Also hear comments on mask mandate, remote access to meetings
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
During the regular board meeting on March 22, the Greene County board of supervisors presided over a public hearing for the county’s proposed FY22 budget. This also included a salary schedule for elected officials recommended by the Greene County compensation board in December 2020.
During the hearing, Jerry Herrick appeared in person and questioned the board about the increases in taxes, 2.16 percent for general county services and 5.25 percent for rural county services.
Herrick called the increases “excessive.”
“It does put the maximum burden on property owners,” agreed board chair John Muir, “but we try to weigh the needs of all.”
Muir spoke of the county needing “another deputy and car” and “ambulance services to make the county run effectively.”
Muir and auditor Jane Heun explained the budget had been affected when the county took over the ambulance services in 2019. Heun also clarified that the total dollars raised by the rural levy increased 5.2 percent, rather than the actual levy rate increasing that amount, as Herrick had stated.
“Grand Junction’s sewer system is 100 years old,” Herrick said, questioning where county money was being spent.
“We still have TIF (Tax Increment Funding from wind turbines) money,” Muir said.
“Just don’t spend it before you get it,” Herrick said.
The board closed the public hearing after receiving no other oral or written objections to the budget.
The board unanimously approved Resolution 2021-10: Adoption of FY22 Salary Schedule for Elected Officials. These are the salary recommendations made by the compensation board in December, 2020, lowered by one-sixth as determined by the supervisors at their meeting on January 28.
All elected officials except the sheriff will receive a 2.5 percent increase; the sheriff will receive a 4.16 percent increase.
Annual salaries, effective July 1, will be: attorney, from $104,432 to $107,043; auditor from $64,870 to $66,492; recorder from $62,832 to $64,402; sheriff from $81,029 to $84,406; treasurer from $62,707 to $64,274; and supervisors from $29,667 to $30,408. Elected officials, including the supervisors, have the same health insurance benefit as county employees.
The board then approved Resolution 2021-11: Adoption of FY22 Greene County Budget, noting one oral objection had been heard during the public hearing.
Auditor Jane Heun was directed to certify and file the budget and certificate of taxes.
Supervisor Tom Contner was the only nay vote. Following the meeting, he told GCNO he voted against the budget because “there were issues on taxes I was upset about, and still am.”
Supervisor Dawn Rudolph asked Contner why he hadn’t mentioned his concerns during board discussion of the budget. Contner had no reply.
In other business, the board heard from the public during open forum concerning expiration of the mask mandate and continuation of remote access to board meetings through Zoom. The mask mandate expires March 31.
Nancy Hanaman from Rippey spoke in favor of continuing the mask mandate until more people are vaccinated for COVID-19.
“We think masks are still important and a way to try to slow spread of the virus,” said Muir. “We’re not saying not to wear masks.”
Supervisor Pete Bardole said, “We’re letting it (the mask mandate) sunset (on March 31), but not saying don’t wear masks. The majority of places (businesses) are saying please wear masks.”
Tori Riley, editor and publisher of Greene County News Online, supported the continuation of the mask mandate. Riley also urged continuation of public access to the meetings through zoom “for a long, long time.”
Riley spoke of the use of the technology as an example of the county’s technological growth and image.
“It improves constituent’s interaction with government and builds transparency,” she said.
The board took no formal action on either topic since the issues were not on the agenda.
Patti Treibel-Leeds, representing Central Iowa Community Services (CICS), reported on permanent staffing for the office in Greene County. After April 1, the office will be staffed on Wednesdays and Fridays with a service coordinator.
Treibel-Leeds said Kim Shomaker from Boone County will be in the office fulltime on those days. Treibel-Leeds will be in Greene County many Mondays.
The position of mental health services coordinator was eliminated at the Jefferson office in February, but services were transferred to CICS in Boone.
“We appreciate the way your organization has handled things,” Muir said.
Mike Bierl, veteran’s services, was present at the board meeting and recommended a photograph of a third veteran, Edward J. English, be added to the display honoring Greene County veterans in the courthouse. Bierl said English served on a submarine in World War II. He went missing in action when the submarine sank; his body was never recovered.
The board unanimously approved a resolution to amend the public art policy and add the photograph to the veterans’ display.
The resolution states: “The citizens of Greene County are indebted to our nation’s veterans, whose service and sacrifice have ensured our security and preserved our liberties against hostile states and enemy forces.”
“The Board of Supervisors wishes to display photographs in the Courthouse conveying a message of gratitude, respect, and esteem for our nation’s veterans.”
