Jones retiring from Union County Conservation

Union County Conservation Director Doug Jones told the board of supervisors Monday his plan to retire effective Feb. 7. Supervisors approved his retirement as Jones said his board is working on finding the next director.

Jones said of his 35 years in the industry, 27 of them have been in Union County. The retirement was part of Jones’ informing the supervisors of the fiscal year 2026 budget for conservation. Highlighting the budget proposal is the addition of new cabins at Three Mile Lake expected to be available this summer. The fiscal year begins July 1.

Each cabin is planned to be three bedrooms, one bathroom with a loft. The loft will be open space allowing additional sleeping area. The cabins will measure about 28 feet by 44 feet plus an 8-feet covered porch at the entrance. The cabins will be handicap accessible and have full kitchen and laundry services. Two of the three bedrooms will hold three people. Each cabin will have water and sewer.

Jones said conservation is optimistic the addition of the cabins will increase the revenue for the department. It will also increase the expenses.

Jones said he is hopeful winter snows and spring rains will put the water back into Three Mile. The lake is nearing the finish of an expansive improvement project by the state that required water levels to be lowered. Jones said that work is a main reason why camping revenue at the lake was not as strong last year as in past years. Jones said the work the state did has been very impressive and should give the lake many years of quality.

The lodge and conservation office at Three Mile Lake are undergoing repairs from the April 2024 storms that caused heavy damage to both. The lodge will be ready to rent beginning in February.

As part of his presentation, Jones explained two park rangers are proposed to receive 83% of the pay of the director. A maintenance technician will receive 74% of the director’s pay.

Supervisors did not take any action.

In other county news...

Union County Compensation Board members Bill Oetken and Sarah Long gave the board’s suggested additional amounts for elected officials pay in fiscal year 2026. Compensation board agreed last week for the auditor, recorder and treasurer to each receive 6%; supervisors, 4%; sheriff, 8% and attorney 2%. Another $3,500 would be for the budget director, which been auditor Sandy Hysell. Supervisors did not take any action on the proposals.

During the compensation board meetings earlier this month, county attorney Shane O’Toole and new sheriff Brian Bolton each said they do not want a raise. Supervisors asked why those two positions were included in their suggestions, knowing the requests of both O’Toole and Bolton. Oetken and Long each said not keeping pace with each salary may make Union County fall behind in pay amounts in the future, potentially creating much larger increases in the future to keep the positions appealing.

Bolton, who began the position this month after being elected in November, explained how wage increases were a significant part of his additional budget request. In comparison, Bolton said Adams County deputies are paid about $80,000 and Adair County deputies are at about $90,000 a year. Bolton said that is more than what Union County is at knowing Union County has a smaller staff with more population.

Bolton said he requires Union County deputies to live within the county as certain other counties and law enforcement agencies do not have the requirement. Supervisors said that may be a factor in the hiring process, which Bolton is doing to fill a vacant position. No action was taken.

Supervisors approved projects from Union County Engineer Christian Boehmer for two new bridges. A bridge on 265th Street, west of Sand Creek Drive. The bridge, 90 feet long and 30 feet wide, is estimated to cost $950,000. The second bridge at 240th Street west of Daisy is estimated at $1.2 million. Its dimensions are 120 feet long and 30 feet wide. Boehmer said Farm to Market Road funding will assist.

Boehmer said the bids will be written where approved contractors may start on the bridges in April 2026.

Supervisors approved a bid of $71,150 from QTC in Des Moines for a pair of portable traffic control lights. Boehmer said the lights will be effective for stretches of road undergoing improvements. The lights can be used instead of manned, flagger positions. Rather than traffic control, those staff members can be put to use with other work. Boehmer said the lights do have a solar-power feature.