Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary — 2026-08-25
Key Actions
- The Board approved the meeting agenda. Unless otherwise noted in the minutes, motions carried with Supervisors Croker, Hartman, and Merten voting aye, with no nays or abstentions. Supervisors Ringgenberg and Snyder were absent.
- The Board approved two utility permits: one for Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative to bore under 50th Avenue in Maple Valley Township for electric service to a new house, and one for Iowa Lakes Regional Water to bore under 110th Avenue in Scott Township to provide service to an address.
- The Board authorized Conservation Director Greg Johnson to advertise for a Conservation Board member, with applications due October 9. The opening results from a term expiring December 31, 2026.
- The Board approved the August 11, 2026 minutes, the current claim approval list, Auxiant disbursements and stamped warrant list, and accepted the July Sheriff’s Report of Fees Collected and July Conservation Board minutes.
- The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign an engagement letter with Ahlers and Cooney for employment services.
- The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign an FY2027 pledge contribution letter for $676 to the NW Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund. The minutes state the funds are used as a local match for housing maintenance efforts.
- The Board entered closed session at 10:18 a.m. to discuss two separate matters under Iowa Code Chapter 21.5(1)(c), concerning litigation or imminent litigation. The Board returned to open session at 10:37 a.m.; the minutes record no subsequent action on those matters.
- The meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m. until a special session scheduled for September 1 at 8:30 a.m.
Major Discussion Topics
Urban SDK Traffic Analysis Software
County Engineer Bret Wilkinson and Sheriff Kory Elston discussed a possible contract with Urban SDK for computer-generated traffic reports and satellite imagery software. Wilkinson said a two-year contract would cost $91,059.51 and described analytical capabilities including vehicle turning movements, vehicle counts, traffic flows, and numbers of speeders.
Board members expressed concern about the cost and interest in seeing the system demonstrated before committing funds. Outside funding, including a possible community foundation grant, was also raised. The Board reached consensus to table action until the company provides a demonstration.
Iowa Great Lakes Connection Trail
Representatives of Storm Lake United and Lakeshore Cyclery presented information about the Iowa Great Lakes Connection Trail, a proposed bicycle-trail connection involving Carroll, Sac, Buena Vista, Clay, and Dickinson counties. The presentation included an estimated $100,000 feasibility study, with a request that Buena Vista County participate and pay 50% of the cost, up to $50,000.
The Board indicated it would like to see a feasibility study addressing the cost of a trail south of Storm Lake and learn whether all participating counties are interested in helping fund the effort. Conservation Director Greg Johnson also described the county's existing Trails Committee and previous planning to connect trails through communities in Buena Vista County.
Secondary Roads and Construction
The Secondary Road Report noted continued work on driveways, crossroad culverts, rock hauling, and mowing. Phase 2 concrete pouring was complete, with core cutting and joint sealing underway; shoulder work, painting, and signs remained before the road could open.
The contractor was expected to move to N14 around September 8 and complete two miles during the current construction season. The report also stated that one large Business 71 box culvert was planned for 2026, other Business 71 culverts for 2027, and the 40th Avenue bridge project was not expected to begin until late October or early November and would likely extend into spring.
Conservation and Weed Department Updates
Johnson reported progress on weed-control work, including 1,268 of approximately 2,000 county miles completed for thistles. Purple loosestrife spraying had been completed, and work covering an approximately 500-mile quarter of the county was about 85% complete.
Johnson also reported that a request for proposals had been issued for the Marina to determine whether there was interest, maintenance was proceeding normally, and the department had lost one seasonal worker. He had received no new information from FEMA, and Marina paving might occur after Labor Day.
Highway 7 / 70th Avenue Agreement
A pre-design agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation for the Highway 7/70th Avenue intersection was not available at the meeting. The Board therefore took no action on the agreement.
Chairperson Merten asked whether anyone participating online wished to speak during the “Hear the Public” portion of the meeting. The minutes record that no one did.
What Happens Next
- Urban SDK software remains tabled pending a company demonstration.
- The Board wants additional information on the proposed trail, including a feasibility study of a route south of Storm Lake and whether the other counties would help fund the effort.
- Applications for the upcoming Conservation Board vacancy are to be accepted through October 9.
- Representatives from Buena Vista, Calhoun, and Sac counties were scheduled to meet regarding funding of the joint drainage fund. Chairperson Merten was expected to report back afterward, and the minutes state that Board approval would be needed on future action.
- The Board's next meeting identified in the minutes was a special session scheduled for September 1 at 8:30 a.m.
Civic Translator summarized publicly available meeting minutes from the Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors. The official minutes identify the meeting as the Board's August 25, 2026 regular session.
