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Last Updated: Mar 31, 2009 - 2:29:20 PM |
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Iowa County Supervisor Linda Yoder looks over a flood map provided by Tom Sandersfeld. Sandersfeld met with the board to discuss consideration of countywide participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. Mitch Traphagen Photo
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MARENGO – A significant computer database, a human resources audit and a discussion on federal flood insurance topped the agenda at the Iowa County Board of Supervisors meeting on Friday.
The board approved a resolution authorizing a loan agreement and the issuance of $600,000 General Obligation Computer Data Base System Bonds and providing for a tax levy to pay for the system. A public hearing was also held on the issue.
The database, also known as a Geographical Information System or GIS, will be capable of providing highly detailed information to the county, the residents and to existing and future businesses. The project is enormous in scope but the benefits are potentially significant as well through providing up to date and instantaneous critical information to businesses considering locating in Iowa County. When asked by The Herald, members of the exploratory committee stated the data and system would be owned by Iowa County as opposed to a third-party entity.
In a related action, the board also approved a contract in the amount of $107,270 for aerial photography and orthophotography (orthophotography is digital imaging in which distortion from the camera angle and topography have been removed, thereby ensuring distances are properly represented in the images). The photography will play a critical role in the GIS system.
Marengo realtor Tom Sandersfeld spoke to the board regarding the possibility of countywide participation in the federal flood insurance program. Currently, the city of Marengo is participating in the program. According to Sandersfeld, real estate lenders are becoming increasingly sensitive to potential flood losses. He cited the example of a home in Ladora in which the lender required flood insurance but, in the absence of countywide participation in the program, such insurance was not available. In such a scenario, selling a home to a buyer with a mortgage could become difficult, if not impossible.
According to Sandersfeld, countywide participation in the federal flood insurance program would have minimal impact on the county and would only effect new development in flood hazard areas.
That statement was backed up by information provided by Bill Cappuccio of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Participation in the NFIP would have virtually no impact on agricultural land, with the exception of possible future development, and would likely require little in the way of paperwork and administration since the county is already likely meeting most of the requirements of the program through existing codes. According to Cappuccio, “the intent of the regulations is to protect future development from damage by flood, and to ensure that development placed in the flood plain does not worsen flooding.”
In other business, the board approved hiring PJ Greufe & Associates to perform a human resources audit for county employees. The cost of the audit is $2,500. The firm specializes in ensuring legal compliance, employee policy development and other human resources related issues.
Iowa County Transportation Director Sam Gripple then met with the board to discuss fare increases for transportation services. No fare increases were proposed for pre-school and Headstart transportation but several other services will see an increase – most significantly on longer trips both within and outside Iowa County.
The board voted to approve the fare increases with an effective date of March 1, 2008.
The board also authorized a letter of support towards a grant for the Pioneer Cemetery, approved a resolution in support of the Alb-Gold Bionade project in Amana, approved an agreement with the city of Williamsburg for the use of a communications tower, approved the transfer of $273,000 from rurual basic to secondary roads, approved dust control measures to be performed twice yearly on sections of gravel roads with a vehicle count of 300 cars or more, and set a public hearing for the fiscal year 2009 budget to be held on March 7 at 9:30 a.m.
The board also authorized the signing of a contract with Vieth Construction for Amana Main Street Phase III.
The complete minutes of the meeting can be found on the Iowa County Website at www.co.iowa.ia.us.
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Skies: PtcldyTemperature: 79F 26CDewpoint: 63F 17CRelative Humidity: 57%Wind: E at 3m - 5kBarometric Pressure: 30.08SUpdated: 10:02:49 PM