[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6030300,"mediaKeyId","5530049-fa9828f96d00a258333c84ad446c6bf1","parentId",5530049,"title","Votes at a glance: Franklin County supervisors approve secondary roads plan, county budget, wages and routine licenses","audioSeconds",5606,"startMs",511000,"endMs",6117000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530049-fa9828f96d00a258333c84ad446c6bf1&start=511&end=6117","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530049-fa9828f96d00a258333c84ad446c6bf1/thumbnail_511000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6030300/Franklin-County/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-Franklin-County-supervisors-approve-secondary-roads-plan-county-budget-wages-and-routine-licenses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6030300-a9d553c796be455b3c7a146882076338/orig.mp4?Expires=1770548996&Signature=fyRAehaiMbNOweu6p-6zsA-GNXltq75Mslvgss1Ax4kEbE0HdM3-GO0GV7-y7SNBl1FQAer9GCP8YvOx47ZxS51Eke501gE3t~gJXmGZVPK4~Sn~MXPR1wxEM57wNyTnkYCD4Fn-fj5qG0ZdOWmUk9k9DDebUlpPJR0AfKjYZfwBmWATSJwnoL2BsDEkcBb3-ftZ7muhpuUuqPIsw6h8qbvHht495DK2GsXEFwGBwjyoi~OKfNxigMFFA~CAGaXeZvkgkp1JhEwc06BucMQJz9ZFpoDFCenSvJfPwjrm~7nfMpAI~5u6Q2taQmRZ7x1CLEOAGoA5dKfXP8tnQGJW6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Franklin County Board of Supervisors","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","Franklin County supervisors took a series of formal votes during the meeting, approving the Iowa DOT secondary road budget and five‑year construction plan, the county fiscal year 2026 budget, elected officials’ wages for FY2026, routine claims and two alcohol beverage (ABD) licenses.

Key outcomes

- Resolution adopting Iowa DOT secondary road budget and five‑year secondary roads construction plan — approved by roll call (Lukensmeyer: Aye; McVicker: Aye; Vaness: Aye).

- Resolution approving fiscal year 2026 county budget — approved by roll call (Lukensmeyer: Aye; McVicker: Aye; Vaness: Aye).

- Resolution approving elected officials’ wages for fiscal year 2026 — approved by roll call (Lukensmeyer: Aye; McVicker: Aye; Vaness: Aye).

- Claims — board moved and seconded to approve county claims (voice votes, all in favor recorded).

- ABD (liquor) license approvals — the board approved an alcohol beverage license for Casey’s Marketing Company (Casey’s, junction on I‑35) and a license for La Jiva Chosita Mexican Grill and Seafood (former El Arca Grill location). Motions were moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.

- Drainage district pay estimate — Pay estimate number 5 for DD30Lab10 in the amount of $46,717.91 was moved and seconded and approved.

- Change order for DD31 — the board considered a contractor extension request (see separate item). The board approved a 20‑day extension for the contractor pending acceptance; if not accepted, liquidated damages and other contract remedies remain available.

Procedural notes: several routine minutes approvals, claims approvals and departmental updates were handled by motion and voice vote. Where roll call votes were requested for resolutions, the board recorded aye votes from all three supervisors present.

No other ordinance adoptions or county code changes were taken at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Franklin Co BOS Meeting, 4/14/25","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved the Iowa DOT secondary roads budget and five‑year plan, the county fiscal year 2026 budget, elected officials’ wages for FY2026, several liquor licenses and multiple claims and pay estimates.","taxTitle","Franklin County, Iowa","taxId",72974,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6030305,"Public health update: county told to monitor measles risk; staff report two latent and one active TB case",522,4148000,4670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530049-fa9828f96d00a258333c84ad446c6bf1&start=4148&end=4670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530049-fa9828f96d00a258333c84ad446c6bf1/thumbnail_4148000.jpg","/articles/6030305/Franklin-County/Iowa/Public-health-update-county-told-to-monitor-measles-risk-staff-report-two-latent-and-one-active-TB-case","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6030305-b83d714b80b08e0e47c921777988f566/orig.mp4?Expires=1770548996&Signature=PCJ~5Ua6q2Mt4fGQ155KprdbHHTQ9zaEDlNnRGHGKTyCX5BfBah-PMHjU2XeUr87W7tdj4tgwRc5Apql~H7x8ZDUZTWzofmkaR7lND~GmW4Gm-R-J-TLDE7S8HqJDyePTHIV9yPCxBueRTOUYeFab5eK3PPQeUDvACWiI9dcX1uLJxC9hEuDzCdFAaH1q9ViXyvG1~WK5Z2eZTDgeQtW1OinLkQCBOV6fb6JjdatSisjaXxmWa~A7XEsv2hullAc-AoGrc67IaOj0m4dZ8TNOoLJb8GJ56JiNPDo-ucWYJcTikDNT2KDf5kgGagiaRi2ubSANvit~96zmJNtnyMxVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franklin County public health staff told supervisors that state health authorities have asked counties to monitor measles vaccination coverage and prepare to offer vaccines if cases spread into Iowa.

