By Sam Parsons

The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors met yesterday and approved a 28E agreement between the county and Southern Iowa Mental Health. The agreement involves 13 counties cooperating as a region to provide mental health and disability services to south central Iowa. Supervisor Steve Wanders said that the agreement has involved 14 counties in the past, but is otherwise similar to past agreements with the county. County attorney Andrew Ritland said that the agreement was above water, but advised the board that pending legislation at the governor’s office would make it so that the Southern Iowa Mental Health board cannot be majority represented by members of county boards of supervisors.

The board also discussed some road projects with County Engineer Andrew McGuire. McGuire said that the condition of 230th and Lynn Avenue needs to be addressed. McGuire said that a contractor suggested a complete reclamation project for the road, which would be a more intensive project but would result in higher longevity for the road. The issue with that proposal, according to McGuire, would be the funding, since it would be a more cost-heavy approach and would constitute construction, rather than maintenance, which would introduce more red tape. Ultimately, however, the board directed McGuire to move forward with the complete reclamation project idea.

The next regular meeting with the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors will be held on June 19.