Wednesday, February 11, 2009

County Salaries

Washington County Supervisors have approved the Compensation Board's recommendation for county elected officials for next fiscal year. The recommendation leaves the supervisor salaries unchanged at just over $33,000. The other officials would get a 3 1/2 % increase. The increase applies to the County Attorney, Auditor, Recorder, Treasurer, and Sheriff. That would take effect July first.

County Road Solutions

How to keep county gravel roads in good shape? That was the focus of a recent public work session requested by local members of the Iowa Farm Bureau. County Engineer Dave Patterson says one of the big issues is higher traffic, but the county is not seeing a rise in funds coming in. Patterson says in talking with area residents some suggest ways of generating more funds such as implementing impact fees for new developments or different types of registration fees for vehicles or a secondary road assessment district.

School Board Meeting

The Washington School board will receive a recommendation on budget cuts at their meeting tonight. Interim Superintendent Dave Sextro says the board will receive an update on the Governor's latest budget cuts. Sextro says he will present his expenditure reduction recommendation to the board for the consideration. The board will also act on a contract that would have Sextro stay on as interim superintendent for one more year. The meeting is tonight at 7pm.

Paws and More in Kalona

More area residents will have the option of contributing a dollar a month to Paws and More through their water bill. This is an opt in program that already exist for Washington water users. Angie Talbot with Paws and More says she went to the Kalona, Wellman and Riverside city councils and asked if they could establish a similar program in those cities. The three councils approved the request and residents will now have an option to make the donation to Paws and More.

Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner

The Washington AM'ers Kiwanis Club is putting on their 7th Annual Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner and Ice Cream Social tonight. The all you can eat event costs $8 in advance and $9 at the door for adults and $5 in advance and $6 at the door for children. It will be at the Washington Junior High from 4pm to 7pm tonight. The money from the event goes to fund AM'ers Kiwanis projects such as Secret Santa.

Columbus Junction Council

The Columbus Junction City Council is looking at the purchase of a flood pump. City Clerk Julie Heindel says the council will discuss the purchase. The pump would take water that overflows from the river and pumps it back in. She says the council is considering the purchase after last summer's flood. The council will discuss the idea at their meeting tonight at 5:30 in the new Civic Center/City Hall.

Kalona Sewer Project

Work is continuing on the Kalona sewer project. City Administrator Doug Morgan says it's coming along smoothly. Morgan says the cold winter weather has not disrupted any work. C.L Carroll Company is doing the work and Morgan says the project is expected to be complete by the late summer.
Washington Page
7:30 a.m. & 12:55 p.m. Dr. Bill Tweeton, Kiwanis AMers Spaghetti Dinner
Listen to the interview on the Radio Plus page.

In Touch With Southeast Iowa 
12:50 p.m. 
Listen to the interview on the Radio Plus page.

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