Health staff said the state notified counties that vaccines would be available through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and that Franklin County’s vaccination percentages currently compare favorably with many other counties. Staff said the state asked counties to pay particular attention to groups with lower vaccination rates, including some immigrant populations and communities where vaccine uptake is low.

At the same meeting public health staff reported two latent tuberculosis (TB) cases and one active case in the county. Staff said the active case has completed initial testing and treatment steps and that, so far, no household or close contacts have tested positive; the two latent cases are receiving treatment as prevention. Staff described the active TB case as “strange” because other expected secondary cases have not been detected, but said they will continue monitoring and contact tracing per state guidance.

Public health staff also briefed supervisors on a state‑level planning effort to align public health services and funding that could move toward a district‑level model. The county was provided a data sheet with local metrics and staff said the state call discussed possible regional “district lead” arrangements; no final decisions have been reached and county staff said they will share recorded materials when available.

Supervisors asked about disease contagiousness and capacity; staff confirmed TB is airborne and that active cases are the main public‑health concern. No county policy changes or emergency orders were issued; public health staff said they would continue routine case management, vaccination outreach, and coordination with the state.","County public health staff warned supervisors about measles exposure risk in nearby states, outlined vaccine availability through the VFC program, and reported two latent and one active tuberculosis cases under treatment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6030310,"Supervisors grant 20‑day extension to DD31 contractor amid drainage project delays",982,3327000,4309000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530049-fa9828f96d00a258333c84ad446c6bf1&start=3327&end=4309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530049-fa9828f96d00a258333c84ad446c6bf1/thumbnail_3327000.jpg","/articles/6030310/Franklin-County/Iowa/Supervisors-grant-20day-extension-to-DD31-contractor-amid-drainage-project-delays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6030310-246e1760c78582e1c5a3b5d9553aa391/orig.mp4?Expires=1770548996&Signature=n9JbrnJgDuITPwI-EEGY0HxlPjd6oTnUm9u5e7dTpVQl5oLmS7pBnu1chO9pRgQhBUi0hd3AUMu4df8dCrx581wWABkMHmDSt-xQqMm4BY8yOyIUyz62o8tpsdQs1TMni0ukqCcjFdl2TprzPA0oI7YBmwQJ--EjZ2E8NFmliL~CPpFHStySyiFCVCyZe7bMUzECC3rhPeWNfH2qk8-sKjvGUBUyORERuLJtEE94paG4GHzO352P79hHT30dPBsYmFeJLc9qVQJuqS5QgvrxhHQEolYI7L9LhqoPlojP2CFobfA1NvjYNvOH0FJBD4R2m2r4ax4XvapWTEjl8L4WeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franklin County supervisors approved a 20‑day extension for a contractor working on drainage district DD31 after a detailed update on construction delays, equipment breakdowns and difficult soil conditions.

County engineers and staff reported multiple challenges on the project — including sandy pockets, collapsed tile and repeated equipment failures that have limited daily progress. Contractors have been cleaning out long runs of pipe and using bypass pumps to drain standing water caused by plugged lines and spring runoff.

Contractors had asked for a 30‑day extension. Board members debated the request and weighed the contractor’s timing against late harvest and the need to avoid working in standing crops. Supervisors noted the contractor had not started as early as some expected and that rainy weather can slow work further. Several supervisors said they would prefer a shorter extension; the board ultimately approved a 20‑day extension pending the contractor’s acceptance. The vote record indicates the motion carried with more ayes than nays and one supervisor voting against any extension.

