~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
Greene County residents and others who are in the county are being asked to continue wearing face masks through March 31.
The board of supervisors at its Jan. 14 meeting unanimously approved a resolution to extend the mandated wearing of face coverings in Greene County from Jan 15 through March 31, 2021 due to the “ongoing public health crisis.”
In other business, the public art policy enacted by the board of supervisors in 2019 was once again in the spotlight. The policy was originally enacted to put the supervisors in control of art displays, other forms of art such as music, and events on county property.
County attorney Thomas Laehn previously advised the board that if one group is allowed to display or perform on county property, all groups must be allowed to do that, even people or groups espousing hate doctrines. The public art policy puts responsibility on the supervisors to decide what they want to express through various forms of art on county property and to initiate the production of the art by calling for displays or performances that meet their message.
On Jan 14, supervisor Peter Bardole told the board he had received a request that patriotic music be played from the bells at Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower on Inauguration Day. The board denied the request, reportedly made through the Bell Tower Foundation by a community group.
GCNO later contacted Bardole by telephone for more information.
“The public art policy does not permit groups or individuals to publicly suggest things to the board,” Bardole said. “Any ideas for art or music on county property have to originate with the board.”
Bardole said the request for patriotic music on Inauguration Day had to be denied because it came from a source other than the board itself. (GCNC notes that playing patriotic music from the bell tower was one of the dictates in the bequest from Floyd Mahanay gifting funds for the structure to the county.)
This interpretation of the public art policy has not been followed in the past as several groups have approached the board during open forum since the policy’s inception, asked for permission to display various things, and the board then wrote resolutions covering the requests if the projects did express a message the board approved.
Also, supervisor Bardole reported receiving requests from the public for livestreaming of supervisor’s board meetings. The board also discussed the idea of having meetings video recorded.
Board members’ reactions varied from “It’s done in other arenas,” to “I’m not interested in being in a reality show.”
Board chair John Muir said, “I wouldn’t want it to interrupt our business. Voters have entrusted us.”
Attorney Laehn described the draft of a new 28E agreement between the city of Jefferson and Greene County regarding the Law Enforcement Center moving to the Midland Power building west of Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
According to Laehn, the city and county law enforcement departments have shared the current LEC location at 204 S. Chestnut under a 28E agreement signed in 1972. Laehn described that agreement as “obsolete.”
Laehn will consult with the city’s attorney on the draft agreement.
The board unanimously approved a letter of support for a Greene County Historical Society grant application to the Greene County Community Foundation to place an historic marker or plaque at Squirrel Hollow.
The board acknowledged Squirrel Hollow as being the second oldest county park in Iowa, mentioning the grist mill there and the shelter house constructed by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s.
The board unanimously approved the hiring of Tyler Lux on an as-needed basis EMT for the ambulance department at a rate of $12 per hour.
Dennis Morlan, emergency management director, reported on a proposed FY2022 EMA budget. Morlan said the budget is unchanged except for a 2.5 percent raise for his position.
Morlan said, “I don’t think there’s a budget in the state that’s this lean.” He sees an important part of his job as “making sure we’re eligible for FEMA dollars.”
Greene County’s contribution for the emergency management operations is reported at $33,000 per year.
Requests for FY2022 funding were presented by the following county entities:
County veteran’s services director Mike Bierl reported expenditures estimated at $51,500 for veterans’ programs. He anticipates receiving a $10,000 grant from the State of Iowa.
Supervisor Dawn Rudolph told Bierl, “I like how you reach out to veterans.”
Treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen estimated revenues during FY2022 of $150,000 for vehicle registrations, driver license fees, and other fees. She anticipates a decrease in expenditures $293,000 to $280,000.
Ambulance director Michele Madsen estimated an increase in expenditures by $50,000 to $692,000 due to wages and possible ambulance purchase. She estimated revenues at $330,000 for FY2022.
Chuck Wenthold, environmental department, estimated revenues from well closings, water testing, septic and well permits, and other fees to be at $44,000. He estimated expenditures to remain stable at $75,000.
County sheriff Jack Williams reported on budget figures for FY2022 that have already been approved by the Joint Entity Board set up to oversee the joint operation of the new LEC at the Midland Building.
Williams reported estimated $54,500 in expenditures for the current LEC on Chestnut St and $125,000 for the new administrative building.
Williams also described partial cost estimates for bullet resistant glass, a generator, security cameras and secured doors in the new building. Williams said these costs should be the responsibility of the county.
The board took no action on funding requests.
