By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Feb. 6 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, a citizen, Mark Drake, voiced a complaint during the Public Comments portion of the agenda.
“I live over by Bagley…they came in and took the trees out of the ditch without any notice. I’m just wondering why I wasn’t informed, and why that happened. What good did that do?” Drake said. “At one time, those trees were a windbreak for my bees.”
Supervisor Mike Dickson said the county removes trees as needed from the right of way.
“This was huge. There were a lot of trees,” Drake said.
Supervisor Brian Johnson said there are several reasons for the county to remove such trees, including wildlife issues and to allow sunlight to reach the roadway (to melt snow and ice). He assured Drake he would look into the situation and would get back to him.
Drake summarized that he understands there is no requirement to notify adjacent property owners when such work will be done, but he felt it would be a good practice.
“It just totally caught me off-guard,” Drake said.
New Opportunities Executive Director Chad Jensen provided an update on programs offered through that agency.
“If we look at individuals served in 2024, it was 845,” Jensen said. “Households served was 364.”
The supervisors heard from two departments regarding planning for the county’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
Brian Hoffman offered a budgetary status update regarding the courthouse security and information technology needs.
“We’re coming in about $2,400 more than we did last year,” Hoffman said.
Human Resources Coordinator Jamie Lindsay gave a budgetary summary on her department.
Through March, the Board of Supervisors meets regularly Tuesdays and Thursdays 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#.