~by Janice Harbaugh for Greene County News Online
Careful re-opening, growth, and change after months of pandemic restriction were discussed by the Greene County board of supervisors at their regular meeting June 1. This was the last meeting to be held electronically as the next meeting on June 8 will be open to the public in the courthouse boardroom at 8:30 am.
Attention will still focus on social distancing and hygiene at the public meeting to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Growth came in the form of a housing project proposed in Scranton. Supervisor Dawn Rudolph asked for a letter of support for a four-plex project proposed by Andy Rowland, developer of a similar 12-plex housing project in Jefferson east of St. Joseph Parish Center.
The four-plex with garage units would be located on the corner of State and Lincoln Sts in Scranton.
Rowland is submitting a tax credit grant application to the State of Iowa for the project. According to supervisor Dawn Rudolph, Scranton Manufacturing has agreed to provide financial assistance and the city of Scranton has provided the lots and cleaned up the property.
A letter of support and a one-time $10,000 commitment to Greene County Development Corporation (GCDC) from the board of supervisors would be the same as the board provided for the Rowland project in Jefferson.
The board unanimously approved the letter of support and the financial commitment. Auditor Jane Heun said funding would probably come from Dreyfus funds and general funds for economic development.
A change of location for city and county law enforcement administration, and an eventual new jail, were discussed as negotiations continue with Midland Cooperative to purchase its Jefferson building. The Midland building is located west of the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
The current law enforcement center located at 204 S. Chestnut St has been plagued with space, design, and maintenance problems, according to reports received from state inspectors at previous board meetings.
The board was in general agreement about the “purchase being good for everything, including the taxpayers.”
Rudolph said, “We’d be showing the State we’re trying to resolve the problems.”
The board discussed expenses and logistics of moving and set a target date for moving around the first of the year, if the purchase continues smoothly. Legalities involving 28E agreements with the city were discussed with county attorney Thomas Laehn.
In other business, Chuck Wenthold, environmental health and zoning coordinator, told the board the construction permit for the Saddoris hog confinement located in South Junction Township has been issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Wenthold said the Saddorises have one year from the date of the permit to break ground at the site.
Engineer Wade Weiss reported chloride applications on the roads and weed control applications in the ditches will begin this week.
