Darrell Pettis

The Trail Action Plan for the City of Jackson and Jackson County serves as a living guide to direct future investments in expanding the regional trail system. Developed through a six-month collaborative process, the plan aims to create a scenic, family-friendly network that connects the City of Jackson to county and state parks. Its core goals focus on enhancing recreation, promoting public health through active lifestyles, boosting tourism, fostering environmental awareness, and improving community engagement. The plan outlines priority routes and strategies to build safe, attractive, and accessible connections, ultimately improving the quality of life for residents and visitors.

The proceedings involved two primary hearings conducted by the Drainage Authority. The first hearing concerned the Split of CD 16, with discussions including the purpose of the hearing, review of notice requirements, viewer's recommendations, fund status, and possible actions such as dividing CD 16 North from CD 16 (renaming CD 16 to County Ditch 126), accepting the Redetermination for CD 16 North, and approving fund balance allocation. The second hearing addressed the Consolidation of CD 14, CD 15, and CD 16 South, covering the purpose, viewer's presentation of the Consolidated Redetermination, recommendation for collecting existing fund deficits, and potential actions like naming the consolidation County Ditch 127, accepting the Consolidation Redetermination, and approving a fund balance collection plan.

The agenda included approval of previous meeting minutes, claims, retired IS equipment, an Opioid Settlement Funds Request for Proposals (RFP), and a Joint Powers Agreement with Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System to guarantee GO Bonds. The board also discussed and approved a contract extension for the Avenu Tax/CAMA systems, retailer's licenses for the sale of tobacco and malt liquor, participation in national opioid settlements, and a habitat easement acquisition by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Additionally, they awarded a contract for SAP 032-629-048 to Midwest Contracting, LLC and approved a final payment for SAP 032-614-050 to Icon, LLC. The board also discussed the Jackson County Opioid Epidemic Response RFP, aimed at identifying qualified organizations to respond to the opioid crisis through prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction strategies.

The agenda includes approval of minutes from the previous meeting, approval of claims, and reappointments to the Board of Adjustment & Planning Commission. Also discussed are the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) Grant Agreement & Resolution, contracts and bonds, UOCAVA Ballot Board Resolution, a RAGBRAI donation, and subsurface treatment loans. The board will also discuss the 2026 Preliminary Property Tax Levy and setting the 2026 Levy and Budget Public Comment Meeting. The Drainage Authority meeting will address the CD 117 Redetermination of Benefits Findings & Order.

The Jackson County Board meeting included discussion and approval of a consent agenda covering various financial disbursements, contract extensions for tax systems, retailer's licenses for tobacco and malt liquor sales, participation in national opioid settlements, and the awarding of a construction project. The board also certified land acquisitions for habitat easements by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Additionally, commissioners reported on meetings and events related to various committees and councils.