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

Supervisor Chair John Muir discussed a planning meeting with other officials concerning the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic. He said two supervisors, the emergency office center personnel, public health, the sheriff’s office, Greene County Medical Center representatives, county information technology administrator and county secondary roads were included in the meeting. Muir said they plan to continue county operations as normal, but with the courthouse remaining closed to the public. 

County Attorney Thomas Laehn then gave an update. He said his office has 38 pre-trial meetings this week via phone or email, due to the temporary mandate from the Iowa Supreme Court suspending in-person trial proceedings. He also mentioned that none of the inmates are being released from the Greene County Jail due to COVID-19 concerns. 

The Board then approved a local disaster declaration. Muir said the measure was done as a precaution. He added if the county had any positive cases of COVID-19, they could then apply for relief funds and resources from the federal or state governments, along with temporary restrictions the county could impose. 

Next, the Board said engineering firm Bolton and Menk opened bids at their office for an improvement project in drainage district 187. The bids will be presented to the Board at a future meeting. Additionally, the Board approved an agreement with Midwest Alarm Services to update the current fire alarm system in the courthouse. 

Finally, the Board approved Northland Securities as the dissemination agent. The agreement is a requirement from the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding any outstanding bonds, such as those with the career academy project with the Greene County School District.