[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6462964,"mediaKeyId","5787040-70bb7a3a50a12b3239eb09b72952d31a","parentId",5787040,"title","Votes at a glance: Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors, Sept. 8, 2025","audioSeconds",1868,"startMs",2000,"endMs",1870000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5787040-70bb7a3a50a12b3239eb09b72952d31a&start=2&end=1870","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5787040-70bb7a3a50a12b3239eb09b72952d31a/thumbnail_2000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462964/Cerro-Gordo-County/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-Cerro-Gordo-County-Board-of-Supervisors-Sept-8-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462964-c1d46186e424643d1511694503edf495/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141021&Signature=WhhxNY7~MNR502FqCEwtQnW9iSfw-H8-87CLEJiY0ahGydBQML1cn5CsBc9yfVqSJYokj~Oq049eEu2ZuSrB46ibZVR0DyU7DQacVb51j-s-1YKtaKnJbQoFcl4rSXtB55ui-xJ0T9qzFWcVrYDVi6JnZ8UOztAfNpbkhSDDla4-KszltW9Fo7zf4q2xwk-4Vt0io2PeixL1Q3JT8fAf6CUdDUtw93pnIy5sKxzJdRBvCS6SdMGG1~HZoOnheKagpTssX7utcJxeE-nHlOgb8Bbf3eBhnJZ5etcIU6vpmrpjgJOxB0n~PsRVQuf4t-vOyhc5h4tLv2QR4PDWxKzlcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cerro Gordo County","date","2025-09-10T17:37:33Z","article","The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors handled several routine motions and took initial action on a proposed ordinance during its Sept. 8 meeting. Vote tallies are included when recorded in the meeting transcript; where tallies or individual votes were not read on the record, the transcript indicates the motion passed or the tally was not specified.

- Approve agenda and minutes (motion and second). Outcome: approved (motion recorded as passing; no roll-call tally provided in transcript).

- Approve claims as presented (motion and second). Outcome: approved (recorded as passing).

- Assign county staff/watchman to investigate drainage follow-up for joint drains districts (district numbers referenced in transcript as 131 and 86 and Thornton contractor spot applications). Outcome: approved (motion passed; details: contractor made multiple spot applications and staff were authorized to investigate further).

- Approve sheriff's monthly report of fees (motion and second). Outcome: approved (recorded as passing).

- Ordinance 11C (health-nuisance ordinance): motion to adopt for initial reading and to continue public comment and staff revisions. Outcome: approved for initial reading; roll-call tally not specified in transcript. Supervisors clarified that a first-reading approval would not make the ordinance immediately enforceable and that they did not intend to waive subsequent readings without additional public notice.

Details and provenance: the transcript records public comment on Ordinance 11C, including multiple speakers raising concerns about definitions (dense vegetation, vermin) and enforcement timelines; the board directed county health staff to prepare revised language and return it to the Board of Health before further readings.

If specific roll-call tallies are required for any of these items for recordkeeping, the meeting minutes or clerk’s official roll-call record should be consulted; the public transcript did not capture full vote tallies for several items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Video of the September 8, 2025 meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions and outcomes recorded during the Sept. 8 Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors meeting, including approvals of agenda/minutes, claims, sheriff's monthly report, and initial action on Ordinance 11C.","taxTitle","Cerro Gordo County, Iowa","taxId",68469,"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},6462970,"County engineer: Illinois building remediation complete; demolition bidding to start; bridge replacement costs likely exceed benefit",1860,139000,1999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5787040-70bb7a3a50a12b3239eb09b72952d31a&start=139&end=1999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5787040-70bb7a3a50a12b3239eb09b72952d31a/thumbnail_139000.jpg","/articles/6462970/Cerro-Gordo-County/Iowa/County-engineer-Illinois-building-remediation-complete-demolition-bidding-to-start-bridge-replacement-costs-likely-exceed-benefit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462970-dc06af37f9795170475fb7cd120300ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141021&Signature=SDCKCSUTCqONoVAcjrzvVEFHkYIAAHcXd-KY70R~oYX5Tk0vcMEEL42Z~H0gyZsrDFdiJXnUhXnhtSMOYwHs6wT8B4fCl6uOl9rJSo4idx9M4zZyq55lrLhQkp-Qp9TB8q104KY80nR8D4EnGa7~1Aq1bmTzMEToM-ahtdvNWxLDX4AMMTgotZSTso5OEyFkVvXo13TVQc20gyfUaJuFAKal7jvQwDBp7w8I2DtFq6mZzc-PZSV6GqQQEJBqDUzQgQoIZ3mkMW9pXPUgqVBvuLW3QB5lNTOfqAlntbim1OV0GtT7ibL8vYX0~n565IKbmBIWXKOg5aqup~PEalD1jA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cerro Gordo County’s engineer reported Sept. 8 that remediation work on the Illinois building is complete and demolition planning is moving forward. The county will solicit bids from Mason City–qualified contractors and give contractors two weeks to review the site and submit questions before returning firm demolition costs to the board.

The engineer said demolition cannot begin until a demolition permit is obtained from the City of Mason City: “As soon as I hire a contractor for demolition is when I can apply to the city for a demolition permit. And once that permit is had from them, at that point, we’ll be able to proceed with the demolition,” he said.

On road infrastructure, the engineer reported that a culvert project on Hickory north of B-15 is ready but waiting on boxed culvert sections from the manufacturer; the lead time for delivery is about two weeks, and actual installation would take roughly two weeks once the boxes arrive.

