Greene County Supervisors Approve Resolution for Special Election on New Jail

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

During reports, Greene County Environmental and Zoning Administrator Chuck Wenthold reported that he and District Drainage Clerk Michelle Fields continue to work with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources regarding a hog manure spill near Cooper and he expected an update to happen this week.

County Attorney Thomas Laehn mentioned that there was a jury trial last week and ended in a guilty verdict. He said the last two jury trials both ended with guilty verdicts against the accused. Then Jefferson resident Annie Ostendorf talked about a community event when RVTV is in Jefferson on Tuesday, September 5th from 4-10pm with free food and games on the south and west sides of the downtown square.

The Board then approved a resolution for a special election on November 7th on the issuance of general obligation bonds not to exceed $10 million for a new county jail. They also approved a federal aid agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation for the County Highway Bridge Program on 280th Street over Snake Creek for $575,000, and a Carillon concert with Rick Morain to play college fight songs from 4:30-5pm on Tuesday, September 5th.

The Board also held a lengthy discussion during its consideration about amending a resolution to authorize year-round decorative lighting for the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower. A proposed change to a previously approved resolution was to allow for randomly colored lights to be on the bell tower every night instead of just Fridays and Saturdays, along with specific colored lights in recognition of county holidays. Bell Tower Community Foundation Board members Peg Raney and Bonnie Silbaugh recommended having the colored lights every evening and Supervisor Pete Bardole was also in favor of it. Supervisor Co-Chair Dawn Rudolph commented that she wasn’t ready to make that change because the Board had already decided on a policy two weeks ago. Following the discussion, the Board tabled their decision to their next meeting on Tuesday.

Finally, the Board voted against abating taxes for three properties for the City of Jefferson. The three properties were the Greene County Animal Shelter, 307 North Wilson Avenue and 105 East Adams Street for a total of over $3,500. The Board unanimously voted against abating all three properties because they felt that the taxes should have been paid as part of the closing disclosure agreement between the City and the previous landowners.