Cerro Gordo, Floyd supervisors discuss sharing County Engineer

MASON CITY — Officials in Cerro Gordo and Floyd counties appear interested in sharing County Engineer duties, at least on an interim basis. Earlier this month, Floyd County Engineer Jacob Page submitted his resignation, effective January 10th.

On Friday, supervisors from both counties met in Mason City to discuss Cerro Gordo County Engineer Brandon Billings also leading the Floyd County Secondary Roads Department.   “I want to propose the idea that this is to start with a six-month agreement, and at the end of six months, if this works out and we get something figured out, sit down, talking, and make sure that Floyd County is still happy with the agreement, that Cerro Gordo County is still happy with the agreement. At that point we decide if we’re going to be continuing to do it or take it in a different direction.”

Cerro Gordo County Supervisor Casey Callanan said he wasn’t comfortable with an open-ended arrangement between the counties.  “I’ve always deferred to department heads, and I trust you right until I don’t, and you’ve never led us astray, and so I’m comfortable with you helping out Floyd County temporarily. I’m not comfortable in you doing it indefinitely.”

Floyd County Supervisor Mark Kuhn noted that Floyd County has been down that “secondary road” before and is comfortable doing it again. “We have a long-term relationship with shared engineers. We’ve shared engineers for decades. Actually, it’s only been the past three years with Jacob Page that we haven’t had a shared engineer with Chickasaw County. We see the advantage of that.”

Prior to bringing Page on board, Floyd County shared a county engineer with Chickasaw County for over two decades. Still, new Floyd County Supervisor Boyd Campbell has reservations. “Look at the money we’d be saving, whatever, and spreading you out with travel time and other things, there will be a loss of some efficiencies I think.”

No action was taken, but both counties expressed willingness to continue discussions, including how Billings would be compensated, how he would split his time, and costs for travel between counties.

Page told Floyd County Supervisors there are currently 10 counties in Iowa with shared engineers, which includes Rich Brumm, who splits duties between Mitchell and Worth counties.