Hancock County approves plans and awards $625,402 contract for Britt cold storage
March 30, 2026 | Hancock County, Iowa
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Hancock County supervisors on March 30 approved construction plans and awarded a $625,402.40 contract to Kingland Construction for a Secondary Roads Cold Storage facility in Britt, Iowa.
The Board adopted Resolution No. 2026-014 approving the plans, specifications and form of contract for the project, which the county engineer estimated would cost $550,000 under Option 1 and $675,000 under Option 2. The board then adopted Resolution No. 2026-015, accepting Kingland Construction's bid (base bid plus Add 2) and authorizing the engineer to execute the contract after receipt of the contractor's bond and certificate of insurance.
County Engineer Jeremy Purvis reviewed the project details and cost estimates and told supervisors the building was planned with a design life of about 50 years. Purvis said electrical work has been planned but not yet priced. Supervisors pressed for information about the number and size of doors and long-term accessibility for county equipment; several supervisors said existing shop buildings are aging and currently too small.
At the public hearing, resident John Johnson questioned the need for indoor storage for semi trailers, saying many trucking firms and equipment dealers keep trailers outside. "Trucking companies do not store their trailers inside; John Deere every trailer is outside," Johnson said, arguing that outdoor storage is common and that leaving equipment outside can be standard industry practice.
Supervisor Osmund "Bud" Jermeland, citing his experience in farm equipment sales, emphasized planning for a multi-decade horizon, saying officials must "look 50 years into the future" when sizing and siting facilities. Supervisor Gary Rayhons initiated the motions to close the hearing and to move the resolutions; Supervisor Florence (Sis) Greiman seconded the motions. The recorded actions in the minutes show unanimous approval for the agenda, minutes and the two resolutions.
Resolution 2026-015 stipulates that, after the county receives the contractor's bond and insurance documents, Jeremy Purvis, P.E., the county engineer, is authorized to execute the construction contract on behalf of the Board. The resolutions reference compliance with required notification, hearing and bidding procedures and cite section 331.301 of the Code of Iowa as the statutory authority for the Board's action.
The project is budgeted in the next fiscal year; Purvis and supervisors indicated the county will consider selling the Corwith and Britt old maintenance sites to help fund the project. No written public comments were submitted during the hearing.
The Board's next regular meeting is scheduled for April 6, 2026.
The Board adopted Resolution No. 2026-014 approving the plans, specifications and form of contract for the project, which the county engineer estimated would cost $550,000 under Option 1 and $675,000 under Option 2. The board then adopted Resolution No. 2026-015, accepting Kingland Construction's bid (base bid plus Add 2) and authorizing the engineer to execute the contract after receipt of the contractor's bond and certificate of insurance.
County Engineer Jeremy Purvis reviewed the project details and cost estimates and told supervisors the building was planned with a design life of about 50 years. Purvis said electrical work has been planned but not yet priced. Supervisors pressed for information about the number and size of doors and long-term accessibility for county equipment; several supervisors said existing shop buildings are aging and currently too small.
At the public hearing, resident John Johnson questioned the need for indoor storage for semi trailers, saying many trucking firms and equipment dealers keep trailers outside. "Trucking companies do not store their trailers inside; John Deere every trailer is outside," Johnson said, arguing that outdoor storage is common and that leaving equipment outside can be standard industry practice.
Supervisor Osmund "Bud" Jermeland, citing his experience in farm equipment sales, emphasized planning for a multi-decade horizon, saying officials must "look 50 years into the future" when sizing and siting facilities. Supervisor Gary Rayhons initiated the motions to close the hearing and to move the resolutions; Supervisor Florence (Sis) Greiman seconded the motions. The recorded actions in the minutes show unanimous approval for the agenda, minutes and the two resolutions.
Resolution 2026-015 stipulates that, after the county receives the contractor's bond and insurance documents, Jeremy Purvis, P.E., the county engineer, is authorized to execute the construction contract on behalf of the Board. The resolutions reference compliance with required notification, hearing and bidding procedures and cite section 331.301 of the Code of Iowa as the statutory authority for the Board's action.
The project is budgeted in the next fiscal year; Purvis and supervisors indicated the county will consider selling the Corwith and Britt old maintenance sites to help fund the project. No written public comments were submitted during the hearing.
The Board's next regular meeting is scheduled for April 6, 2026.
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