The Warren County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 6 approved several administrative and capital items, including security camera installations at the county yard and conservation properties, a federally funded bridge replacement contract, a facilities preauthorization threshold for small nonstructural purchases, an early-hire budget amendment for the county attorney's office and an ARPA reimbursement request for Indianola Main Street.

The board approved Miller Electric quotes for new cameras at the conservation site ($15,260.71) and the county yard (approximately $42,009.83 for the higher-resolution option). Conservation staff said the conservation cameras will be added to the county's system to consolidate management; staff described the purchases as one-time equipment costs without recurring subscription fees.

The board awarded Contract ID 91C091-142 for a bridge replacement on 65th Avenue over Branch South River to the low bidder, Herberger Construction, at $856,773.70. Public works staff said the project is funded through the Federal Highway Bridge Program and will not run through the county's local budget.

On facilities administration, the board approved preauthorization guidelines allowing the facilities committee to approve nonstructural space modification requests up to $5,000 if the work is within the requesting department's budget; the board asked staff to draft a resolution reflecting that threshold.

The board approved a budget amendment to allow an early hire and shadowing in the county attorney's office ahead of an expected January retirement. Staff described two salary-range options tied to a percentage of the current attorney's salary (roughly 82.5% and 85%); supervisors indicated support for the higher percentage to attract a candidate. The requested amendment also included a roughly $3,000 payout for accrued sick leave.

The board also approved a request from Indianola Main Street to use remaining ARPA 'Wonder on Buxton' funds to reimburse roughly $2,800 in unanticipated concrete costs for two new public sculptures and to pay for banners around the square.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes, hires, previous meetings): approved (motion carries).
- Claims: $172,305.75 — approved (motion carries).
- Operation Greenlight proclamation (declare November 2025 to honor veterans and light the Justice Center green): approved (motion carries).
- National Injury Prevention Day proclamation (Nov. 18, 2025): approved (motion carries).
- Cameras for conservation and county yard (Miller Electric quotes; conservation $15,260.71; county yard approx. $42,009.83): approved (motion carries).
- Facilities preauthorization guidelines (nonstructural, <= $5,000, within department budget): approved (motion carries).
- Budget amendment for early hire in county attorney's office (salary range options ~82.5% to 85% of current salary; includes ~$3,000 sick payout): approved (motion carries).
- Contract ID 91C091-142, 65th Avenue bridge replacement (Herberger Construction, $856,773.70): awarded (motion carries).
- Administrative audit of a precinct after machine jam (elections): authorized (motion carries).
- Chapter 25 (camper/RV ordinance) — second-reading move/continuation to work session for final edits: approved on second reading (roll call recorded with one No and remaining Ayes; motion carries).
- ARPA backfill for Indianola Main Street/Wonder on Buxton (concrete reimbursement/banners): approved (motion carries).
- Receive and file: Veterans Affairs report: approved (motion carries).

What the board said

Chair Aaron DeCock used the supervisors' reports to urge voter engagement and participation in local elections: "If you care about your property tax bill, then get involved in these local races," he said, stressing the impact of local boards and school districts on tax bills.

Staff and supervisors said several measures, notably the cameras and bridge contract, are funded through nonlocal sources (vendor quotes and federal bridge funding respectively) and will not increase ongoing subscription costs for the county.

Why it matters

The bridge contract uses federal funding, so construction will not come from county operating funds. The facilities threshold is intended to speed minor operational repairs and purchases while keeping them within departmental budgets. The RV ordinance (Chapter 25) advancement indicates the county is moving to regulate long-term habitation of campers and recreational vehicles in unincorporated areas, with enforcement and specific language to be refined in a subsequent work session.

Implementation notes

- Cameras: one-time capital purchase; no subscription model reported.
- Bridge: funded by the Federal Highway Bridge Program.
- Facilities threshold: staff to draft a formal resolution reflecting the $5,000, nonstructural, within-budget rule.

Sources: Warren County Board of Supervisors meeting transcript, Nov. 6, 2025.