Supervisors sign architect's contract

It's official -- M Plus Architects will oversee construction of an annex building to help relieve space needs in the Plymouth County Courthouse.

The Plymouth County Supervisors Tuesday voted 4-1 to sign the contract hiring the Sioux City firm to follow the project from start to finish.

Supervisor Don Kass voted against the measure as he has consistently.

Since the beginning, Kass said, he thought M Plus's $36,400 contract cost too much and that other bidders should have been considered.

With Tuesday's approval, the next step is to develop a site plan for the annex building and discuss with Le Mars city officials as to whether a variance is needed to build on the courthouse property.

That matter will come before the Le Mars City Council at its Sept. 15 meeting.

The supervisors also:

*Tabled awarding a contract to Karr Tuckpointing Co., of Vinton, to tuckpoint the exterior of the Plymouth Life residential care facility on Highway 3. Karr was the only bidder on the project.

*Heard the Akron boat ramp will be open this week, weather permitting. Next week the secondary road department will add better surface material on the ramp so wet weather won't be a factor.

*Learned a permit to construct a recreational pond near Akron has been obtained. Work on the pond is expected to begin next spring.

*Heard the county conservation department will hold an elk auction at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 to sell three elk yearlings for slaughter only. Next year the department has the option of selling the elk live.

*Will canvass the Sept. 8 school election at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11.