The Jefferson City Council met Tuesday night in regular session.

During open forum, resident Tim Williamson asked the Council about a solar plant that was supposed to move into the Electrolux property. Council member Matt Wetrich said the Environmental Protection Agency instituted a policy that put a stop to that company. Williamson also brought up the topic about a new law that teachers could carry firearms if they underwent certain training and other qualifications. He asked the Council what was going to happen with the school buildings. He was directed to address the Greene County School Board at their next meeting.

The Council then held a public hearing on the 2025 fiscal year budget and the highlights of each department were presented. Following the hearing, where there were no comments made, the Council adopted the budget with a decrease in the overall tax levy to $14.88 per $1,000 of property valuation and the current fiscal year tax levy is $15.25. The Council also set the public hearing date for May 28th for amendments to the current fiscal year budget.

Next, the Council approved JP Morgan for the $1.7 million of corporate purpose bonds for purchasing two sanitation trucks, recycling carts and resurfacing East Lincoln Way. The Council also approved to forgive the rest of a high sewer bill at 406 North Cedar Street as the leak in a crawl space occurred in two billing months and Council member Chad Sloan voted no. They also approved appointing Kyle DeMoss as the interim water superintendent as Marty Murphy resigned and DeMoss will be paid $32.09 per hour. 

Additionally, the Council approved OPN Architects for $31,840 for visioning and planning possible expansion of the Greene County Community Center with funds from the Autenreith donation, purchasing a cement screed with a planner from Bartell Global for $10,267 and a concrete saw from Greene County for $6,000, a change order for a total of $102,932 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant improvement project, and that includes adding 200 days for completion due to delays from manufacturers on a switchboard and transformer. 

The Council approved the first reading to amend the recycling ordinance. The changes include providing all residents with a recycling cart for single-stream recycling, multi-family residences may also be issued a cart for up to three residences per cart, businesses can request a cart and must have a location that it can be picked up by the automated truck, and there would be an additional charge for houses that want a second cart. 

Next, the Council approved a resolution of support for Origin Homes to apply for Workforce Housing Tax Credits through Iowa Economic Development Authority to build three single family homes on in-fill lots, one of which is still in negotiations for the city to own a property. The Council also approved a settlement with EMC Insurance to Jamie Brenner for $150,000, hiring Noah Luther to be a patrol officer with a salary of $58,583, and a plat of survey for 4 Line Ranch to split the north 60 feet of property and sell to an adjacent landowner who wants to build a home. 

Finally, the Mayor Craig Berry made a proclamation that June is Barbie Month in Jefferson. This was because of a large donation of Barbie dolls to the museum that will be on display in June.