By JACKIE TAYLOR | May 10, 2023

The Linn County Commissioners met Monday with a short agenda and approved claims in the amount of $534,827.97; they also approved adds and abates 2022-903 and 904.

The Sheriff’s Monthly Fee Income Report was approved in the amount of $39,910.68.

Galen Anderson, AMR, reported 19 transports month-to-date.

Fire Chief Randy Hegwald reported 162 calls for the year. He was approved to hire Brian Shroyer for the Assistant Chief/Maintenance Technician at $22.18 per hour or $46,215 per year. Shroyer will maintain all fire department equipment that doesn’t need to be sent out for service, as well as the SCBA maintenance and fire extinguisher service. He will maintain his presence in the fire department and handle emergency scenes from a management stance.

Sheriff Kevin Friend reported 52 prisoners in-house with 29 of them farmed in from other jurisdictions. He reported a burglar was caught in Holiday Lakes and arrested, no names have been released yet.

An ad selling the current Pleasanton senior citizens meal site will be published in the Linn County News beginning this week for three weeks offering the location for sale by sealed bids.

The commissioners approved striping on Wall Street Road for 5.5 miles and 1,500-feet on Radcliff Road for $9,900. They also approved Killough Construction to overlay the 5.5 miles for $660,246.12.

The commissioners approved $11,195.77 to purchase right-of-way and temporary easements of approximately one acre total for the Hell’s Bend project from Larry A. and Beverly M. Lee, Ferguson and Watershed Land Trust.

Road Foremen Harry Wisdom and Mike Nation discussed the purchase of two back hoes for $584,977 with boom mowers, a saw blade and two backhoes to be sold on PurpleWave that will gross an estimated $232,000. The other money for the purchase will come from the Special Machinery fund.

The two track hoes can be used to cut trees, do ditches and mow areas allowing the other equipment to be sold.

Public Works Administrator Shaun West discussed the purchase of a pickup but the commissioners asked for a list of equipment that he will furnish next week.

A public speaker from Tanglewood asked why travel trailers can’t have septic tanks like mobile homes and be considered permanent housing. He was referred to P&Z Director Darin Wilson.