Following last week’s detailed work session, the Washington County Supervisors, August 1, set a public hearing regarding a provision for a possible countywide wind ordinance for 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, August 22, at the start of their regular session.  Specifically, the motion is to consider the tax assessment for property with wind turbines.  The board agreed it is the first step in consideration of the wind energy ordinance, for which a draft was made in 2021. 

A second section deals with construction and operation of the actual turbine windmills.  Another hearing regarding that second section may be set at the August 22 meeting.  Initially, the board okayed the first hearing for August 15, but after it was noted that more time was needed to publish the hearing notice, they changed the date.

Supervisor Marcus Fedler had suggested both at the work session and at Tuesday’s board meeting that the first public hearing deal with the special assessment.  Last year, a change in Iowa law now permits counties to enact rules specific for wind energy conversion property.  However, a county could choose not to have a separate wind energy assessment, leaving the process to several earlier state code sections regulating property taxes for energy generating sites.

In other business, the board:

Recognized three employees for years of service to the county: specifically, