The Greene County Board of Supervisors met Monday in regular session.
The Board discussed using the courthouse grounds for the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) on July 23rd. Plans include blocking off the entire downtown square to traffic and having access to the courthouse for RAGBRAI participants. Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams voiced concerns about public safety and courthouse security. Following the discussion, the Board wanted more information before deciding whether or not to close the courthouse for that day.
The Board then approved: a pay increase for Deputy Chris Frehse to $43,300 following his first year of employment as a certified deputy, two forgivable mortgage documents for the down payment assistance program, a contract with Cott System for county records preservation and maintenance as presented, the county substance abuse grant application with Billie Jo Hoskins as the authorized board signatory and final plans for a pavement widening and resurfacing project on County Road E-18 to be let through the Iowa Department of Transportation. Additionally, the Board heard an update from Genesis Development CEO Terry Johnson.
The Board also approved a letter in response to a constituent regarding Otter Creek project concerns with damage to a county resident’s property. In the letter, the Board consulted with the County Engineer’s office and found no merit to any of the resident’s concerns.
During open forum, Assistant Greene County Attorney Thomas Laehn updated the Board on the courthouse security committee. The Board agreed to allow the Sheriff’s office to implement a notification system for county employees if there were any credible threats made and that the Sheriff’s office would provide an active shooter training course, during non business hours for the courthouse, for any interested county employees.
Finally, County Engineer Wade Weiss and Drainage Clerk Michelle Fields updated that Board on two preliminary agreements with MidAmerican Energy’s wind turbine project. Weiss said before the road agreement was finalized, he wanted to see preliminary estimates from MidAmerican on damage costs to county roads from their last project last year, along with doing a pre-road condition survey before beginning construction on the next 85 wind turbines. Fields expressed concern with three turbines located either on or near a district waterway drainage line. She said she will feel more comfortable with the drainage agreement if MidAmerican agrees to move the three turbines. The Board felt comfortable considering both agreements at next week’s meeting.