By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Sept. 30 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, County Engineer Josh Sebern shared his recommendations for the P28 Road project between Panora and Stuart.
Sebern explained that he suggests widening the road from Monteith to Stuart to the 26-foot paved width, which would add 2 feet of paved shoulder on each side of the road. He explained that the lanes would remain at their current width, but the paved shoulder would allow for rumble strips at the outside stripe, resulting in increased safety. He noted that P28 is the second-busiest road in Guthrie County.
“My thought is widening Stuart to Monteith, and that being the primary focus,” Sebern said. “From Monteith north, we handle that through maintenance and through other funds.”
Sebern explained that if the supervisors agree with this plan, the project will likely go out for bids in January or February of 2026 with an expected start date in or around August 2026.
The supervisors unanimously approved Sebern’s recommendation.
Sheriff Matt Harmann provided a departmental update.
“Since January, we’ve kept overtime to a bare minimum. There’s been not much at all,” Harmann said. “Calls for service looks like it will be up slightly from last year.”
Regarding calls for service, Harmann said the department totaled approximately 3,500 in 2024 but is ahead of that pace so far in 2025.
“Right now, we’re around 2,700, so it’s looking like it’ll be slightly higher,” Harmann said. He reported no significant new trends noted in the calls for service.
Harmann said the jail is continuing to see consistent occupancy.
“Things are going smooth in the jail,” Harmann said.
Harmann reported on the jail’s usage through the first six months of this year. He said 264 prisoners were admitted with 147 being Guthrie County residents and 117 out of county.
Supervisor Brian Johnson asked about the Sheriff’s department’s dogs. Harmann said the department has two canines, and he hopes that each can continue to serve for another four years or so.
The supervisors meet regularly on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#