~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
The Greene County board of supervisors unanimously appointed John Muir as chair for 2021 at the regular organizational meeting on Jan. 4. Supervisor Dawn Rudolph was appointed vice-chair. Rudolph becomes chair pro tem if Muir is not in attendance at a meeting. Both Muir and Rudolph served in these positions in 2020 and several years prior to that.
The board reviewed supervisors’ terms of office: Mick Burkett (District 1) term ends 1/02/2025; Dawn Rudolph (District 2) term ends 1/03 2023; Tom Contner (District 3) term ends 1/03/2023; John Muir (District 4) term ends 1/02/2025; Peter Bardole (District 5) term ends 1/02/2025.
Meeting times for the board of supervisor remain Monday mornings at 8:30 am, year-round. If a Monday is a holiday, the regular meeting will occur on Tuesday. Other meetings will be scheduled as needed on Thursdays during the budget process.
County holidays remain President’s Day (Feb. 15); Memorial Day (May 31); Independence Day (July 5); Labor Day (Sept. 6); Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11); Thanksgiving (Nov. 25 and 26); Christmas (Dec. 23 and 24); New Year’s Day (Dec. 31).
Official county newspapers for the posting of notifications remain The Scranton Journal and The Jefferson Herald.
The board approved assignments to commissions, other boards, and committees including the civil service commission, Greene County board of health, Region XII, the Greene County compensation committee, Greene County Pioneer Cemetery Commission, Greene County medical examiner, conservation board, and many others. A complete list can be found in the minutes of the Jan. 4 board of supervisors meeting under GCNO’s Calendar/Agenda tab.
The board recognized supervisor Tom Contner for his participation on the New Opportunities board. Supervisors Pete Bardole and Tom Contner were mentioned for their work on the airport commission.
In other business, the board heard funding requests from the Mahanay Bell Tower Foundation, Region XII Council of Governments, and the Greene County Librarians Association.
Carole Custer, Bob Schwarzkopf, and Peg Raney represented the Bell Tower Community Foundation with Pat Richards attending the meeting electronically.
“Grants kept us afloat,” Custer said. She reported revenues at less than half a normal year due to the pandemic. Income in 2020 was $3,582 compared to $8,671 the previous year.
The group reported improvements to the tower through air conditioning, window repair, and the assistance of county engineer Wade Weiss on various projects. A permanent sign was installed on the north side of the tower telling of carillon history and donors.
The group believes advertising in the magazine Our Iowa helped tourism and will help in the future.
The foundation requested $8,500 for FY2022, an increase of $1,000 over the current year.
Region XII Council of Governments was represented by Rick Hunsaker, speaking to the board electronically through Zoom. COG administers Western Iowa Transit, the public transportation arm, and the Local Housing Trust Fund, among other programs.
Hunsaker discussed the council’s work coordinating with various federal programs to benefit the county.
Hunsaker said membership fees in the council will cost $.89 per county resident for a total of $8,309.04 for FY2022.
The Greene County Librarians Association was represented by librarians attending through Zoom and presenting a computer slide presentation about the online programs, in-person programs, summer reading program, and other services provided over the past year, adapting to the limitations of the pandemic.
The board commended the librarians and their boards for programs and services to residents of the county.
Jane Millard, GCLA vice-president, asked for an increase of 2 percent from $72,100 to $73,540, and for continued support of an additional $1,000 per library for FY2022. Millard also asked for a continuation of funding for cooperative library projects in the amount of $9,150.
The board took no action on funding requests.
