Monona County board hires operator, reviews secondary‑road truck bids

The Monona County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. SR 26‑10 on Feb. 17 to hire Caleb Clemon as a Full‑time Operator II at a starting rate of $26.20 per hour, with wages and benefits to follow the current union contract. Supervisor Vincent Phillips moved to adopt the resolution; Chairman Bo Fox seconded it and the motion carried with Supervisors Fox, Tom Brouillette and Vincent Phillips voting aye. Permanent seniority for the position will begin after a background check, pre‑employment physical and drug screening are successfully completed.

The board also heard a bid opening for dump/snowplow trucks from Secondary Roads staff. A Western Star 47X (I State bid) was quoted at $262,506 and would be available in April but requires upfitting; a Peterbilt 548 was quoted at $258,055 and was offered fully upfitted and available in February. County staff said a bid tab will be prepared for review; the board did not take purchase action at this meeting. Secondary Roads Engineer Charles Bechtold and Maintenance Shop Foreman Lucas Morton were present for the discussion and described fuel‑management concerns, quality‑control needs at the shop and possible grant funding for road projects. No formal decisions on procurement or grants were made.

Votes at a glance
• Agenda approval — motion carried (Fox, Brouillette, Phillips)
• Resolution SR 26‑10 (hire Caleb Clemon, Full‑time Operator II at $26.20/hr) — moved by Vincent Phillips, seconded by Bo Fox; outcome: approved (ayes: Fox, Brouillette, Phillips)
• Minutes of Feb. 10, 2026 — approved (Fox, Brouillette, Phillips)
• Claims — approved (Fox, Brouillette, Phillips)
• Clerk of Court report (Jan. 2026) — acknowledged (Fox, Brouillette, Phillips)

The board recessed at 10:00 a.m. to convene as Drainage Trustees and later reconvened at 10:30 a.m. The board adjourned at 1:10 p.m.