Chickasaw County approves engineer contract, DOT roads budget and bridge program

The Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors on April 27 approved a one-year employment modification for County Engineer Roman Nelson for fiscal year 2027 and reviewed the county’s DOT budgets and program for secondary roads. The board also approved a temporary construction easement for a bridge replacement project.

Nelson told the board the contract reflects a 4% adjustment consistent with union negotiations and includes an annual salary listed as "$132,289.99" for FY27. The board approved the contract by roll call during the meeting. Nelson also described the DOT five-year program and noted a $2.2 million grant allocated for two bridge replacement projects, and staff said the DOT-required budget review matches the county budget.

The board voted to approve the FY27 Iowa DOT secondary roads budget and the DOT five-year program for Chickasaw County; both motions passed by voice vote. The board also approved a temporary construction easement with Andrew and Amber Edson for the Bridge 0641 replacement project (LFY2702-73-19).

Why it matters: the engineer contract sets staff pay and continuity for road-project oversight, and the DOT budget and five-year program set the county’s pavement, bridge and equipment priorities and allow grant-funded bridge work to proceed.