Walk-in service for driver’s renewals available again
Greene County treasurer Kaitlyn Mechaelsen shared good news for county residents at the board of supervisors meeting Oct. 28.
Her office is once again fully staffed, allowing them to provide walk-in service for driver’s license renewals four days a week, effective Nov. 1. Appointments will be required for Tuesdays.
Mechaelsen recommends persons make an appointment for CDL testing, and if a specific time is desired.
The treasurer’s office will continue to collect a $10 surcharge from out-of-county customers, she said.
County attorney Thomas Laehn recommended and the supervisors approved hiring Katilyn DiMaria as fulltime assistant county attorney, effective Jan. 2, at a starting salary of $95,000 annually.
DiMaria holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Albion College in Albion, MI, and a master’s degree in public administration and a juris doctorate degree from Drake University.
She currently works in private practice in Des Moines.
Laehn told the supervisors there is “statewide crisis” in finding attorneys in rural Iowa, and noted there are currently 36 openings for assistance county attorneys across the state.
Assistant county attorney Laura Snider is running for Iowa House in District 28 (West Des Moines). Laehn said if she wins, he will cover her caseload until DiMaria is “up to speed.” If Snider loses her election bid, the county attorney’s office will be “a bit overstaffed,” he said, but that it’s better to be proactive. He has already announced his plans to vacate the county attorney position during the 2026 election cycle.
The supervisors approved the 2025 health insurance renewal, with individual premiums decreased by 5 percent. Additionally, the county will increase its contribution to employee HSAs (health savings account) from $1,000 to $1,400 for single plans and from $2,000 to $2,800 for employee/spouse, employee/child(ren), and family plans.
Wade Weiss, acting as county weed commissioner, presented his annual report. The only noxious weed that’s a problem in the county is Canadian thistle. He said the weed situation has improved with spaying in both the spring and the fall.
The board approved having new photographs taken and updating the banners that hang on light poles on the inside of the courthouse square. (The city of Jefferson takes care of banners on the outside of the square.) Supervisor Pete Bardole suggested photos could be used to update the county website as well.
The board approved hiring Cynthia Thurman as fulltime PRN EMT for Greene County Ambulance, effective Oct. 13. Her annual pay will be $37,000.
