~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
At the regular meeting of the Greene County board of supervisors on Feb 8, supervisor Dawn Rudolph responded to concerns she has received from the public about changes in mental health services.
Rudolph emphasized the county has not dropped mental health services.
“The position of mental health services coordinator was eliminated,” said Rudolph, “but services have been transferred to the Central Iowa Community Services region.”
Patti Treibel-Leeds, a CICS administrative team member, told the board Greene County is being staffed on a part-time weekly basis beginning Feb 8. Treibel-Leeds said the sheriff’s office, board of supervisors, and county attorney’s office have contact information.
Phone numbers for assistance are also posted on the coordinator’s office door located on the main floor of the courthouse.
County attorney Thomas Laehn reported on opioid litigation, an ongoing process involving the attorneys general of many states attempting to recoup money from drug manufacturers that states have spent on treatment for opioid problems.
Laehn said he believes a settlement is near and all counties within the state will receive part of the settlement whether they joined in the litigation or not.
Engineer Wade Weiss reported he and county attorney Laehn are working on a dust control ordinance for the board to consider.
Weiss also reported wind turbine representatives have requested a temporary structure for working on blade replacement rather than transporting blades to a work facility. Transporting blades involves heavy equipment and causes road wear, according to Weiss.
Chuck Wenthold, environmental department, reported NEW Cooperative will be asking the board for formal approval to install four 45,000 gallon propane tanks. Board permission is required under state fire marshal rules.
NEW Cooperative is located south of Cooper on Highway 4 and is a grain facility and pellet feeding mill with branches at other Iowa locations.
The board unanimously approved a grant application to Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation by ambulance director Michele Madsen for help in funding a new ambulance. A letter of support was also unanimously approved.
Madsen said a Type 1 four-wheel drive ambulance is needed. She said it would replace an older ambulance that could be used as a back-up in a smaller community in the county. Madsen said the cost of the new unit is nearly $257,000.
Madsen said she has also applied for assistance to the Department of Homeland Security, Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
The board discussed replacement schedules for vehicles. It appears age has been used in the past as an indicator for replacement.
“We might want to consider miles rather than age (as a replacement indicator) going forward,” said board chair John Muir. “We try to provide all employees with first-class equipment.”
Chris Henning, manager of the local farmers market, requested policy from the board as to use of the courthouse, courthouse grounds, and other county buildings by individuals or groups.
