The Webster County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a resolution accepting the final plat for the new DBJG housing subdivision southwest of Fort Dodge.

The subdivision will consist of 14 single family residential lots on approximately 8.35 acres of land located approximately one-quarter mile northwest of the intersection of Old Highway 169 and 230th Street. This is south of the Webster County Fairgrounds.

“This is incredibly exciting to see this type of development going up in the county,” said Webster County Supervisor Mark Campbell. “As everybody knows, housing is a challenge, and we have a group of local investors that are willing to take this risk on and do it. Thank you to those who are doing this.”

The supervisors also approved the second consideration of an amendment regarding the search for hydrogen in the Vincent area. According to Planning and Zoning Administrator Jeff Johnson, the Planning and Zoning Commission has been in discussions with Twin Rivers Exploration for more than a year as the company has been seeking hydrogen in the area.

“This amendment plans for future facilities that may be developed if the element is extracted and transported by rail or truck,” said Johnson. “We see that a facility like this would definitely have impacts to the rural areas, so this is why we recommended the conditional use permit be established for the storage and transportation and to address all of the impacts that this would have.”

The third and final hearing of the amendment is set for Oct. 22 at the Board of Supervisors regular meeting.

The supervisors also approved the hiring of Keaton Lunn as a deputy in the Webster County Sheriff’s Department effective Oct. 14. Lunn was previously with the Fort Dodge Police Department and Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department and will begin at a full-time salary of $35.09 per hour.

“Keaton is an incredible hire,” said Campbell. “You guys obviously have set a very high bar and it’s great to see him with us.”

The supervisors accepted the highest of two bids for a two-year farmland lease of the Murphy Trust Farm. The bid was awarded to Brian Allen, of Fort Dodge, for $360 per acre.

A professional services agreement was signed with Snyder & Associates, of Ankeny, Tuesday for a parking lot study of the Webster County Department of Human Services building, 330 First Ave. N.

“During heavy rains, the water was washing back to the north end of the parking lot and down the hill (causing problems for the landowner below), so we contacted Paul Jacobson and he is coming up with a plan for us,” said Supervisor Bob Thode.

The contract with Snyder & Associates is not to exceed $5,000.

Also Tuesday, Webster County Auditor Doreen Pliner stated that nearly 1,300 absentee ballots had been requested by residents. All requested ballots will begin to be mailed out next Wednesday. Pliner also noted that beginning at 8 a.m. next Wednesday any resident who would like to vote early may do so in the Webster County Courthouse Conference Room.

“It will be a very busy day,” said Pliner.