The Greene County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday.
During open forum, the Board discussed a Second Amendment sanctuary proposal. Following the discussion, the Board agreed to allow the County Attorney and the County Sheriff to continue to not enforce laws that violate the U.S. Constitution. However, it was mentioned that if the need should arise to declare the matter through a resolution, that possibility still exists to do so.
Sheriff Jack Williams addressed the Board about an issue with jake brakes at a residence at 140th Street and N Avenue. Williams said truckers are going two hours out of their way to use their jake brakes near the residence. He told the Board if the issue continues, he will seek an ordinance preventing the use of jake brakes at that location. For now, Williams said he will have a deputy cover that area periodically to try and curb the issue.
County Attorney Thomas Laehn misspelled a rumor that he was going to apply for the open district court judge seat, left vacant by Judge Gina Badding, who recently was appointed to the Iowa Appellate Court. Laehn said he has no interest in being a judge at this time.
County Engineer Wade Weiss gave an update on the county’s allotment of funding through the federal American Rescue Plan. He said the funding can be used to install a new heating and cooling system in the courthouse for better air quality, as a mitigation effort against COVID-19. Weiss said they have until 2026 to use the funding, but thought the project would go out for bid in November of 2022.
The Board then approved the County Recorder’s report of fees for August of $26,257 and called for a special election whether or not to continue gambling games at the gambling structure in Greene County. The special election is required by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission eight years after the initial vote. The election will be held on November 2nd.
Following a closed session to discuss confidential records relating to the security measures of the courthouse, the Board then approved a grant application to the Secretary of State’s Office for $10,000 for cybersecurity relating to elections. The Board also approved a contract with SCI for security additions, should the grant be approved.
Finally, the Board held a discussion relating to a carbon dioxide pipeline project. The project includes 30 Iowa counties that would take carbon dioxide emissions from ethanol plants to North Dakota where it would be stored underground. County Environmental Administrator Chuck Wenthold said the proposed project would cross a few drainage districts and the newly constructed wind turbines, and the Louis Dreyfus plant in Grand Junction would be one of the participants. The public hearing for Greene County is scheduled for October 4th at 5pm at the Greene County High School auditorium.