The Greene County supervisors at their Oct. 14 heard a pair of options for renewal of the health benefits provided to employees. Ryan Berven of Gallagher, the county’s insurance and risk management consultant, provided year-to-date claim figures for 2026 and two scenarios for the 2027 renewal.
The first scenario keeps the county’s stop loss coverage at $90,000, resulting in a 5.14 percent increase in fixed costs to the county. The option of increasing the stop loss coverage to $100,000, resulting in a 3.05 percent decrease in fixed costs.
According to Bervin, neither plan would result in a change in the premiums employees pay for health insurance. Dental insurance premiums will increase 2 percent and there would be no change in vision insurance.
The supervisors tabled a decision until the next meeting.
The supervisors set a public hearing on amendments to the county’s zoning ordinance regarding repowering wind turbines for Monday, Oct. 26, at 8:45 am at the courthouse. The public notice of the amendment published in The Jefferson Herald and The Scranton Journal includes a description of the changes. The entire ordinance is available for public inspection in the auditor’s office and on the county’s website.
Scranton fire chief Alex Duff requested the county pay $6,606 for all fire departments in the county on handling and managing electric vehicles at the time of an accident. Supervisor Joe Gannon said the Grand Junction and Jefferson fire departments have completed training provided at no charge through the Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau. The board suggested Duff contact that group and report back to them if the needed training can’t be scheduled.
City of Jefferson administrator Scott Peterson reported the tree committee planned to plant 90 trees that day. He lauded the tree committee for its hard work and fundraising success. That includes a two-year $30,000 grant to cover spring/fall plantings in 2026 and 2027. The Kiwanis Club is paid to water the trees as part of the grant.
During the Reports portion of the meeting, county attorney Thomas Laehn reported receiving a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding the locally-owned Junction Hilltop Wind Project. The project would be “grandfathered in”, as it predates the proposed amendments, and there is no plan to increase the height of the towers. Laehn said the MOU is “an act of good faith” on the part of Junction Hilltop Wind, showing the owners agree with everything the ordinance amendments would require.
Laehn requested the MOU be placed on the agenda for the Oct. 19 meeting.
County zoning officer Chuck Wenthold is receiving quotes for tuckpointing of the courthouse. He said water is coming through the exterior wall into the elevator shaft. One tuckpointing company has looked at the job and he said two more will come. Tuckpointing would possibly be part of the next fiscal year’s budget.
County engineer Wade Wiess reported on progress on the X Ave bridge, saying it’s “moving along nicely.” Shouldering on E-26 is planned for this week or next, depending on the weather.
He also said the Iowa Department of Transportation is considering a project at the intersection of “old Hwy 30”, now County Road E39, and “new” Hwy 30 near Ralston. The Y configuration at the intersection allows motorists to turn left from E39 onto Hwy 30, crossing traffic. A fatal accident occurred there last August. Weiss said the intersection was already included on the county’s safety action plan to the DOT.
Sheriff Jack Williams talked with the supervisors about capping the sewer lines to the former jail. He said his office has moved all its equipment from the building, but it’s necessary to flush the toilets in the cells to keep the sewer lines open. After some discussion, he was directed to contact a local plumber who is familiar with the building to cap the lines. The sheriff’s office has moved all its equipment out of the building and the county plans to use a portion of the building for storage in the short term.
