Set special meeting to discuss Greene County Ambulance
The Greene County treasurer’s office is closed this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Oct. 7-9, as the entire staff is attending training to be able to issue drivers’ licenses. County treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen assured the county supervisors at their Oct. 5 meeting that this is the only time the full staff will do training at the same time.
Also at the Oct. 5 meeting, county sheriff Jack Williams reported that the new jail, which is located in an area prone to flooding during periods of abundant rainfall, “passed the test” during the heavy rain last week. He said water was within 8 feet of the building but no water came in. A pond and berm that were built as part of the site work for the project protected the building from flooding.
Williams also reported needed parts had arrived for a door in the jail. He said there was a possibility all inmates would need to be moved from the jail for a day so the repair could be done.
County attorney Thomas Laehn reviewed amendments he has made to the county zoning ordinance concerning repowering wind turbines and industrial-sized battery storage systems. He and the supervisors had discussed the changes at length during their last meeting.
The supervisors plan at their Oct. 12 meeting to set a public hearing on the amended ordinance for Oct. 19.
Laehn also reported having 68 indictable cases on the docket. His tenure as Greene County attorney will end with two major trials. He and assistant county attorney Laura Snider will prosecute a case in which the charge is attempted murder beginning Nov. 3, and then will prosecute a first degree murder case beginning Dec. 8.
Laehn’s term ends Dec. 31, 2026. He is not seeking re-election as county attorney but is running on the Libertarian ticket for the U.S. Senate.
County engineer Wade Weiss reported that County Road E-26 is “semi-open,” with local people driving on it although the Road Closed signs are still in place.
The supervisors discussed negative comments they’ve heard regarding Greene County Ambulance and agreed to set a meeting with ambulance director Michelle Madsen. That meeting has been set for Friday, Oct. 9, at 8 am, with the only agenda item being review of Madsen.
Williams had announced at a recent meeting that he was “tired of getting complaints about the ambulance” and that he was telling people to talk with the supervisors about their issues.
The meeting will be called to order and then move immediately into closed session per Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)I – To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individuals’ reputation and that individual requests a closed session.
Note: Although next Monday, Oct. 12, is a federal holiday, the county courthouse will be open for “business as usual” and the supervisors will hold a regular meeting. County employees forego Indigenous Peoples Day as a paid holiday but instead receive the day after Thanksgiving as a paid day off. The courthouse will be closed Friday, Nov. 27.
