Jasper Board Seeking Fiber Optic Info

Jasper County board members learned this month the county's new solid waste truck is to be delivered this month.

The truck, valued at just under $84,000, was ordered in February 2022 with a $20,000 trade in on a 2004 vehicle. Since the truck will arrive several months late and since this is a busy time of year for solid waste, the plan is to accept the new unit with no trade in. The bed of the new unit will be swapped during the slow time this winter. Bids will then be taken on the 2004 unit with the proceeds to cover the cost of swapping the dumpster bed.

Work continues on updating the supervisor of assessments office. An assessment schedule from 1993 has been in use, and there is a 2020 schedule, and will be updated to the new schedule. The sales ratio in the county was reported not good because assessments are selling higher than assessed.

Total county income less expenditures for June was reported at a loss of $187,000. 

The Board approved a contract for construction engineering on the Crooked Creek culvert project with Connor and Connor Engineers; and approved the reappointment of Ned Heltsley as a trustee of the North Fork Conservancy District.

The Board continues working toward a strategic plan for Jasper County by the county's 200th birthday in 2031. The next target is establishing a County website by the start or Spring 2024. An option being pursued is a joint Jasper County/City of Newton website.

Board members adopted the budget for the fiscal year. A fiber optic installation project was not awarded while the board seeks additional information.