Frequently Asked Questions

There are 565 miles of gravel roads and 148 miles of paved roads in the county.

For emergencies, please dial 911. For non-emergencies, please call the County Engineer’s office at 641-585-2905.

Contact an approved dust control contractor to arrange for service. They will help you obtain a County permit and submit the fee. The contractors will coordinate with the County to ensure proper road maintenance in the dust-controlled areas.

See our dust control section for further information.

Normal snow removal hours are between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. However, depending on snow and visibility conditions the snow removal may be altered, delayed, or suspended.

See our snow removal section for further information.
 

Here are some best practices to ensure cooperation with the County:    

1. Avoid making piles by the road. They are dangerous and can cause drifting to worsen.
2. Clear snow from around mailboxes after the storm. Snow plows have a difficult time maneuvering around mailboxes, especially when they are buried in snow and hard to see.
3. Avoid pushing snow onto or across the road. Pushing snow across the road can cause piles in the opposite ditch, resulting in snow traps. The snow that spills off of the edges of your plow can be packed down or frozen and be a hazard for motorists and county plows.

See our snow removal section for further information.

Mailboxes may be damaged during snow events. If a sound mailbox is damaged by a snow plow, the County will make temporary repairs so you can receive your mail. New mailbox posts will be installed in the spring.  If the damage is caused by the force of the flying snow the County does not assist in the repair of the mailbox. Please report damaged mailboxes to the County Engineer’s Office.

See our Mailbox Replacement Policy for more information.

Permit forms can be printed from our website or picked up from the County Engineer’s Office. Permits can be mailed, emailed, or dropped off.  Permits are usually reviewed within 1-2 business days.

See our Oversize/Overweight permits section for further information.

Permit forms can be printed from our website or picked up from the County Engineer’s Office. Permits can be mailed, emailed, or dropped off. Permits are usually reviewed within 5-10 business days. Once you have a permit, you can hire a contractor or complete the work yourself.

See our Driveways and Entrance Permits section for further information.