Buena Vista Board to Consider Braun Intertec Utility Permit Feb. 10

The Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider a utility permit for Braun Intertec at its 9:30 a.m. Feb. 10 meeting in the Boardroom, according to the posted agenda. The agenda lists approval of the agenda followed by a 9:30–10:00 a.m. slot for "Engineer Bret Wilkinson - utility permit for Braun Intertec; Secondary R" - the latter entry is truncated in the posting.

The utility permit item arrives amid ongoing county road and bridge activity led by County Engineer Bret Wilkinson. County meeting records from Feb. 18, 2025 show Wilkinson presenting major transportation applications and bridge agreements that underscore the county’s continuing coordination needs with utilities and state agencies. Those minutes record a Region III Transportation Projects application for a Cold-in-Place Recycle and HMA overlay of 7 miles on M54 (210th Ave) from Hwy 3 north to Hwy 10, with an estimated cost of $3.4 million and an 80 percent federal reimbursement request of $2,720,000 and a $680,000 local match. The minutes note that "Wilkinson stated that this is eligible for Farm-to-Market funds for the local match."

The same February 2025 record captures operational realities that matter to Buena Vista residents. The Secondary Road Report noted crews "were out moving snow, with the motor graders out yesterday, and plows out over the weekend on hard surface roads." The record also shows Wilkinson seeking closer coordination with state and rail partners: "Wilkinson stated that he had a conversation with the DOT, and he is trying to get someone from the railroad to come in and talk to the Board." Board member Croker pressed the point about timing for utilities, with the minutes recording that "Croker asked when the utilities will know about the intersection, and Wilkinson responded that they have earlier plans." Croker added that "the sooner the utilities know about the intersection, the sooner they can make their plans."

Those past discussions provide context for the Braun Intertec permit, which could involve work in county right-of-way, affect local traffic or require staged construction tied to other road projects. The Feb. 2025 minutes also note a pending administrative step tied to local road signatures: "Engineer Bret Wilkinson stated that he needs one signature on 80th Ave. Wilkinson will try and have a conversation with IDOT in Ames when he is there on Friday."

For Buena Vista residents, the board’s action could determine whether Braun Intertec proceeds under county conditions and how utilities will be informed about intersections and related road projects. The meeting is open to the public in the Boardroom at 9:30 a.m. and the posted agenda indicates the permit discussion is set for a 9:30–10:00 a.m. block. Residents who want full details should request the complete Feb. 10 agenda packet or contact the county for copies of permit applications and maps; the board’s decision will influence timelines for road work, utility coordination and any traffic impacts that follow.