easement application.
The amended agenda and September 28 meeting minutes were then approved unanimously.
No reason for removing the two Ranger Power items is stated in the official minutes.
The proposed project has already drawn attention because River City Energy, LLC, which lists Ranger Power personnel as project contacts, is seeking right-of-way easements involving Drainage Districts 19, 21, 45 and 71.
Project materials describe a utility-scale solar facility capable of producing up to 500 megawatts.
County approves $377,447 in claims
Supervisors unanimously approved county claims totaling $377,447.75.
Among the largest expenditures were:
- Wellmark Blue Cross — $84,000 for purchased services
- City of Mason City — $23,967.50 contribution
- SHI International — $22,077 for cybersecurity
- B-Three Solutions — $16,737.50 for equipment
- Dickinson Bradshaw — $16,500 for legal services
- Mason City Shopping Center — $15,309.13 in rent
- Shipman Gutters — $14,882
- NuWay-K&H Co-op — $12,612.35 for fuels
- Clear Lake Public Library — $11,739.50 contribution
- Tierney South — $11,445 in rent
- Callahan Municipal Consultants — $11,010 for consulting
The latest claims total follows the board’s September 28 meeting, when supervisors approved more than $565,000 in county claims and reviewed a manure management plan.
Libraries receive county contributions
Several public libraries also received county contributions in the October 5 claims.
Those included $11,739.50 for the Clear Lake Public Library, $5,613 for the Rockwell Public Library, $5,071.75 for the Ventura Public Library, $3,273 for the Thornton Public Library, $2,885 for the Meservey Public Library and $2,356.25 for the Swaledale Public Library.
Other significant claims included $7,219.97 to Summit Food Service for food and provisions, $7,033.85 to Lutheran Services in Iowa for an Early Childhood Iowa home visitation program and $6,884.10 to Consolidated Energy for fuels.
Five Auditor’s Office workers set at $13 per hour
The board unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-65 approving payroll changes for five Auditor’s Office employees.
Carolee Franta, Sue Paulson, Tricia Sandahl, Terri Engels and Sue Wyborny were each listed at $13 per hour effective October 5.
The resolution directs the county auditor to make the necessary payroll adjustments.
Quarterly fee reports approved
Supervisors also approved the Auditor’s Quarterly Report of Fees, Recorder’s Quarterly Report of Fees and Sheriff’s Quarterly Report of Fees.
County Engineer Brandon Billings provided an update, although the official minutes do not include details of his remarks.
The board held a public comment period, but the minutes do not describe what, if anything, was discussed.
The meeting adjourned at 10:09 a.m.
The October 5 meeting continues a busy stretch for Cerro Gordo County government, including recent road, drainage, development and environmental matters. NIT has also been following the board’s ongoing county spending and infrastructure decisions, including its approval earlier this year of a $757,000 bridge contract and other major county projects.