The engineer also recommended against an expensive bridge replacement on 4th Avenue at a deep valley near B-20. He described a failing bridge roughly 30 feet down in a valley with a 100-foot-long span that the county closed for safety. Replacing the structure with a new bridge and requisite retaining walls would likely cost an estimated $750,000 to $1,000,000. The engineer said the location offers a detour of less than a mile and that the county’s limited funds might be better used elsewhere.

Other updates: county crews are completing mowing and gravel work orders and conducting additional equipment training so more staff can operate necessary machinery. The engineer said work orders for drainage remain in the queue while crews focus on seasonal priorities.

Next steps: the engineer will return to the board with demolition bid results after the two-week question period, apply for a Mason City demolition permit once a contractor is selected, track delivery of culvert boxes for the Hickory project, and develop design alternatives and cost estimates for the closed bridge area if the board directs further work.","Cerro Gordo County engineer reported remediation of the Illinois building is finished and demolition bidding will begin; culvert and bridge projects face manufacturing lead times and high replacement costs, prompting a recommendation to redirect funds to higher-priority work.",{"_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},6462974,"Cerro Gordo supervisors hold public hearing on proposed health-nuisance ordinance after farmers raise right-to-farm concerns",1556,304000,1860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5787040-70bb7a3a50a12b3239eb09b72952d31a&start=304&end=1860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5787040-70bb7a3a50a12b3239eb09b72952d31a/thumbnail_304000.jpg","/articles/6462974/Cerro-Gordo-County/Iowa/Cerro-Gordo-supervisors-hold-public-hearing-on-proposed-health-nuisance-ordinance-after-farmers-raise-right-to-farm-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462974-c1b926d720a52e49e8b181d0f68310c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141021&Signature=kYZdQy0PDktPW34Cczs-c-Io78D2W05dwWrde3zQJnX9UGkDL1g9AR3YVqlXkAl9X1GOw7xuOUduV47jCfReh1bO7-g7mE-rjsm1bt03fVvxETXY4nZEQmiGpiLkrtgHqxPGTX3P3j5rpsxYU~WlIbMslAN~Z8s9rE7pYFsgnK6uIjOE2fpxXhgPRVQaiqFn4y9S9rx3f1tHys~OcVmoKz2KcrqWmsNv6mbu1Wpi9R8ChYYCC53XklYgGL7HXJZYfJ-OXQovEERh~y1ZkRK5ozYwpXgyPX458~zfAePUsl4ZSrO81~qpmQHd6NyIy7n6mGkVyLqOy5PYn2ol~CqU~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cerro Gordo County supervisors opened a public hearing Sept. 8 on proposed Ordinance 11C, a county health-nuisance ordinance that includes expanded definitions and civil penalties. Several rural residents raised concerns that the language is vague and could conflict with Iowa’s right-to-farm protections.

The ordinance draft, presented by county public-health staff, updates definitions of nuisances and changes enforcement from a simple misdemeanor to civil penalties. A public-health representative told the board, “This has been brought forth to our board of health and signed and approved.”

The matter drew multiple public speakers from unincorporated parts of the county. Matthew Doan of Thornton told the board, “I have some serious concerns concerning this ordinance, mainly due to the fact of the legality of it and how it affects farmers. The state of Iowa has a right to farm law. As such, farmers have nuisance immunity.” Other residents raised similar points about specific draft provisions—dense vegetation, vermin lists, and timelines for removal of dead animals and waste pickup.

County public-health staff said some definitions in the draft were taken from Iowa Code and that the intent is to focus enforcement on closer-living proximities—neighborhoods such as Mason City or Clear Lake—rather than routine agricultural operations. Staff described the department’s usual process as complaint-driven: inspectors contact the property owner, confirm whether a plan is in place, and work with residents to close complaints. “We don’t go on people’s property looking for abandoned cars, or trying to find, nuisances. It's not a gotcha type of thing,” a public-health representative said.

Speakers cited specific operational concerns: the ash-borer problem that has led some farmers to burn debris, the frequency of private haulers collecting carcasses, and the practical presence of rodents and wild animals on working farms. One resident noted a previous road-side carcass incident that persisted for more than a week and asked whether the proposed time frames in the ordinance would allow for routine collection routes.

Supervisors discussed the process and public input during the meeting. Several supervisors said they were not comfortable waiving later readings and wanted more time for public comment. One supervisor summarized the board’s approach: approving the ordinance’s first reading would keep the process moving while allowing county health to refine language and publish notice for further comment. The county health representative said staff could provide revised language “by the end of the week” and would take changes back to the Board of Health for approval before returning to the supervisors.

The board moved to adopt the ordinance for the initial reading to allow more public comment and staff revisions; the roll-call vote and tally were not specified in the meeting transcript. Supervisors clarified that a first-reading approval would not make the ordinance immediately enforceable and that the board would not waive subsequent readings without further notice.

The county health department and the Board of Health are expected to revise the draft and publish a new notice of public comment and hearing dates; the department said it will work to include clearer definitions and timing tied to services such as carcass collection.

If enacted as changed after additional readings, the ordinance would apply to unincorporated areas of Cerro Gordo County and to incorporated areas only if those municipalities choose to partner with the county’s program.

Next steps: county health staff will draft revisions and return the ordinance to the Board of Health, then publish notice of subsequent readings and hearings for additional public comment.","At a Sept. 8 meeting, Cerro Gordo County trustees opened a public hearing on proposed Ordinance 11C (health nuisances). Multiple residents, chiefly farmers, urged clarifications to definitions and timelines; county health staff said the draft draws on Iowa Code and will be revised and returned to the Board of Health before further readings.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors, Sept. 8, 2025

County engineer: Illinois building remediation complete; demolition bidding to start; bridge replacement costs likely exceed benefit

Cerro Gordo supervisors hold public hearing on proposed health-nuisance ordinance after farmers raise right-to-farm concerns