~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
At the meeting Dec. 11, the Greene County board of supervisors, chaired by supervisor Dawn Rudolph in the absence of John Muir, began hearing requests for FY2025 funding from agencies and organizations providing services to Greene County. This process continues at each board meeting until all have been heard and a budget is hammered out by the supervisors prior to the budget hearing in March
A representative from Central Iowa Tourism described the advertising done in their magazine to promote the attractions and events in Greene County each year. As in previous years, the advertising fee and request remained at $400.
Jody Applegate, representing the Elderbridge Agency on Aging, attended through Zoom and described the meal programs they sponsor in a 29-county area. She said fundraising goes toward these programs.
Applegate said there are 2749 seniors in Greene County. Elderbridge asked the board for $3.15 per senior for FY2025, a total request of $8659.35.
A representative of the Elderserve congregate meal program in Greene County told the board 80-100 meals are served each day through the program.
“We have the largest meal site in 29 counties,” he said. “There are four Jefferson routes delivering meals and routes in Churdan, Grand Junction, and Scranton.”
Meals are served congregate-style at the Greenewood Center, 401 West Greenewood Road in Jefferson.
Elderserve said meals cost $8.58 each to provide and Elderbridge reimburses $3.09. He said the cost of food has increased and half of the seniors in the county live on less than $1000 per month.
“Every dollar raised goes back into the program,” he said. Elderbridge requested $15,000.00 for FY2025.
Ron Christensen, representing Heart of Iowa Habitat for Humanity, attended the meeting by Zoom and told the supervisors the Habitat office in Jefferson has been sold and he now works from an office in Boone.
Christensen described a deck rebuilding project through Helping Hands the past year and a roof project that wasn’t completed because the applicant moved. He said money left from the previous year’s fund of $5,000 will be applied to the coming year. Habitat again requested $5,000.
Supervisor Dawn Rudolph asked how people can apply for help. Christensen said people can go to the Heart of Iowa Habitat for Humanity website, or call, or email.
“Money granted by the supervisors will stay in Greene County,” he said.
No action was taken by the board.
Supervisor Rudolph said Churdan has committed (to the 25CHI) and Scranton will be pulled from the corridor if the city doesn’t approve participation.”
Supervisor Mick Burkett suggested tabling any action to transfer the money “until we know what Scranton is doing.”
County attorney Thomas Laehn reported the State Historical Preservation Office has given permission to move forward with building an emergency communications tower at Seven Hills Park southwest of Jefferson.
Laehn said cadaver dogs were used to explore the proposed building site to determine if there could be Native American burials there.
“Human remains detection showed the possibility of multiple bodies,” he said.
Laehn said the federal government requires tribal monitoring of the construction area in case artifacts are found, but the actual construction area appears to be clear. Laehn said he will work with Native American tribal leaders.
Laehn reported 2023 was “the busiest year by far for serious cases (in court), and we didn’t lose a single case.”
Laehn described several cases: an attempted murder case in Grand Junction, a case of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, a stepfather sex abuse case with another person aiding and abetting. Laehn said the stepfather was sentenced to 55 years in prison.
Laehn praised the “crucial work” of assistant county attorney Laura Snider and the thorough investigation and building of cases by local law enforcement.
Laehn said there are 97 pending cases.
Laehn also said a 28E agreement with GCDC has been drafted and the county is waiting on a response from that group. Laehn has previously said 28E agreements must be in place before the county can transfer money to an agency or organization.
“Sometimes agencies are concerned with the 28E agreement stating the county has the right to inspect their books (accounting),” Laehn said.
The board tabled action on reallocating $10,000 originally given to Greene County Development Corporation for new housing construction in Scranton. The board had previously discussed giving this money to the Highway 25 Corridor Housing Initiative for renovation projects since new construction has become prohibitively expensive. Scranton would be part of that corridor.
The board determined the initial approval to GCDC had been given in June 2020.
Engineer Wade Weiss reported on construction programs planned. He said P46 north of Dawson will be closed for a month in Dallas County when work begins there.
“The Snake Creek bridge will require coordination between us and electrical service providers as lines over the bridge will have to be shut down,” Weiss said, calling it a $180,000 project.
“Grimmell Road bridge will be let in June and construction begun in late fall,” he said. “The DNR is requiring the relocation of mussels upstream.”
Weiss said the Parkland Ave bridge work is also planned for FY2025 and is “highly traveled for grain.”
He said rehabilitation of the deck of a bridge north of E57 is planned for FY2026 and a bridge replacement is planned west of Highway 4 near Adaza in FY2027.
Weiss said federal bridge money will be used as well as city bridge funds for the Grimmell Road bridge which is in the city limits but is a farm to market road.
Weiss also spoke of changes in bridge ratings which could affect use by emergency vehicles from surrounding communities or counties.
Jefferson city administrator Scott Peterson reported the city will be making a Zoom presentation to several housing developers this week to promote construction in an Iowa Thriving Community.
Peterson updated the board on the proposed Kading housing project saying the next step is for them to create a “development agreement” with the city. Peterson emphasized the city has not committed to the Kading project yet.
Supervisor Rudolph asked about a “wetlands study.”
Peterson said the study information has been sent to the Army Corps of Engineers but “it’s not back yet.”
The board unanimously approved the applications of four veterans for homestead tax credits based on disability. The applications had first been submitted to Mike Bierl, veterans affairs, and the county assessor had “signed off” on them.
The board also approved a cost allocation plan certificate for CASI for FY2025 and an agreement for cost analysis from a consulting group so ambulance services could be approved for reimbursements for services provided to people who are in the Medicaid gap.
A question from a Zoom participant regarding information on the possibility of repaving the Raccoon River Valley Trail was referred to Greene County Conservation and not addressed by the supervisors.
