Buena Vista Supervisors Hold Special Session, Review Budget Requests and Infrastructure

The Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors is meeting in a special session Tuesday at 8:30 A.M. in the Boardroom to take up a concentrated agenda of equipment purchases and funding requests that will shape county services in the coming year. Engineer Bret Wilkinson opens the session with a Secondary Road Report and formal requests to purchase a mower and to order two tandem truck chassis, items central to seasonal road maintenance and snow removal capacity.

The session sets aside time to hear the public at 8:50 A.M., followed by routine action items including approval of minutes from December 16, 2025, and acceptance of departmental reports. At 9:00 A.M. Sheriff Kory Elston is scheduled to present a proposal to replace the main network switch for the LEC, a technology upgrade with direct implications for law enforcement communications, records access, and handling of digital evidence.

A series of scheduled presentations beginning at 9:15 A.M. will bring funding requests for FY 27 before the board. EMA Director Aimee Barritt will outline emergency management needs, followed by BV County EMS Association President Kirk Reetz with EMS funding priorities. Community and nonprofit requests include CAASA Executive Director Stephanie Henrich, Lucille Fitzhenry from the Buena Vista Historical Society, Gary Sundblad representing the Albert City Thresherman, Vernon Winterhof from the Hanover Historical Society, and Storm Lake United Executive Director Laura Hanks.

For local residents, the agenda items touch on everyday services. Approval to purchase and order Secondary Roads equipment affects road safety and the county ability to respond to winter storms and routine maintenance. The LEC network replacement aims to sustain police operations and public safety infrastructure. Decisions on FY 27 requests will influence emergency preparedness, ambulance services, victim support, preservation of local history, and community events that draw visitors and support local identity.

The meeting provides remote attendance access through a GoToMeeting link and dial in numbers for those who cannot attend in person. The board plans to adjourn the special session and reconvene in a regular session on Tuesday, December 30 at 8:30 A.M. Residents seeking to follow deliberations can use the remote access details provided by the county.