County agrees to provide $15,000 annually to animal shelter operations
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
The Greene County board of supervisors heard concerns about the Kading housing project during the open forum part of the meeting on Oct. 16. Developer Kading Construction has proposed “workforce housing” in the northeast part of Jefferson.
Margaret and Larry Saddoris, owners of apartments for rent under the business title of Camden Enterprises, used the supervisors’ open forum to publicize again their opinions of the project. Margaret Saddoris about “misappropriation of funds”, citing Greene County Development Corporation’s gift of land to Kading for building.
Margaret Saddoris said, “Others have had to pay for their land (to build housing units.)” She estimated land given to Kading by GCDC as selling for $15,000 per acre.
“This is a huge hand-out to someone not even local,” she said. “There have also been tax abatements and tax credits promised.”
Saddoris estimated the tax breaks to Kading would total $2 million over a 10-year period.
“This is more a city issue than a county one,” chair John Muir said, “but (the board’s understanding is) employers need places for employees to live.”
Saddoris said she believes estimates of housing units needed in the community to accommodate workers needed for available jobs has been “inflated.” She said her research determined there are 57 open jobs available which have been inflated to 300 jobs available in order to justify the Kading housing project.
“This will transform the community for better or for worse,” she said, discussing the possibility people might move to the community and then not find adequate work.
The underlying issue was whether poor, unskilled, and undereducated people might move into the housing and become burdens to social service programs and the school system.
Jefferson city administrator Scott Peterson said the Kading properties “would not accept Section 8,” referring to low-income federal housing.
“This would not be subsidized housing. Rents would be market-rate,” he said.
There was some discussion of the wages jobs might pay and whether this would be enough for employees to afford market-rate housing.
Supervisor Dan Benitz asked, “Do we have adequate fire and police protection and services?”
(Editor’s note: The county allocates $50,000 per year to GDCD because economic development can benefit the entire county. The county has no other involvement in the Kading project as it is located entirely within Jefferson city limits.)
In other business, county attorney Thomas Laehn gave the board copies of the proposed 28E agreement between the animal shelter, owned by the city of Jefferson, and the county.
Laehn said the city agreed all county animals will be accepted and all fees waived. He said county animals are taken to the shelter “six or so times a year,” according to sheriff Jack Williams. Laehn said these were neglected or vicious animals and the county has a good relationship with Dr. Amy Klauer at Fairview Vet Clinic.
Laehn said the agreement “locks in” a $15,000 a year contribution from the county “for the duration of the agreement.” He said payment will be due every year on Dec. 1 with this year’s contribution pro-rated. Termination of the agreement can be by either the city or the county if written by Jan. 1 of each year.
Laehn said he “always writes in an escape hatch” in agreements.
Supervisor Dan Benitz said, “We’re paying more for this than Meals on Wheels.”
Supervisor Dawn Rudolph said the new shelter is a “lot safer environment.” She noted the shelter had been run by volunteers and now there are some paid employees.
The board unanimously approved the 28E agreement for sharing operating costs between the city of Jefferson and Greene County, though Benitz gave a “reluctant aye” and noted the agreement can be re-negotiated each year.
Attorney Laehn gave the board copies of the draft 28E agreement for the operation and management of the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower to review before final consideration for approval at the next board meeting Oct. 23.
Laehn said the agreement has been reviewed by the Bell Tower Community Foundation.
Engineer Wade Weiss reported on pavement projects and costs of raising grades for driveways. Weiss said there are various options to consider and he wants to “ease up on amounts borrowed.” Two possibilities under consideration are using asphalt compared to concrete in pavement projects.
The board unanimously approved hot melt asphalt (HMA) pavement widening with HMA resurfacing on County Road P-46 from 340th St north two miles to 320th St.
The board also unanimously approved a resolution transferring funds to secondary roads after the apportionment of tax collections in September: $57,401 was transferred from the general basic fund, $634,380.50 was transferred from the rural fund; and $180,000 was transferred from the LOSST fund.
The board accepted the 2023 weed commissioner report from Weiss and approved the 2024 county weed commission certification form.
Weiss spoke about spraying noxious weeds and getting thistles under control. He noted inquiry from the public about the use of “blanket spraying” over large areas and the use of Round-Up, which has been implicated in causing some types of cancer.
Weiss said the county does not use Round-Up and does not do blanket spraying.
The board unanimously accepted the treasurer’s quarterly investment report which included amounts for gaming deposits and drainage warrants.
A special Class C retail alcohol license for Cloud Wine, LLC, for Nov. 9-13, County Blessings’ holiday open house, was unanimously approved.
Discussion of the Hwy 25 Corridor Housing Initiative and a request to the board for funding will be on the agenda for Oct. 23 with presentations by Tina Beaman and Peggy Hoyt.
