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

During open forum, Mary Ellen Holz addressed the Board about a concern with the solar energy ordinance. She asked about a proposed amendment that includes the geographical area of a solar energy project that is limited to 1,000 acres and if a company decides to separate into several projects within the same area of 1,000 acres. 

County Attorney Thomas Laehn responded saying he didn’t think energy companies would do that and that the Board is required under state law to encourage the use of solar energy and preserve agricultural land. Supervisor Dawn Rudolph said energy companies also want to be profitable and if they go below 1,000 acres, those companies no longer would be. 

Then during the public hearing about the proposed amendments for the solar energy ordinance, Laehn reviewed each change, of which there were several. There were no other public comments made and the Board then approved the first of three readings for the ordinance change. Next, the Board approved a 28E agreement with Dallas County to use an emergency communications tower in Perry to install some Greene County equipment so that the new tower can be linked into the state system. Greene County also agrees to record all emergency calls for Dallas County to be used as a backup.

Greene County Development Corporation Board President Scott Weber then gave an update. He said the organization is updating its website and social media presence. They are also working on business transitions with retiring business owners and what to do with empty buildings. He also mentioned that Midwest Missions has extended their lease at the former Aeron building and Sara Huddleston was hired to be the Multicultural Family Resource Center Director and will start on June 1st.

The Board then held a brief discussion about the music policy with the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower. Music Coordinator Peg Raney explained that a new theme was created last year from a contest at the Bell Tower Festival. The new theme was to draw attention that something special was happening downtown. She asked if Mahanay Musician Bill Monroe could play the theme right after the Westminster chimes at 8am and 8pm to signify the beginning and end of the day. County Attorney Thomas Laehn said an amendment to the policy was not needed, since Monroe had discretion and authority to do that on his own as part of the existing policy.

Additionally, the Board approved the county treasurer’s quarterly report of fees and a resolution transferring the second half of funding to the Secondary Roads Department from Local Option Sales and Services Tax of $180,000 and rural funds for $634,380.