By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Oct. 20 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, Conservation Director Brad Halterman provided a fiscal year 2026 annual report.
“This year offered some unique challenges to the department, and I’m really proud of our staff for stepping up,” Halterman said,
He also reported on a roofing leak that was recently discovered at the Guthrie County Historical Village in Panora.
“With the September rains, we noticed some water in our depot at the Historical Village. We found some areas in the roof that needed some attention,” Halterman said. “Some repairs were made, but upon a close examination, we need a new roof on the depot.”
Halterman noted that fundraising is also ongoing for the roofing needed on the log cabin at the village. He described two options for completing the roof installation needed at the depot. He said he could ask the supervisors to consider a budget amendment of approximately $21,500. The other option, as Halterman described, is to use the $10,000 budgeted for Lenin Mill Park equipment for the roofing instead, and to delay by one month the hiring of the maintenance tech position for the conservation department. Halterman said that would free up funds to complete the needed roofing. He explained that the Lenin Mill Park project could be delayed and still hopefully qualify for a grant.
“The means we would start somebody right after the start of the year,” Halterman said of the maintenance tech position.
No formal action was taken by the supervisors, but supervisor Brian Johnson said he favors he second option. The matter will be discussed at a future meeting.
Veterans Affairs Director Beth Watson also provided a quarterly report on her department.
The supervisors meet regularly on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person at the courthouse or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#