Names committee to determine use of opioid settlement
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
Greene County will receive approximately $72,000 as its share of $345 million Iowa will receive through settlements with pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies found liable for the opioid crisis. The funds will be disbursed over five years.
At the board of supervisors’ Dec. 27 meeting, county attorney Thomas Laehn proposed forming a committee to determine how the money will be used to mitigate the effects of the opioid crisis, as required by the federal government.
Purchasing Narcan, a nasal spray that quickly reverses opioid overdose, training in the use of Narcan, and education about opioid addiction are among possible uses for the money.
He reported he had met with Greene County Public Health director Becky Wolf, Greene County Ambulance director Michele Madsen, and county treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen about forming a committee to oversee use of the settlement money. He said it was agreed that Madsen not serve on the committee so Greene County Ambulance could apply for funds.
The board okayed Laehn’s proposal.
The supervisors also approved a resolution (as required annually by the state) to use the master matrix process for evaluating construction permits for confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
The master matrix has been in place for several years. Supervisor Dan Benitz asked if it has been reviewed recently.
County sanitarian Chuck Wenthold said that would be “opening a can of worms.” He said the state is reluctant to open the matrix for updating because “that would open it up for everything. No one has supported doing that yet.”
The supervisors as a group said they haven’t heard of new CAFOs being planned in the county. Supervisor Peter Bardole, who owns CAFOs with his brother and nephew, said, “The economics are not there now.”
The supervisors awarded a contract for replacing the county bridge over Snake Creek on 280th St north of Rippey to Herberger Construction Co of Indianola with the low bid of $480,692.83. Six bids were received, with Herberger having the low bid. The high bid was $582,832.55.
Removal of the existing bridge may begin this winter, with construction starting in the spring. The entire cost of the project will be reimbursed to the county with federal funds.
Environmental health coordinator Chuck Wenthold reported a water leak in the courthouse basement. Bardole said the leak wasn’t huge, but something that needs to be addressed.
County treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen presented the treasurer’s semi-annual report with total revenues of $24,043,741 and total expenditures of $21,871,461.
She pointed out to the supervisors that the state legislature intends to do away with the ag land credit, homestead credit, military credit, business credit and elderly credit as part of decreasing overall property taxes. Those credits accounted for nearly $900,000 in the county’s revenue. “The state is trying to go away from those… If they take that money from us, we’re going to make that up somewhere. As you’re going into budget season, keep that in the backs of your head….They’re saying they want to decrease property tax. They’re not letting that flow through the county,” she said.
The board heard funding requests for FY2025 from The Children’s Center, Jefferson Matters, the Bell Tower Festival, and the Historical Society.
Cherie Cerveny, director of The Children’s Center (formerly Greene County Early Learning Center), requested $7,500 for FY2025, an increase of $2,500 over the FY2024 request. Cerveny said the Center, had a 15 percent increase in enrollment in 2023 and there is currently a waiting list of infants and children.
Amy Milligan, Jefferson Matters board president, requested $10,000 funding for FY2025. This is a $5,000 increase over FY2024 funding.
Milligan said Jefferson Matters works to “support, promote, and preserve downtown Jefferson” through the work of 100 volunteers, a website, Facebook page, and events throughout the year. She said Main Street’s Facebook page had 42,000 views in December alone.
Milligan said the Jefferson Matters budget is $125,000 per year and receives grants for projects.
She also shared that the former Wells Fargo building has been sold to a patent attorney who did a national search for a location. The buyer used the Experience Jefferson and other Main Street web sites in narrowing his search before visiting Jefferson. He told her he was drawn to the ambience and appearance of downtown Jefferson along with the Raccoon River Valley Trail and the Raccoon River for kayaking.
The Bell Tower Festival steering committee, represented by Phil Heisterkamp, requested $3,944 in funding for FY2025, an increase from $3,000 in FY2024. He said that amount would cover the deposit for the carnival company. Last year’s festival grossed about $60,000 with $50,000 in expenses.
Mike Piepel, representing the Greene County Historical Society, requested $6,500 funding for FY2025, an increase $500 over FY2024.
He said the Greene County Historical Museum has been ranked as one of the top five county museums in the state. He said future plans include finding a location to store or display farm machinery donated by the late Wallace Teagarden.
No action on any requests for funding was taken by the supervisors.
The board briefly discussed their calendar for 2024 and committee appointments for board members. Those items will be approved at the board’s organizational meeting Tuesday, Jan. 2.
