Supervisors hear from county health officials about COVID-19 preparedness

Sandy McGrath, County Environmental Health Director, and Mickey Cooper, president of the county Public Health Board of Directors and pharmacist from Eagle Grove, were at the meeting. They updated the board on the state of affairs related to COVID-19. McGrath noted that the illness in Iowa is now considered to be community spread. Last week, the Iowa governor signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency. McGrath and Cooper said that Wright County residents will likely see a variety of cautionary measures being enacted in the days to come that affect schools, churches, businesses and more.  However, they said their overall message is “Be Calm.” 

The board and the public health officials also discussed other preparedness steps the county may take in the future as they consider all developments and changes in the situation. Check throughout the Monitor for press releases from the county and Iowa Specialty Hospital about their recommendations and responses to COVID-19. 

Two drainage matters were on the agenda. The first was a brief closed session held with attorney Dave Johnson regarding the Pogge land bridge issue that has been a much-discussed topic. After the session, the board passed two motions. The other drainage issue was accepting an engineer’s report and setting up a public hearing for possible repairs to DD #107. The area in question is experiencing a great deal of bank sluffing. The engineers estimate was in excess of $900,000, though if the repairs move forward, half would be paid by Hancock County since the ditch is in their district as well. The public hearing was set for June 1.  

In other business, the board approved a liquor license for Oak Ridge Recreation in Goldfield. They also approved the terms for the Wright County Economic Development Board/Commission.  Auditor Betty Ellis noted that with the primary elections coming up in June, auditors across the state are encouraging voters to request absentee ballots. She hopes to put the form to request an absentee ballot in county newspapers sometime in April.