~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
The Greene County board of supervisors discussed a grant application from the Highway 25 Corridor Housing Initiative at the regular meeting on Dec. 4. The 25CHI Corp. had asked about a grant from Louis Dreyfus funding at a previous meeting. Money through 25CHI is used for renovation projects of the exteriors of houses or buildings.
Discussion was about “keeping things even” in granting money to communities in Greene County.
Supervisor Dawn Rudolph said grants to each community have been in the range of $10,000 each for housing. She said Scranton was granted $10,000 through funding to Greene County Development Corporation for building new housing in the community. The cost of materials increased to the point new housing is not feasible.
“Building in Scranton is not worth the cost,” supervisor Pete Bardole said.
The board discussed moving the $10,000 from GCDC to 25CHI to be used in renovation instead of new construction and not approving the 25CHI application for Dreyfus funds. A decision was tabled until a procedure for reclaiming the money from GCDC could be discussed with that group.
“We need to invest the same in all communities,” Rudolph said.
Investment in the communities is partially based on population as the board noted Jefferson has received $30,000, with Rippey, Grand Junction, and Paton having received $5,000 each thus far from county money.
In other business, environmental health coordinator Chuck Wenthold presented the Planning and Zoning board recommendation to reclassify property in Highland Township from agricultural to commercial. This would allow NEW Cooperative to build and operate new grain storage facilities near Churdan.
Frank Huseman, operations manager for NEW Coop, told the board they would like to construct two fabric storage units for grain. The company already operates fabric units at their facility near Cooper.
“The fabric units will hold 2.75 million bushels of corn and 1 million bushels of soy beans,” Huseman said. “We have the room for expansion and can be in operation by next fall to receive corn and beans.”
Huseman said the choice of fabric units was based on the availability of materials and cost.
“Fabric costs $2.00 a bushel to construct while steel and concrete cost $4.00 to $6.00 per bushel,” he said.
“It’s good business for Greene County,” supervisor Dan Benitz said.
The board unanimously approved the reclassification of Parcel B of Lot 3 North half Section Twenty-seven in Highland Township from agricultural to commercial.
Real estate coordinator Pam Olerich presented an estimated 50 homestead and military exemption disallowances to the board for approval. Exemptions are disallowed when a property covered by the exemptions is sold to a new owner. If the new owner qualifies for either exemption, they must make new application.
“We had a lot of sales last year,” Olerich said.
The board unanimously approved the disallowances.
County engineer Wade Weiss reported on current and future projects. He said work on P-46 north of Dawson has been delayed for a February bid-letting and there is a bid-letting for the bridge over Snake Creek.
Weiss said other counties have had trouble getting equipment delivered, including Carroll County needing parts for their snowplows.
“We have been helping other counties out,” Weiss said. He said his department tries to keep extra parts in stock so has been able to help when needed. Weiss said it’s always possible Greene County might need to ask a favor at some future time, too.
“It’s good practice,” chair John Muir said. “We’re good with helping out neighboring counties.”
County attorney Thomas Laehn reported 100 pending cases. He said a normal caseload would be 60-70 cases.
“We are allocated 10 trial dates per year (by court administration.) We have been granted 12 scheduled dates this year,” Leahn said. “The next trial is scheduled for Dec. 12.”
Laehn said an upcoming trial will need testimony from an expert witness “which is costly.”
Laehn also told the board there should be a 28E agreement between the County and Greene County Development Corporation.
“Every non-profit we give money to needs to have a 28E agreement in place,” Laehn said.
Laehn also mentioned a possible future need for ordinances to cover solar farms in the county.
Wenthold reported on the cleaning project in progress for the courthouse attic and basement. He said much progress has been made.
Wenthold and attorney Laehn told the board they are working on an ordinance to allow for the sale or auction of excess furniture.
The board briefly discussed the need for new representatives on the Compensation Board and the cost of living index.
