Bureau County Board 3-9

PRINCETON — The Bureau County Board conducted the following business at its March 9 meeting at the county courthouse in Princeton:

• Discussed the condition of Plank Road in eastern Bureau County, and a request from a local gravel pit business for use of Plank Road by its trucks.

County Engineer John Gross said the gravel pit is, no doubt, part of the reason Plank Road is in such bad condition. The road would have to be resurfaced before a loaded gravel pit trucks could use it.

Board member Rick Wilkin said the county board has required a road agreement with the wind farm developers, and the county should consider requiring the same from the new gravel pit owners.

Bureau County State’s Attorney Patrick Herrmann said the county would have to determine how much road damage was done by the gravel pit, as opposed to area farm vehicles, trucks and other traffic.

Transportation Committee Chairman Steve Sondgeroth said the committee will further discuss the issue at its next meeting.

• Approved a general preliminary engineering supplement service for work on the Wyanet bridge replacement project, at a cost of $25,845. The original preliminary engineering costs was about $207,000, followed by a first needed engineering supplement work, at a cost of $71,068.

• Approved the county highway engineer’s salary at $95,600, which is split 50/50 between the state and the county’s Motor Fuel Tax funds. The engineer’s salary is at 97 percent of the state’s recommendation.

• Approved the 2008-09 audit as presented and reviewed and agreed to go out for auditor bids, for a three-year contract.

• Approved a Crescent Ridge Escrow agreement adjustment to allow Crescent Ridge to change from Amcore Bank to Citizens First National Bank.