~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
At the regular meeting of the Greene County board of supervisors April 3, county assessor Adam Smith told the supervisors assessment notices were mailed to residential, agricultural, and commercial property owners on Friday.
Smith said all property in the county and across the state has been assessed at a “substantial increase.”
GCNO research shows an average increase statewide of 20-25 percent in property values. Experts identify shortage of housing over pandemic years as a reason for increased valuation of property.
Through various media, property owners have been reminded that property taxes do not increase at the same rate as property valuation. Tax experts estimate the average increase in property tax across the state will be about 3 percent.
The board discussed Senate File 550, proposed legislation which would convert the local option sales and services tax (LOSST) to a statewide sales tax. The increase in sales tax would trigger the 3/8-cent allocation to the Iowa Water and Land Legacy trust fund, approved by voters several years ago.
After discussion, the board stated Greene County supports the current LOSST money operation as approved by local voters instead of making it a statewide operation. The board stated Greene County uses the one cent (per dollar spent) tax money for property tax reduction “and other legal purposes” according to the voter-approved resolution adopted by the board.
The board agreed it does not support loss of local control over the LOSST monies.
The board also agreed it would like to consider a resolution calling on the Iowa legislature not to enact SF550.
Chuck Wenthold, environmental department, reported National Grid Renewables has submitted a conditional use permit application. A meeting of the board of adjustment will be scheduled to consider it.
NGR is the company proposing construction of a solar farm south of Grand Junction.
County attorney Thomas Laehn gave the board information about the drug court in Webster County and said Greene County already is able to send defendants convicted of drug charges to that court if the defendant agrees to it ahead of conviction in Greene County.
Laehn said the process is “lengthy.” He described the program as “an intensive form of probation.”
Laehn has previously explained opioid settlement money could possibly be used for the county to officially join the drug court program in Webster County, along with other interested counties.
“By sending (convicted defendants) to the program, we can show we have a need here,” Laehn said.
Chair John Muir encouraged Laehn to follow up with more information to the board.
Engineer Wade Weiss reported the Verdin Company inspected the bells on the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower and found four bells have problems in the striking mechanism. Weiss said the bells’ positions on the outside of the tower could make lightning part of the problem.
Weiss asked the board if he should move forward to have Carroll Glass replace the bell tower entry door with a wider, more accessible, door for a cost estimated at $12,000.
Chair John Muir told Weiss the funding for that project “has not been identified yet.”
The Bell Tower Foundation reportedly has not completed a 28E agreement with the County which Thomas Laehn, county attorney, has repeatedly stated is necessary before the County can expend funds for tower repair and upkeep.
Supervisor Pete Bardole, board representative to the Tower Foundation, told the board the Bell Tower Foundation would like to wait “until after the 18th” to talk about a 28E.
Weiss also reported a representative from C.H. McGuiness spoke to him about maintenance issues involving the courthouse boiler. Weiss did not identify the issues.
C.H. McGuiness, located in Des Moines, is a 70-year-old company selling and maintaining industrial and commercial heating equipment.
The board unanimously approved an agreement between the Greene County sheriff’s office and AFSCME (Iowa Council 61/Local 3949) running from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 calling for a 10 percent wage increase for fulltime deputies and a 6 percent wage increase for fulltime jailers and dispatchers.
The agreement also calls for a 6 percent wage increase for part-time employees.
Changes to the grievance procedure are reportedly included in the agreement.
The board unanimously approved a new lease agreement with Access Systems Leasing for copier and printer leasing in the treasurer’s office.
Treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen told the board she negotiated the new agreement with Access Systems Leasing for $150 less per month.
Mechaelsen recommended the board adopt one master vendor agreement covering all departments leasing copier systems and equipment. She said uniformity is needed for payment dates and lease periods.
Becky Wolf, public health director, gave the board a proclamation making April 3-9 National Public Health Week. Wolfe said the proclamation “calls upon the people of Greene County to observe the week by helping our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and leaders to better understand the value of public health and support great opportunities to adopt preventive lifestyle habits.”
The board unanimously adopted the proclamation.
