County denied funding for creek sign program

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors tackled a light agenda at its regular meeting Aug. 30.

County engineer Karen Albert updated the supervisors on efforts to receive a grant to pay for the placement of signs on creeks and bridges. Albert said it was a no-go.

“The NRCS informed us that we did not receive any grants from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources County Creek Sign grant program. It was a grant we had applied for to put signs on the watersheds and the creeks. The supervisors issued a letter of support for the grant, but it seems like they had a lot of people apply for it,” Albert said.

Supervisors Charla Schmid said the DNR notice indicated the awards were for the first round of grants, and speculated whether the county may be eligible for a grant in the next round of funding.

Albert said she was not sure if another grant cycle was pending for County Creek Sign grant program but said she would be contacted by DNR representatives if another round came up. Schmid expressed her disappointment in the county’s failure to secure a grant.

“It’s too bad, it’s almost kind of sad, but I guess with 99 counties all applying there was a lot of competition,” stated Schmid.

While they were unable to secure those grants, Albert said weed superintendent Damien Bond had good news in applying for four roadway trust fund grants for equipment.

“All four of the grants were awarded to us, and include $3,000 for herbicide equipment, $1,056 for equipment and accessories for a chipper, $6,000 for a drop feeder, and $2,059 for chainsaws, totaling $12,115 in grant funds awarded. Damien is extremely pleased that all four of Montgomery County’s grant requests were approved,” commented Albert.

Albert also advised the supervisors that a number of county buildings, including the engineer’s office, had been sprayed with a polyurethane acrylic coating to stop any leaks. She also announced a return to the usual schedule after Labor Day.

“We’re going back to eight hour days, five days a week. We did get a lot of positive feedback from people with the adjusted work week, and we’ll probably be implementing it again next summer,” Albert said.