5 things to know from the Jasper County Board of Supervisors meeting

1. May was proclaimed Mental Health Month. Jody Eaton, CEO of Central Iowa Community Services, told the board in the past year, calls for mental health assistance have gone up 195 percent for the first quarter of this year. Also, telepsych visits, a psychiatric consultation service provided at the Jasper County Jail, have seen an increase.

“We feel this is helping individuals to maybe address issues by phone, chat or text through the crisis line rather than go to the local ER,” Eaton said.

2. The board gave its support to help fund the Mariposa Lake Restoration Project. Originally, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources expected to fund the project 100 percent. After years passed from the original cost estimate, a new estimate was given at $2.3 million, a significantly increase.

To pay for the project, the DNR requested Jasper County contribute 18 percent or $415,444. Through grant writing, Jasper County Conservation Director Keri Van Zante has reduced that amount to $120,000. The final project cost will be determined following a bid letting scheduled for late summer or early fall.

3. Central Salt, LLC of Lyons, Kan. had the low bid for rock salt for the 2017-2018 winter season. The bid, which came in at $73.73 per ton, is lower than last year Jasper County Engineer Russ Stutt said.

The county is expected to purchase about 900 tons of salt this year.

4. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office was approved for a 28E Agreement to provide for use of outside law enforcement agencies during events, concerts, races and rallies held at Iowa Speedway. The agreement remains in effect until Dec. 31 and can be renewed in one-year terms until dissolved.

5. The Newton Wellness Coalition was approved to use the courthouse lawn for its Community Wellness Games scheduled for June 9. The event consists of group challenges that focus on four areas of wellness.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com