NORTHWOOD — Worth County supervisors advanced several major capital projects on October 5, approving more construction spending, moving ahead with roughly $6 million in proposed general obligation borrowing and formally expanding the county’s urban renewal area to support a new administration building and RV park.
Supervisors Mark Smeby, A.J. Stone and Enos Loberg were all present for the meeting, with recorded actions approved unanimously.
Administration building financing moves forward
The board approved a letter engaging Dorsey + Whitney LLP as bond counsel for Worth County’s proposed general obligation borrowing in the approximate principal amount of $6 million.
Northland Securities Inc. is expected to serve as underwriter, with UMB Financial Services acting as the county’s municipal financial adviser.
NorthIowaToday.com previously reported that supervisors set an October public hearing and began proceedings for up to $6 million in borrowing tied to the County Administration Building Project.
The October 5 meeting adds another concrete financing step to that process.
Urban renewal area expanded after public hearing
Supervisors opened a public hearing at 9 a.m. on the proposed expansion of the Worth County Consolidated Urban Renewal Area and an amendment to the county’s urban renewal plan.
No public comments were received. The hearing closed at 9:03 a.m.
The board then approved Resolution 2026-33, declaring the added property an economic development area and formally expanding the urban renewal area.
The amendment authorizes the county to use tax increment financing for two major projects: construction, furnishing and equipping of a new RV park, and construction, furnishing and equipping of the new County Administration Building.
NIT previously reported that Worth County was moving toward TIF financing for both the RV park and administration building projects.
RV park TIF use could reach $700,000
The county’s urban renewal amendment says the planned RV park would be constructed and equipped on property added to the expanded urban renewal area.
County officials say the project is intended to improve recreational amenities and support commerce and economic development.
The county anticipates using borrowed money and/or an internal advance of county funds, with repayment coming from incremental property tax revenues.
The plan says the county’s use of TIF revenues for the RV Park Project is not expected to exceed $700,000, plus any interest associated with financing.
The county also expects to use an internal advance and a Worth County Development Authority grant to help finance the project.
Administration building TIF authority could reach $10 million
The administration building project would be located in Northwood on property bounded by 1st Avenue North, 11th Street North, Central Avenue North and 10th Street North.
The county plans to use its urban renewal authority to support general obligation bonds for the project and repay a portion of the debt service using incremental property tax revenues.
The amendment states that Worth County’s use of TIF revenues for the administration building is not anticipated to exceed $10 million, plus interest expense on the bonds.
County officials argue that using TIF for part of the debt service will reduce pressure on the debt service levy and shift part of the burden toward valuation growth generated by economic development.
The plan also states that the county’s existing administrative facilities are inadequate, outdated and undersized.
Debt figures laid out
The urban renewal amendment lists Worth County’s constitutional debt limit at $85,904,752.
Outstanding general obligation debt is listed at $8,505,000.
The plan identifies $10.7 million in proposed debt connected with the amendment.
Construction spending climbs
The board also approved Change Order No. 1 for Madsen Construction in the amount of $96,409.40.
That raises the total contract amount for the Engineer & Conservation Office Building Project to $1,432,064.40.
Supervisors also approved Pay Estimate No. 10 for Madsen Construction in the amount of $449,145.18.
A separate Pay Estimate No. 10 for the Secondary Roads Maintenance Facility was approved for Cresco Building Service in the amount of $485,968.06.
Drainage and winery license approved
The board approved a work order for Drainage District 22 Joint submitted by Brandon Diedrich on behalf of landowner Glen Staff.
Supervisors also approved a Special Class “C” Retail Native Wine License for Lazy Acre Vineyard LLC.
The meeting adjourned at 9:13 a.m.