The vast majority of functions and offices at the Marshall County Courthouse will be closed on Wednesday, July 22 for the RAGBRAI overnight event after the Board of Supervisors approved the decision during Wednesday morning’s regular meeting.

Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO John Hall, who is co-chairing the Marshalltown RAGBRAI committee, addressed the supervisors and explained that the expo area will be centered around downtown. He added that the committee is finalizing its request for the use of the courthouse grounds, but that isn’t quite ready for official approval yet.

“The reality is that the impact around the courthouse, around downtown, is gonna be pretty substantial,” Hall said. “Certainly, it’s your guys’ discretion on whether the county offices are open that day, but from a general public coming and conducting business (standpoint), I think the expectation is that we will try to caution the public to try and stay away from coming down here if their only intention is general doing business with the county that day. It will be hectic. The parking will be limited, and we’d rather folks come down and enjoy and support the RAGBRAI efforts.”

If they did choose to close for the day, Hall suggested encouraging employees to volunteer with the caveat that he would probably need Buildings and Grounds Director Lucas Baedke throughout the day regardless.

“I’ll be available,” Baedke said.

Hall noted that County Engineer Paul Geilenfeldt and his team would also be heavily involved in the efforts. In response to a question from Supervisor Carol Hibbs, he said Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic as well as one block north and one block south. Church Street will likely be open with shuttle routes stopping at the bus stop on the south edge of the courthouse lawn.

County Auditor/Recorder Nan Benson reported that she had spoken with the clerk of court, and the district judge is not allowing the courts to close for the day. She also said the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is planning some sort of outdoor setup to show off the K-9 unit. Sheriff Joel Phillips, however, said he could lock the courthouse but maintain accessibility for anyone who needs to do something courts related. There are no trials currently planned for that day.

Hall encouraged anyone interested in volunteering for RAGBRAI to visit marshalltownragbrai.com with schedules to be finalized at a later date, and Hibbs said county employees would be welcome to assist with the Veterans Affairs exhibit near the memorial.

“I can tell you, 10, 12 years ago or whenever RAGBRAI was here before, I was a volunteer, and I had an absolute blast until I got soaked in rain, but it was a fun thing to do,” Board Chairman Jarret Heil said. “It’s not a drag. It’s fun, and it’s a good way to help showcase your community and be part of something.”

The opportunities are widely varied, ranging from checking IDs at the beer garden to collecting garbage, and volunteers are needed at all times of day.

“The hardest shifts to cover are the ones that start at 10:30 or 11:00 after the band winds down. We’ve got to get Main Street back open by the next morning, and so the more hands that we’ve got for that, the more minutes of sleep I can try and achieve that night. And I’m counting it in minutes, not hours,” Hall said.

Hibbs then asked for information on the route out of town the next morning, which will run through Green Mountain, Beaman, Grundy Center and Reinbeck en route to the next overnight stop in Independence. Hall explained that the main campground will be near the YMCA/YWCA, and riders will take West Madison/East Nevada Street to 7th Avenue before heading up to Main Street and leaving town after passing the giant trowel at MARSHALLTOWN Company. From there, they will take East Main Street to Wallace Avenue and head north out of Marshall County.

Hall estimated that all riders would be out of town by 10 or 11 a.m. on that Thursday morning, and some could leave as early as 4 or 5 a.m. due to the long distance they have to cover.

“By noon, it should be a regular day,” he said.

The board ultimately voted unanimously to close courthouse offices and all related offices affected by RAGBRAI traffic on July 22 and encourage employees to volunteer.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the consent agenda as listed.

• Approved an alcoholic beverage license renewal for Lincoln Valley Golf Course and a tobacco license renewal for Prime Stop.

• Approved a Training Day closure of the courthouse offices on Tuesday, May 26.

• Adopted the annual noxious weed resolution.

• Canceled two outstanding warrants issued more than a year ago for RK Dixon and Marshalltown Development Group.

• Appointed Maria Vargas Gonzalez as the deputy auditor/recorder at an annual salary of $85,596.45.

• Approved an agreement form with Snyder and Associates for acquisition plats and easement exhibits.

• Approved the purchase of a Caterpillar M320 wheeled excavator for $346,336.29 and an FAE BL4/EX/SONIC-125 Forestry Mulcher for $75,132 from Ziegler CAT in Altoona.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.