The Greene County Board of Supervisors met Monday in regular session.

Following a public hearing, the Board approved a loan agreement for $175,000 with the E-911 Board to update radio computer software and switch equipment to be compatible with the state’s interoperable communication system network. The loan will be paid back through surcharge revenues. Additionally, the Board approved the County Treasurer’s semi-annual report.

The Board also heard an update from the Greene County Chamber and Tourism and the Greene County Libraries Association as well as their 2020 fiscal year funding requests. The Chamber didn’t give a specific funding request, while the libraries association asked for an increase to the base amount for all of the libraries from $70,000 to $90,000, in addition to $1,000 per library and a $1,200 increase to their cooperative projects fund. The Board took no action on the request.

During open forum, County Attorney Thomas Laehn told the Board he is looking into another option for his assistant county attorney. Following the resignation of Tim Farmer, Laehn said he couldn’t justify keeping Farmer to only doing civil work for the county. He is looking at the next best candidate who applied, but his concern is with the salary amount the candidate requested.

Additionally in open forum, Emergency Medical Services Transitional Administrator Lacy Brubaker gave an update on EMS. She said she is submitting the service license application to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Officials will then do an on-site visit of the facility within 30-days of receiving the application. She is working with Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams on an application that will be given to all current employees. She noted to the Supervisors that they may have to pay more money in salaries to hire additional paramedics, because $3 per hour for some current employees will not attract new ones. One of the final parts is also deciding on salaries for all positions. The target date for the transition is April 1st.