NORTHWOOD — Worth County supervisors took another major step toward financing a new county administration building Monday, October 12, 2026, unanimously approving a resolution that advances plans to issue up to $6 million in general obligation bonds while also approving more than $1.3 million in county and drainage claims.
The decisions came during a meeting that included a public hearing on the proposed borrowing, authorization for the next steps in the bond sale and substantial payments to construction contractors.
Supervisors Enos Loberg, Mark Smeby and A.J. Stone were all present, and the bond resolution passed unanimously.
Supervisors move forward with $6 million bond proposal
The board approved Resolution 2026-36, taking additional action toward entering a General Obligation Urban Renewal Loan Agreement to finance the Worth County Administration Building Project.
The proposal authorizes proceedings for general obligation bonds with a principal amount not exceeding $6 million.
The county intends to use the financing for its new administration building, a project previously designated as an urban renewal undertaking.
The resolution sets a maximum true interest cost of 5.25% for the bonds. It also authorizes county officials to prepare and execute the necessary bond purchase documents, with final terms to be determined as the financing moves forward.
Northland Securities Inc. is identified as the underwriter.
The board’s action follows several weeks of work on the administration building proposal.
During Monday’s meeting, supervisors also approved Addendum No. 1 to the administration building project’s plans and specifications.
Public hearing held as county advances financing
The supervisors recessed their regular meeting at 8:47 a.m. before opening a public hearing on the proposed General Obligation Urban Renewal Loan Agreement at 9 a.m.
Two residents, Don Anderson and Dan Reeder, provided public comments during the hearing.
The official minutes do not describe the substance of their remarks.
The hearing closed at 9:20 a.m., after which the board resumed its regular session and unanimously approved the financing resolution.
According to the resolution, the county had published notice of the proposed borrowing and the public’s right to petition for an election.
As of October 12, no petition requesting a public vote on the proposed loan agreement had been filed.
The resolution provides for the bond sale process to continue without an election under the cited provisions of Iowa law.
Final action concerning the loan agreement and bonds was deferred to the supervisors’ November 9, 2026, meeting.
More than $1.26 million in county claims approved
Supervisors also approved a substantial round of county expenditures.
The motion approved claims totaling $1,267,692.73, although the itemized payment schedule printed in the minutes lists a slightly different grand total of $1,267,692.44 — a discrepancy of 29 cents.
Among the largest payments listed were:
- Cresco Building Services Inc. — $485,968.06 for capital project services.
- Madsen Construction — $449,145.18 for capital project services.
- Freeborn County Coop Oil — $51,140.98 for engineering department fuel.
- Kris Engineering Inc. — $35,937.50 for engineering department parts.
- Kevin Springer Construction — $32,245 for capital project services.
- S&H Environmental Services LLC — $20,820.85 for water and wastewater services.
- Tree Town Consultants LLC — $17,000 for sheriff-related services.
- Winn-Worth Betco — $16,521.50 for its fiscal year 2027 second-quarter allocation.
- Madison Liquidators LLC — $13,473.90 for engineering department supplies.
- North Central International — $10,236.48 for engineering department services.
The minutes identify the large construction-related payments as capital project services but do not specify which individual projects those payments cover.
Other expenditures included sheriff’s office services, road maintenance supplies, emergency communications, government operations and public health expenses.
Another $70,238 approved for drainage work
The board separately approved $70,238.25 in drainage district claims.
The largest individual drainage payment was $28,479.75 to A1 Excavating & Drainage Inc. for repairs involving Drainage District 2’s main drainage system.
Bolton & Menk Inc. received several payments for professional services involving Drainage Districts 18, 46, 6 and 7.
Additional expenses included $4,425 to Mike Petersburg for repairs in Drainage District 23, Lateral 9, and $6,736 to the Worth County Treasurer for a 2026 tax-related drainage district charge.
Combining the approved county-claims motion and the separate drainage claims produces a total of $1,337,930.98 in authorized expenditures, using the amount stated in the county-claims approval motion.
Drainage infrastructure has been a recurring item on the board’s agenda. Previous NIT coverage detailed Worth County’s approval of drainage projects and related assessments.
Nearly $50,000 transferred for culvert replacement
Supervisors approved another financial measure involving road infrastructure.
Resolution 2026-35 directs the county auditor to transfer $49,747.40 from the Capital Projects Fund to the Secondary Roads Fund.
The transfer reimburses Secondary Roads for expenses associated with the Vine Culvert Replacement project completed in September.
The culvert work was designated as an urban renewal project financed through proceeds of the county’s General Obligation Urban Renewal Bonds, Series 2023A.
All three supervisors voted in favor.
The board additionally approved monthly reports from the sheriff and clerk of court, along with quarterly reports from the sheriff and county recorder.
Bond decision returns November 9
The October 12 meeting ended at 9:22 a.m., shortly after the board adopted the bond financing resolution.
With the public hearing completed and preliminary financing steps approved, the administration building proposal moves toward its next scheduled consideration November 9.
That meeting is expected to bring additional action concerning the loan agreement and bonds, including the terms necessary to move the county’s borrowing plan forward.