News highlights of 2023 ranged from a celebratory opening a new animal shelter to sometimes heated discussions at Jefferson city council meetings concerning a new housing development. A ribbon cutting was held Sept. 24 at the new animal shelter at 1700 Doreen Wilber Drive in Jefferson. Animals had been moved from the former shelter in January as the space was…
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Supervisors okay use of master matrix for another year, hear funding requests
Names committee to determine use of opioid settlement ~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline Greene County will receive approximately $72,000 as its share of $345 million Iowa will receive through settlements with pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies found liable for the opioid crisis. The funds will be disbursed over five years. At the board of supervisors’ Dec. 27 meeting, county attorney…
Read MoreProperty valuations increase across the county
Greene County property owners will likely not be surprised that property valuations in the county as of Jan. 1, 2023, increased significantly. Auditor’s office real estate and tax coordinator Pam Olerich reported to the supervisors Dec. 27 that the total valuation is now at $876,889,249, an increase of 8.87 percent. Rural values increased 6.84 percent while urban (within incorporated cities)…
Read MoreYale special audit finds about $20,000 misspent by former city clerk
Clerk resigned after questioning by mayor ~special by The Scranton Journal For the second time in five years, the city of Yale, population 267, is the apparent victim of theft. A special audit by the Iowa State auditor released on Dec. 19 shows almost $20,000 in missing or misspent city funds. Auditor of State Rob Sand released a report on…
Read MoreScranton council oks rezoning of former Landus office
The Scranton city council approved a change in the zoning of the former Landus office on Main St during their Dec. 12 meeting. With the second and third reading of the zoning agreement waived, the switch of the zoning from commercial to residential took effect immediately. Dawn Rudolph highlighted the many activities taking place in the Scranton Community Center. Pickleball…
Read MoreCompensation board recommends 4 percent salary increase for county elected officials
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline The Greene County compensation board met on Dec. 21 to discuss salary figures for elected officials in the county. The seven-member board then recommends figures to the board of supervisors who can adjust the recommended salaries as they put together a county budget for FY2025. Each member of the compensation board is appointed by an…
Read MoreSupes start process of hiring project manager for jail
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline The Greene County supervisors received information about hiring a construction manager for the new county jail at their Dec. 18 meeting. Joey Wendinger, project manager with ISG, architects for the project, presented the board with a notice of intent to enter into a guaranteed maximum price contract for a construction manager at-risk (CmaR)for the new…
Read MoreJeff city council holds special meeting
The Jefferson city council at a special morning meeting Dec. 18 approved a settlement in a lawsuit arising from construction of the new animal shelter. The city of Jefferson was named as a defendant as owner of the building. The lawsuit was the result of an issue early in construction of the building. The foundation had been poured in early…
Read MoreElks plan 52nd annual Christmas dinner
The Jefferson Elks lodge will host its 52nd annual free Christmas dinner Christmas Day at 4 pm at the lodge, 103 W. Harrison St. The meal is a community service for those who might be alone on Christmas, those who are unable to prepare a Christmas meal, and those who just need a little extra Christmas cheer. Dine-in meals, carryout,…
Read MoreGreene County school board hears district career and academic plan
The Greene County Schools board of education handled routine business at its Dec. 13 regular meeting. Karen Sandberg, the district’s director of teaching and learning, presented the district career and academic plan (DCAP). This is the first year the state Department of Education is requiring districts to provide the plan, which is intended to provide a framework for districts to…
Read MoreLobbying against housing project continues
Still no name for animal shelter Jefferson mayor Matt Gordon presided at his last council meeting Tuesday, calling his time serving in city elected positions “a great experience.” He said he wishes the best for incoming mayor Craig Berry when he returns as mayor in January. “He’ll be very familiar with the job so we’ll be in good shape,” Gordon…
Read MoreSupervisors hear first budget requests for FY25
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline At the meeting Dec. 11, the Greene County board of supervisors, chaired by supervisor Dawn Rudolph in the absence of John Muir, began hearing requests for FY2025 funding from agencies and organizations providing services to Greene County. This process continues at each board meeting until all have been heard and a budget is hammered out…
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