For the first time in more than a decade, the Greene County supervisors did not elect John Muir as board chair. The supervisors held the annual organizational meeting Friday, Jan. 2.
Supervisor Peter Bardole nominated Dawn Rudolph, who has served as vice chair for many years, for the position of chair, after saying, “John, you’ve done a great job, but you’ve said at times that it’s time for somebody else to maybe step up.”
There were technical problems in opening the meeting, as Dan Benitz and Bardole were both trying to attend electronically. Bardole had not heard that Benitz had already nominated Muir. Benitz then asked Muir if he wanted to continue as chair. “Want and need are strong words. I have no problem doing it again, but… I know any of us is up to the job,” Muir answered.
Auditor Billie Jo Hoskins reminded the board that the nominations were considered as motions that needed a second. Supervisor Joe Gannon seconded Bardole’s motion to nominate Rudolph. There was no second to Benitz’s motion to nominate Muir, so the motion died. The supervisors closed nominations and then voted on the motion to nominate Rudolph. The supervisors then approved appointing Rudolf as chair. She was elected.
Bardole was nominated by Benitz to serve as vice chair. There were no other nominations and the board voted to appoint Bardole as vice chair.
The board approved its annual organizational resolution with very few changes. The resolution notes that the terms of supervisors Rudolph and Benitz end Jan. 3, 2027, while the terms of Gannon, Bardole and Muir end Jan. 2, 2029.
Days the courthouse will be closed in observance of federal holidays are Monday, Feb. 16, Presidents’ Day; Monday, May 25, Memorial Day; Friday, July 3, Independence Day; Monday, Sept. 7, Labor Day; Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25 & 26, Thanksgiving; Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24 & 25, Christmas; and Thursday, Jan. 1, 2027, New Year’s Day.
All towns in the county except Jefferson will see a 10 percent increase in what they pay the Greene County sheriff’s office for law enforcement services. The fee is charged on a per capita basis. According to sheriff Jack Williams, it’s the first increase since 2017. The board approved the 28E agreements with each city to provide the services.
During the open forum Pam Olerich, real estate and tax coordinator in the auditor’s office, presented taxable valuations for the FY2026/27 tax levies. Those are the valuations the supervisors will use in computing the budget for the year starting July 1, 2026.
Total valuations increased by 4.49 percent from the current year. Rural valuations increased 4.43 percent and urban valuations increased 4.67 percent.
Rippey saw the greatest increase in urban valuations, up 7.02 percent, due to activity at the coop there, Olerich said. Churdan valuations went up 6.34 percent and Paton valuations are up 5.91 percent. Valuation increases in other towns are Jefferson 4.89 percent, Dana, 3.51 percent, Grand Junction up 3.26 percent, and Scranton 1.69 percent.
Valuations in the Paton-Churdan Community School District reflect the increases in both towns, at an increase of 9.17 percent. Greene County Community School District valuations are up 3.73 percent.
Highland Township’s valuations are up 25.66 percent, due in large part to the NEW Cooperative expansion. Other increases are Bristol, 4.56 percent; Cedar, 3.78 percent; Dawson, 3.99 percent; Franklin, 4.97 percent; Grant, 8.13 percent; Greenbrier, 4.23 percent; Hardin, 3.80 percent; Jackson, 3.58 percent; Junction, 1.10 percent; Kendrick, 4.47 percent; Paton, 4.32 percent; Scranton, 4.49 percent; and Willow 4.98 percent. The total valuation in Washington Township decreased 4.12 percent. Olerich explained the decrease in Washington Township is due to large parcels of land being sold to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, making them non-taxable.
Total valuations in all townships is up 4.43 percent. The supervisors adopted a construction evaluation resolution relating to the construction of a confinement feeding operation structure. The resolution is passed annually to allow the supervisors to use the master matrix in evaluating any proposed hog confinement. “The master matrix may not be perfect, but it’s a guideline that we have,” Rudolph said.
