Hancock County Supervisors, 4-Hers participate in proclamation signing

Supervisor Chair Sis Greiman wore a green sweater during the signing, proclaiming Oct. 1-7 as National 4-H Week throughout Hancock County. It encourages all citizens to recognize 4-H for the significant impact it has made and continues to make by empowering youth with the skills they need to lead for a lifetime.

4-H is America’s largest youth development organization that supports nearly six million youth across the country. There are more than 250 youth in Hancock County clubs/teams with more than 1,500 county youth gaining hands-on learning and discovery experience.

The proclamation touts the work of Extension services from a community of more than 100 public universities nationwide (and ISU Extension and Outreach in Iowa) to deliver 4-H programming. That experience provides young people learning through hands-on projects in science, agriculture, civic engagement, engineering, technology, healthy living, citizenship, and more. It concludes that a network of nearly 500,000 volunteers and 3,500 professionals provides mentoring to all 4-Hers, which helps them grow into true leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries.

The Iowa 4-H Giving Day was held from noon on Oct. 3 to noon on Oct. 4 to help fund and support 4-H programs across the state. Specifically, the donations will support local efforts, help provide new program opportunities, and also make 4-H possible for families in need.

The Iowa 4-H Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides the private financial resources to develop and deliver quality 4-H youth programs throughout the state of Iowa. These opportunities help young people enhance their ability to use critical thinking, leadership, communication, and social skills – tools that will give them a competitive edge in their future endeavors.

Construction nears completion

County Engineer Jeremy Purvis reported that construction on the courthouse east vestibule addition and northwest tower roof repair was nearly complete. Vestibule painting was also completed recently and carpeting and some glass installation near the doors was set to be completed within the week.

“The (Dean Snyder Construction) trailer is pulling out today,” said Purvis, noting that it was mostly small odds and ends remaining.

“It’s not yellow,” said Auditor Michelle Eisenman of the vestibule paint color. “I think it looks nice. It’s nice and bright.”

“It would kind of make it official that it’s open, ready to go, and people should use it,” said Chair Sis Greiman regarding a possible formal opening event. No plans have been announced, but Purvis is working with supervisors and others to look into the possibility.

Regarding the northwest tower roof repair, an entirely new roof deck was installed after lots of initial prep work was completed in the early stages of the project. That included asbestos abatement, demolition and repair of deteriorated brick around the wood deck, wood joist replacement, removal and replacement of the interior brick wall to the bottom of the joist elevation, and removal of limestone parapet.

• Auditor Eisenman discussed some proposed budget amendments for fiscal year 2023-24, including changes for the completed northwest tower roof repair and new HVAC construction project (that will continue into the 2024 calendar year). No action was taken, but Eisenman said certain fund transfers and budget amendments could be made in the next couple of weeks.

• Supervisors approved a special levy certification for drainage district 66 project work where additional lands were recently found to be benefitting from the drainage project. The special levy amount will be approximately $516,000 with letters anticipated to be mailed to impacted landowners soon.

• Supervisors were informed that the new recycling collection container in Miller was put in place over the weekend. The new container for the Crystal Lake rural recycling collection site was reportedly set to be arriving soon.