~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
The idea of a multicultural navigator position was discussed at the Feb. 16 meeting of the Greene County board of supervisors. Supervisor Pete Bardole reported the idea had been offered at a meeting of the Greene County Development Corporation he attended.
Chair John Muir suggested the position could be used by “anyone in need” in the county, especially people new to Greene County.
As in a past board meeting, Bardole and Muir again spoke of the county “needing to be prepared” but not identifying any specific imminent need for a multicultural navigator.
Muir spoke of “a gap” between “those who want it (a navigator) now” and others.
The board discussed the school district as being appropriate for hiring a navigator since young families would have contact with the school and could then be connected to needed services within Greene County.
“We have a long way to go before hiring,” Bardole said.
Bardole did not state if “we” meant the county, GCDC, the school, or if some other agency would be responsible for hiring.
Bardole reported the annual Market to Market Run on the Raccoon River Valley Trail is being planned and the Ring Out for Art contest has received 36 sculpture entries from six states.
He said photographs of the entries will be shown to the supervisors for them to choose which pieces of art will be displayed on courthouse grounds.
Phil Heisterkamp, chair of the Bell Tower Festival, spoke to the board about funding for the festival in June. The board had questions about a previously submitted budget request and wondered why an increase of $2,000 was needed over last year’s budget.
Heisterkamp explained the group needs to build a reserve of funds in case the event does not raise enough money to sustain itself for the next year.
At the end of later discussion about budget, the board decided to leave Bell Tower Festival funding at the FY2023 level of $3,000 and reduce the previous $7,000 request of Main Street/Chamber to $6,000.
The board unanimously approved an increase in hourly pay for part-time ambulance employee Jamie Brenner because Brenner has completed EMT certification. Brenner will earn $12 per hour effective Feb. 15.
The board continued lengthy discussion of the FY2024 departmental budget, again discussing the role of the cities in the county in supporting their local libraries.
Board members pointed out the cities do provide buildings, utilities, and other support.
The board eventually decided to keep the total base funding allocated to each of the six libraries in the county at the current FY2023 level. Base funding of $73,540 is allocated to the libraries based on their circulation records for rural patrons. Each will also receive $1,000.
The Library Association will receive $10,000 to use for shared projects in the county.
In other budget business, the board adjusted wages for environmental health and auditor A/P clerk positions to $50,000.
The board scheduled its next meeting for Tuesday, Feb. 21, because of the Presidents Day holiday. The agenda for that meeting will include property tax levies.
The board also set a public hearing for general and rural services property tax levies for Monday, March 13, at 9 am.
