Supervisors approve downtown parking change order, paving plans and other routine business

At its May 4 meeting the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors cleared several routine and project items by unanimous votes.

Change order for downtown parking and sidewalk: County development staff and engineering consultant Brad Rose (Water Smith Engineering) described a $42,343 change order to cover additional unit quantities for the Walnut Street sidewalk, sinkhole remediation near the jail, and tie-ins to adjacent parking. Rose said the additional work was part of the planned scope but the quantities were omitted from the bid table; unit prices were bid and no extra percentage markup was applied. The board approved the change order by voice vote.

Paving project and utility permit: County engineer Bridal Horoski presented plans and specifications for a PCC pavement replacement on G28 (about a mile north of Conesville) to be let through the Iowa DOT (target August letting; possible 2027 construction). The board approved the plans. Horoski also reported a utility permit from Interstate Power and Light/Alliant Energy to install underground electric near Wolcott; the board approved the permit.

Disabled veterans homestead tax credit correction: County assessor Nancy Long explained her office failed to apply a disabled veterans homestead tax credit for a 2024 applicant and requested approval to apply the credit for 2025; the board approved the correction 5–0. Staff explained that because the 2024 taxes were already paid, the office cannot refund that year but can make an auditor’s adjustment to correct future bills.

Minutes and committee reports: The board approved the minutes of April 27, 2026, heard brief committee reports (housing accelerator, port development planning interest, Towhead Island environmental-education opportunities) and received an employee note recognizing Correctional Officers Appreciation Week (May 3–9). With no further public comment, the meeting adjourned.

What to watch: The downtown project will proceed with the added quantities; staff noted contingency funds are reduced by the change order. Paving and utility work will follow DOT processes and contractor scheduling.