~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
The Greene County board of supervisors discussed guidelines for spending money the county will soon receive from the government-funded American Rescue Plan. Auditor Jane Heun had told the supervisors about the plan at the previous board meeting.
Heun had applied for the funds designated for Greene County and told the board the funding had now been approved.
“I’m working with the state auditor’s office to understand how the money can be spent,” Heun said. “The first half is $863,000, arriving soon.”
“The interim guidelines say the money can be spent on public health, broadband service, water and sewer, and extra pay for certain groups,” Heun said. “Cities receiving funds can do joint projects with counties.”
“We must amend the budget in the next fiscal year to include this money,” Heun added.
According to a government website, the federal government has allocated nearly $1 billion to county and city governments in Iowa to help with the loss of tax revenue when businesses closed due to the pandemic. The money can be used for public health, infrastructure, and other economic problems caused by the pandemic.
The supervisors set up a working group composed of supervisors Pete Bardole and Dawn Rudolph, auditor Jane Heun, county engineer Wade Weiss, E911 Doug Hawn, county treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen, and county attorney Thomas Laehn to make a priority list for projects needed.
Previously, Heun had said the money can be spent over a four-year period.
In other business, the board unanimously approved a cigarette/nicotine/vapor permit for Paton Pit Stop.
During committee reports, supervisor Pete Bardole spoke about his attendance at Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Commission meetings and the need for a possible juvenile detention building addition to the new LEC.
“We might need different insurance,” Bardole said.
The board adjourned in time to attend a 9:15 am send-off for the Greene County boys soccer team as they advanced to the state soccer tournament.
