The Greene County supervisors at their Nov. 12 meeting tabled two agenda items regarding the proposed HVAC project due to uncertainty caused by the failure of Public Measure IM in the Nov. 5 general election.
That measure, put before voters in the unincorporated areas of the county, would have allowed revenue from the local option sales and service tax (LOSST) to be used to guarantee bonds needed to finance the project. Only 37.18 percent of voters were in favor of the proposition; 60 percent plus one vote was needed.
The tabled items were a change to bid documents to add replacing the courthouse roof as an alternate bid, and approving a commissioning agent for the project.
Two supervisors, auditor Billie Jo Hoskins, and treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen planned to meet following the meeting with Heidi Kuehl of Northland Securities to discuss possible alternatives for funding the project.
County attorney Thomas Laehn reported that the Bremer County supervisors have submitted a notice to Summit Carbon Solutions informing Summit of their intent to require the company to abide by their local ordinances prior to building a carbon dioxide pipeline. He called that “a wise move” and said the Greene County supervisors should do the same, referring to local zoning ordinances.
He explained that would put “the ball in their court,” allowing the county to seek an injunction against the project should Summit proceed without a special use permit from the board of adjustment.
The need for a special use permit would apply to both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project.
Board chair John Muir directed Laehn to provide notification to Summit accordingly. There was no vote of the board, but no disagreement, either.
Laehn and supervisor Dan Benitz told the supervisors the county recycling agency intends to dissolve. The agency was formed in 1992, with a 28E agreement between the county, every town in the county, and Genesis Development. Genesis Development is no longer operating, making the agency obsolete. The city of Jefferson handles recycling for city residents and businesses, and Scranton and Grand Junction handle recycling as well. Drop-off bins are available in Jefferson to collect recycling material from other county residents. The city of Jefferson will do 28E agreements with the county and the affected cities.
Laehn outlined the process for dissolving the recycling agency’s 28E agreements.
Jefferson city administrator Scott Peterson was at the meeting. He said no one would see a change in how recycling operates, and that he doesn’t foresee a change in cost allocation. He said at this time, the only function of the recycling agency is to buy a $2,000 insurance policy every year.
During his monthly report to the supervisors, the only news shared by Peterson not previously reported on GreeneCountyNewsOnline is that the pickleball court will not be completed until next spring. The application of a final coating on the court is weather dependent, and the likelihood of the needed warm temperatures is very slim.
In routine business, the board approved the transfer of funds from the tax increment financing (TIF) fund to the debt service fund to pay $61,242.50 in interest due Dec. 1 on the general obligation urban renewal capital loan notes issued for the Greene County Career Academy.
The board also approved close to 50 disallowances of homestead and military tax credits.
Tori Riley removed her request to be on the agenda to suggest changes to the county’s policy regarding music played from the Mahanay bell tower.
