The Greene County supervisors will hold a public hearing Dec. 1 on an amendment to the county zoning ordinance regarding data centers and digital mining. County attorney Thomas Laehn said at the Nov. 24 supervisors’ meeting that the amendment isn’t necessary, that without it companies could go through the steps to obtain a conditional use from the board of adjustment.
“We’re not opening a new door. That door is there. It could be opened at any time,” board chair John Muir said. “We’re just making sure we have control when that happens.”
Laehn clarified Muir’s statement, saying, “The doorway is already open. Right now the board of adjustment is guarding the door. This is setting in an ordinance the conditions someone must meet to pass through that doorway that is already open.”
Laehn said the supervisors could leave decisions regarding data centers and digital mining up to the board of adjustment, but that because the supervisors are directly elected by the people, it’s appropriate for the board to put parameters in place.
Laehn also reported that an application filed by James Exline asking for post conviction relief, claiming he had received inadequate representation by his court appointed attorney, was denied. Exline was sentenced in 2018 to 75 years in prison after being found guilty at a jury trial of one count of sex abuse- second degree and one count of sex abuse- third degree.
The trial was held in Waverly. Exline was represented by Daniel Gonnerman of Carroll. The case was prosecuted by assistant attorney general Denise Timmons, with assistance of Laehn, who was assistant county attorney at the time.
County engineer Wade Weiss reported the secondary roads crew was mixing salt and sand that day and would be ready for predicted bad weather.
Weiss also reported the bid letting for replacement of the Parkland Ave bridge had taken place and that Jasper Construction was the apparent low bidder with a bid of $762,599. The project was budgeted for $800,000. Including design and inspection, the project will use the entire farm-to-market budget for the year.
Weis shared information from Verdin Company about needed repair to the Mahanay bell tower. Because a crane is needed to remove bells from the superstructure on the tower for their repair, the project was held up while it was determined if it could be done at the same time a crane will be needed to lift parts of the new HVAC system to the top of the courthouse roof.
That has been determined not to be workable because of timing of the two projects. Verdin reported a cost of $8,170 for the eight hours a crane will be needed, $6,139 for parts, $3,750 for labor, and $1,350 for general maintenance to be done at the same time, for a total of $19,405. The supervisors by consensus agreed to move forward with the project.
Jody Applegate of Elderbridge Agency on Aging made the annual budget request. She said meals served in Jefferson exceeded the meals budgeted for by 1,000, but that outside budget funds covered the excess. The request for FY27 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027) is $9,389 (2,845 residents 60 or older, @ $4.30).
The supervisors acted again on the election of a Rippey city council person at large. The Nov. 4 election resulted in a four-way tie, so a name was drawn to fill the position. That person did not accept the position. The supervisors drew a second name, Chelse Lawrence. She has 10 days to accept or decline the position. If she does not accept, the position will be vacant as of Jan. 1 and the Rippey city council will need to appoint someone or call for a special election.
The meeting was not available via Zoom because the account was locked, IT director Justin Bristow said, and he was unable to access the email account under which the Zoom account is registered. Bristow’s first day on the job was Nov. 10.
