Winneshiek County supervisors want to know--do Frankville residents want a municipal water system or not?

Winneshiek County officials will be sending out certified letters to Frankville residents in an effort to make sure the community is interested in a municipal water system.

U.S. Department of Agriculture official Dennis Henke said the community could apply for USDA funding totaling $744,000, with $505,000 coming in grants and $239,000 coming in loans.  Henke said the USDA would fund either all or none of the construction costs.

But county supervisors want to make sure Frankville residents want the water system.  A previous survey showed 66 percent of 44 property owners in Frankville voting in favor of the system.  Opponents of the system showed up at Monday's county board meeting, prompting supervisor John Logsdon to tell the group "We're here to do the wishes of the community."

That's where the certified letters will come in.  They'll be sent to property owners in Frankville, asking them for signatures on whether they support the proposed water system or oppose it.  County supervisors also urged the Frankville residents to convene a meeting of their local government.  Said County Board Chairman Les Askelson, "It's in your hands."