Staff said the contractor had roughly 4,000 feet of pipe remaining and that once the crews pass the deepest cuts the daily footage installed should increase. Supervisors and staff said the county has offered to install an offset tile to enable contractors to work around wet areas if the contractor chooses.

County staff described efforts to limit crop damage to a single landowner where possible and said they had hired supplemental crews to operate jetters because some equipment ran only a day or two before breaking.

The board’s motion authorized county staff to offer the 20‑day extension to the contractor and to sign the paperwork if the contractor accepted the terms. Supervisors also asked staff to emphasize the need for rapid progress as spring weather arrives.","The board approved a 20‑day extension for contractor work on drainage district DD31 after hearing about equipment failures, sandy pockets and weather complications that slowed installation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6030315,"Supervisors and staff raise safety, assessment questions about proposed battery storage near Latimer",4944,548000,5492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530049-fa9828f96d00a258333c84ad446c6bf1&start=548&end=5492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530049-fa9828f96d00a258333c84ad446c6bf1/thumbnail_548000.jpg","/articles/6030315/Franklin-County/Iowa/Supervisors-and-staff-raise-safety-assessment-questions-about-proposed-battery-storage-near-Latimer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6030315-456508f668c41ab8e1678d61866014f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770548996&Signature=Eojf8pyZ7Au05Jo0K2jaJc40Fu5kkWrNOoS423EzRaAmLgoi7UU2v~MWhWDC6EDxT8s2WqPOckV9EGxz0LQ5VF7ign3YLvWsnu~HNeAvtjGLEhzu98GWKFfAeqxwa2dSySqhH4Fb16ac99-IjFl~-R19aPypxU06dOIGevQjJv~cl9H~U8kJ-~I7f5cVVte4P8nUzT0QshZjsv-XdHsyNYEovxDbNnbxkUh0EMy7z917HOOImApDYBjcIOAXffaPJEkrwrKVZOFlAnxZqIKNRPfVLH53IsWubluHuNqy1XUoaiZ3UJuAW-GKAy5q1r-vpazZ7J9BGfnmzDC5X2CLUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franklin County supervisors and staff discussed a proposal by Interstate Power and Light Company to locate a large battery storage installation near a substation west of Latimer, saying local emergency services and tax officials need more information before the project advances.

At the meeting a supervisor recounted attending an Iowa Utilities Commission hearing in Latimer about the proposal and described the planned site as roughly 76 shipping‑container–sized battery units and about 19 inverters. The supervisor said the units are similar to electric vehicle batteries and raised concerns that a fire would require “massive amounts of water” and that small volunteer fire departments could lack capacity to respond.

County staff and supervisors noted the utility told the commission it would site multiple installations and that at least one location included a high‑capacity well intended to support firefighting. Supervisors said they had asked the utility to contribute more to local emergency resources and to maintain local public relations contacts during the permitting process.

Franklin County’s assessor and staff said they are researching how the facility would be assessed for property tax purposes. The assessor’s office told the board that, generally, facilities that sell power back onto the grid are subject to central (state) assessment, while on‑site facilities used solely for a property may be locally assessed. Staff said they would contact the Iowa Department of Revenue to determine whether a facility of this scale and function would qualify for state assessment and whether it might be eligible for any special valuation used for other generation facilities.

Board members said they want the utility to address firefighting access, groundwater protection and community contributions before any final local approvals or land‑use agreements move forward. No formal county action was taken at the meeting; supervisors instructed staff to continue gathering information and to follow up with the utility and state contacts.

The discussion also included a reminder that county ordinances addressing battery installations focus on anchoring and state‑of‑the‑art siting and equipment standards, not all operational or emergency response requirements.

County staff said they will report back after contacting the Department of Revenue and will pass along any technical information provided by the utility about fire suppression, groundwater risk and local mitigation measures.

Officials noted the matter involves state regulatory proceedings before the Iowa Utilities Commission in addition to local permit and assessment questions; the board did not take a vote or set a deadline for staff follow‑up.","County officials and staff discussed a planned large battery storage installation sited near a substation west of Latimer, raising concerns about firefighting capacity, groundwater risk and tax assessment responsibilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Franklin County supervisors approve secondary roads plan, county budget, wages and routine licenses

Public health update: county told to monitor measles risk; staff report two latent and one active TB case

Supervisors grant 20‑day extension to DD31 contractor amid drainage project delays

Supervisors and staff raise safety, assessment questions about proposed battery storage near Latimer