Auditor Jane Heun’s last meeting after 22 years in office
Greene County sheriff’s deputies, dispatchers and jailers may receive a Christmas in July gift, although they won’t see it until August.
Greene County sheriff Jack Williams told the county supervisors at their July 10 meeting that even with 10 percent wage increases that became effective July 1, Greene County wages are still $15,000 to $20,000 less than what’s paid in neighboring counties.
Williams suggested another $12,000 (annual) wage increase for deputies and a $6,000 (annual) increase for dispatchers and jailers.
He said he has two vacant deputy positions and has received no applications. “I have to do something to stay competitive, or at least be somewhat competitive with other counties,” he said.
He added that the Jefferson police department is short three officers, and that he thinks the sheriff’s office will be called on to cover JPD shifts. “That’s going to be pretty difficult to do,” he said.
The current starting annual wage for deputies is $61,882. Williams said a $12,000 increase would move the wage to about what neighboring counties were paying before July 1.
Board chair John Muir thanked Williams for keeping the board up to date. “One of the main things that people expect is law enforcement,” he said.
Total increase in wages for deputies, dispatchers and jailers would be $130,000, without the county’s FICA and IPERS contributions. Deputies’ wages come from the rural levy, with dispatchers and jailers being paid from the general levy.
The agenda item was to “discuss” law enforcement wages, not to change them, so no motion was made. That will likely be on the July 17 supervisors’ agenda.
Per the county’s contract with AFSCME Iowa Council 61, the union to which law enforcement employees belong, fulltime deputies received 10 percent wage increases and dispatchers and jailers received 6 percent wage increases effective July 1. The current agreement ends June 30, 2024. A vote to recertify the union as representing employees must be done in October.
During the Reports portion of the meeting Muir spoke about the July 6 public hearing on a conditional use permit for Grand Junction Solar LLC. Muir thanked county zoning official Chuck Wenthold, board of adjustment chair Mike Holden and county attorney Thomas Laehn for the time they spent in public hearings on the project.
Muir attended the hearing and said there was “good discussion with good explanations.” He suggested that in the “not too far out future” the supervisors discuss some amendments to the solar ordinance based on what was learned through the process with Grand Junction Solar.
The supervisors heard an update from Jefferson city administrator Scott Peterson. He reported the city is applying for “Thriving Community” designation from the Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The designation recognizes communities that are using best practices to attract housing development for their workforce. Developers who build in towns that have earned the designation will receive extra points on applications for the federal housing tax credit and/or workforce housing tax credit programs.
County engineer Wade Weiss reported that Osceola County secondary roads lost a truck in a fire and has asked to rent 1999 and 2000 Sterling trucks owned by Greene County but not currently in use. Over the eight months Osceola County needs them, Greene County will receive more than $64,000 in rent. Weiss called the agreement “a win for them and a slight win for us.”
Weiss plans to sell the trucks after they’re returned.
The supervisors approved a seat belt and restraint policy for all county employees driving county-owned vehicles or their own vehicles while on county business.
The supervisors reappointed Karla Janning as the Greene County representative to Region XII Regional Housing Authority board of directors.
The board approved a temporary transfer of $150,000 from the general fund to the debt service fund for the third of four payments to Midland Power for the land and building that is now the Law Enforcement Administration Center. The general fund will be repaid through the debt service levy.
The meeting was Jane Heun’s last meeting as auditor, as her retirement is effective July 14. She was presented with a certificate noting her 22 years as auditor.
Billie Jo Hoskins will be appointed as auditor at the July 17 meeting.
