The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular budgeting session Thursday. County Recorder Tristen Richard presented her 2019 fiscal year budget to the Board. The Board discussed the possibility of hiring a part-time human resources employee with some responsibility coming out of the Recorder’s office.

Then County Engineer Josh Sebern presented his 2019 fiscal year budget to the Board. Sebern would like to implement the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management budget into the Secondary Roads budget. Sebern also based his budget on completing some main objectives for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, including: Hungry Canyons survey projects, federal aid for bridge repairs, White Pole Road resurfacing, culvert implementations, and slowing the department’s reduction in reserve funding. Sebern projects there will be about $1.5 million in reserve funds by the end of the current fiscal year.

Verizon Wireless Government Account Manager Josh Remer then presented on a unified phone system. The Auditor’s office is among the departments who are experiencing trouble with their current phone system. Verizon’s “One Talk” system would provide an updated system with emergency back-up capabilities. The financial savings would likely be minimal, in the short term. No action was taken on this topic at this time.

The Board also approved a Title VI Non-Discrimination review and agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation. There were no discrimination based complaints in the secondary roads department from the previous fiscal year.