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

During open forum, the Supervisors discussed concerns with public art on the courthouse grounds. Supervisor Tom Contner was worried that by the Board allowing Jefferson Matters: Main Street to continue to display sculptures from their contest, that the Board would have to allow other individuals and organizations to display their public art. Supervisor Chair John Muir said that he didn’t want to interrupt JMMS’ plans this year, but that legal counsel recommended putting a stop to the process.

County Attorney Thomas Laehn said the Board couldn’t discriminate against private citizens wanting to display art, even if it is highly objectionable, because that would infringe upon free speech rights. The Board agreed to establish a policy regulating public art on the courthouse grounds.

The Board then heard an update on the Bell Tower Festival. Chair Pete Russell said they are going to have an “open concept” this year for the beer garden. Alcohol will be served in front of Greater Life Chiropractic and those with wristbands will be allowed to purchase and possess alcohol, while the downtown square will be gated off. Muir brought up a Board concern that even though the same concept was successful when theRegister’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) was held in Jefferson on the square, if there was a major issue this year they would re-evaluate the concept for next year. Festival Advisory Committee member Doug Rieder said they are going to have a blacklight dodgeball tournament and dance for the middle school students during the festival.

The Board then approved transferring the second half of rural basic funds to secondary roads of $569,075 and the second half of local option sales and services tax (LOSST) funds to secondary roads of $162,500, along with transferring $15,000 from general basic to the election equipment reserve fund. Additionally, the Board approved the engineer’s report for drainage district 14. The report included two options. One option was a $1 million improvement to replace all of the drainage tile with a larger tile line. The other option was a $225,000 repair to the lower 3,200-feet of replacing the same size drainage tile for that area. The public hearing is scheduled for June 3rd at 9am.

Finally, the Board approved a temporary road closure on Parkland Avenue between County Road E-53 and 222nd Street, due to damage to a bridge. The bridge is intact, but a piling was damaged due to the winter season. Heavy Contracting will evaluate the options before the Board will make a final decision. The bridge is on the five-year county construction plan to be replaced in the year 2021, but may be moved up depending on what the Board decides to do.