County supervisors discontinue their contract with SEH Colby for work on county zoning ordinance

The consulting firm of SEH-Colby will no longer be working on updating Winneshiek County's zoning ordinances.

Winneshiek County supervisors voted 5-0 Monday afternoon to terminate their contract with the firm.  Supervisors last month sent a letter to the consulting firm which outlined "Items that could be improved." 

A two-page report from County Planning & Zoning Commission Chair Wendy Stevens to county supervisors highlighted very poor proofreading by the consultant, but also addressed the need for having a better work timeline, so that more work was done earlier.  It also cited a need to have a smoother process of making changes to the ordinances.  County supervisor John Beard said there had been "a pattern of sloppy work" by the consulting firm, while Stevens stated, "Right now I would not hire them for future work."

On Monday the county board voted to cut its ties with the firm and to instead have the County Attorney and Assistant County Attorney draw up proposed zoning ordinance language to regulate mining operations in Winneshiek County.