The results from the June 2 primary were certified Monday during the Union County Board of Supervisors meeting in the Union County Courthouse. With no clear winner in the race for the Republican nomination for sheriff, the results will be forwarded to the Union County Republican central office where the committee will choose the nominee.
The only other contested Republican race in Union County saw David Young beating Bill Schafer for the Republican nomination for District 3, U.S. Representative. On the Democratic side, Theresa Greenfield led the field for the U.S. Senate.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate posted that more than 500,000 Iowans voted in the primary, surpassing the previous primary record of 449,490 in 1994.
Record turnout across the state was also reflected in Union County.
Hysell said the primary saw a 41% turnout in Union County. Approximately 4,700 ballots were counted overall as opposed to 814 in the last primary. Absentee voting was up with 2.030 ballots compared to 189 in the previous one. There were 2778 absentee ballots cast in the most recent presidential election.
Union County's complete election results are available at https://unioncountyiowa.org/departments/auditor/elections/
Emergency radio
The emergency radio system continues to be on track to go live July 1. The Lorimor water tower is being painted and trainer dates have been scheduled. Once the system is active, Motorola representatives will drive the county roads to check that the target of 95% coverage has been met. Union County Emergency Management Director Jo Duckworth will double check some of the problem areas in the county as well.
Once those checks have been made, the final mobile radios will be installed in law enforcement and secondary roads vehicles and the switch to the new system will be complete. Duckworth estimated this will happen by the end of July.
Secondary roads
More discussion was held on the dust control policy for gravel roads in Union County., which costs the county approximately $111,000 per year.
Members of the board spoke in favor of discontinuing the current policy of providing gravel for each spot where a resident requests dust control while continuing to prepare the area prior to application in order to fix potholes or other problems.
Union County Engineer Zach Gunsolley said his crew would then treat the road the same as they would any other stretch of road, fixing areas and adding gravel where needed.
“I would be in favor of ending it (the policy) for a few years,” Gunsolley said.
Residents would also have the option of using a program approved last year where they can pay for gravel and the secondary roads department would be responsible for applying it.
Supervisor chair Rick Friday said he had communicated with two residents who said they did not realize the county was paying for the gravel and would like the policy changed.
Dan McIntosh of Southern Iowa Regional Water Association had also contacted Friday and said SIRWA would be willing to pay for the gravel and labor used on its gravel roads prior to dust control application.
No decision was reached as the board decided to allow one more week for public input.
Juvenile court office
Progress is being made on moving the state juvenile court office into the lower level of the courthouse.
A request by the state for Union County to pay for needed data cabling was denied by the supervisors.
Chris Patterson, via phone from the state juvenile court office, said state believes data cable is part of the infrastructure and, therefore the county’s responsibility, but his office was prepared to assume the cost if needed.
Supervisor Ron Riley said the cabling should be at state expense. The county is providing and renovating the space free of charge.
“We’re offering the office, painting and new carpet,” auditor Sandy Hysell said.
The Union County Board of Supervisors meets weekly 9 a.m. Monday at the Union County Courthouse, 300 N. Pine St. The supervisors are still meeting in person at this time, but the public is encouraged to submit comments for public forum by mail, email or telephone to help limit the gathering to ten participants.