(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, heard from Jotham Arber,with the County Environmental Health Office, with regard to a 28-E (Cost sharing) agreement with the Iowa DNR, as it pertains to wells for drinking water, geo-thermal and other uses.

He says the 28-E agreement with the DNR doesn’t change much. It adds some new language and puts it on a five-year cycle. Arber says it provides requirements for permits if someone is putting in a well, and allows permitting fees to come straight to the County. Arber said there are 55 wells in the County that have been closed on an annual basis and another 27 opened.

The Board tabled action on approving the 28-E until they could more thoroughly review the agreement. Action is expected during the Board’s next meeting on Sept. 30th. In other business, Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken said he expected Olive Street, south of I-80, to be open later this (Tuesday) afternoon, pending completion of the guardrail installation, inspection and traffic line painting.

The Boston Road bridge however – which it was hoped would be opening this week – may not open for another two-to-three weeks because of an issue with the guardrail installation sub-contractor getting enough workers to complete the job. Wolken said they’re looking at options that could result in the Boston Road Bridge opening next week, but that’s far from certain. T

He said also, the box culvert project along the Adair-Cass line at Victoria Road is essentially complete, with grading being finished on it. And, they’re still working on the Indian Creek road box culvert project.

And, the Board approved a 28-E project agreement between Cass County and the City of Atlantic, for the repair of the W. 6^th Street bridge over the Nishnabotna River. The cost of the project (approx. $410,000) will be split 50-50. The Board discussed the future of the County-owned Willow Heights building and adjacent farm land. Board Chair Steve Baier said an entity was scheduled to look at the facility Tuesday morning. Supervisor Steve Green said, with regard to the land, the County shouldn’t be in the land-lord business, it should be working toward contributing to an economic development fund.

Steve Baier said if an entity wants to purchase the facility, the County has the obligation to vett them, with regard to security, based on the present facility the entity operates, and what their financial position is. No action was taken during Tuesday’s meeting on selling the property.