Total valuation up 2.12 percent for year
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
The Greene County board of supervisors unanimously approved a construction evaluation resolution regarding construction of confinement feeding operations (CAFO) in the county for 2021. The resolution outlines the board’s responsibilities as to evaluation of construction permit applications.
Adoption of the resolution was necessary to enable the board to submit their approval or disapproval to the Department of Natural Resources for CAFO construction permit applications received between February 1, 2021 and January 31, 2022.
The board adopts a similar resolution every year.
According to the resolution, “only counties that have adopted a construction evaluation resolution and submitted an adopted recommendation (approve or disapprove) may contest the DNR’s decision regarding a specific application.”
The resolution also states the board of supervisors agrees to evaluate every construction permit application using the master matrix created by Iowa Code section 459.305, and submit a recommendation regarding that application to the DNR.
Use of the master matrix comes under fire when neighbors and other interested parties oppose a new CAFO. The supervisors have many times said they’re required to recommend approval of the construction permit if the master matrix meets the required point total.
GCNO notes that the resolution states, “the board’s recommendation to the DNR may be based on the final score on the master matrix or may be based on reasons other than the final score on the master matrix.”
Still, despite discussion of the resolution among board members at the Monday meeting, at least one board member stated he believes the county has “no say” in the approval of CAFO construction permit applications. The board member appears to believe the DNR requires all construction permit applications to be approved by the county if a certain score is obtained on the master matrix.
GCNO was unable to identify the dissenting board member by voice through Zoom.
Chair John Muir said the board still is required to notify the public of construction permit applications and is required to send public comments to the DNR. Muir added, “We don’t have to have public hearings and we don’t have to notify neighbors.”
Board consensus seemed to be that public hearings and neighbor notification will continue, however.
In other business, Pam Olerich, real estate coordinator, presented information to be used in calculating FY2021-2022 tax levies. Olerich noted a 3.02 percent increase in rural valuation and a .15 percent decrease in urban valuation. Combined rural and urban valuation shows an increase of 2.12 percent.
The taxable valuation is the first figure used in calculating the budget, with the levy rate set accordingly to generate the required revenue called for in the budget. Levying the same rate as the current year would yield 2.12 percent more revenue.
A member of the county compensation board earlier this month incorrectly stated the total taxable valuation increased 4 percent when discussing salary increases for elected officials.
Greene County public health director Becky Wolf reported on the state of the pandemic in Greene County and progress on vaccinations.
Wolf cited a 10.1 percent positivity rate over the past 14 days and said she is “thrilled” the rate is “slowing down.” She attributed the progress to the mask mandate adopted by the supervisors.
“Partnerships have come together,” Wolf said.
Wolf reported the vaccine manufactured by Moderna arrived in the county last week and at least 20 people have been vaccinated. For larger groups of people, Clover Hall at the county fairgrounds and the Scranton Community Center are being considered as vaccination sites, she said.
“The vaccines are free,” said Wolf. “Providers can bill insurance for the administration of the vaccines.”
“Last December, we couldn’t even dream of what has transpired over the past months,” Wolf said, referring to the pandemic.
Greene County public health requested $300,000 in funding for FY 2022. Public health is funded through several sources including grants, Wolf said.
Philip Heistercamp, representing the Bell Tower Festival, reported the cancellation of last year’s festival resulted in county-allotted money being banked toward next year’s festival. The Mission Impossible theme will be carried forward in either a single-day celebration or a weekend event. The event is planned for the second weekend in June.
The Bell Tower Festival steering committee requested $3,000 in county funding, the same as the current year.
Chad Jensen of New Opportunities reported various programs and services served 1,507 people in 622 families over the past year. Telehealth, heating assistance, WIC (Women, Infants, Children), financial literacy, substance abuse, gambling addiction treatment, and opioid response were some of the services mentioned by Jensen.
“We serve over 50 more families now,” Jensen said.
New Opportunities requested funding remain the same for FY 22 with $5,304 for Greene County Family Development Center, $6,979 for the Substance Abuse Treatment Program, and $7,608 for the Substance Abuse Prevention Program.
Cherie Cerveny, Bill Monroe, and Jacque Andrew, representing the Greene County Early Learning Center, reported attendance is down because of the pandemic. Groundbreaking for the new facility is being planned for summer 2021.
Muir praised the group, saying, “People feel comfortable leaving kids in your care.”
The Early Learning Center requested $5,000 for FY2022, the same as the current year.
Roger Aegerter, director of the Greene County Historical Society, reported the museum has been closed due to the pandemic except for several small group tours. Aegerter said the building has maintenance needs. The Historical Society requested $6,000 for FY 22, the same as the current year.
Doug Hawn, representing the Greene County Fair Association, reported a modified fair for 4-H was held last summer due to the pandemic. Hawn presented a written report and proposed budget to the board. The Fair Association requested $24,000, the same as this year.
Central Iowa Tourism sent a written request for $400 for FY 22. This is the same as in previous years. Central Iowa Tourism is a publication advertising places and events in central Iowa.
The board took no action on the funding requests.
The board approved a request by treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen to increase employee Jessica Larson’s annual salary by $500 after her completion of a four-month probationary period and performance review. The raise becomes effective January 1, 2021.
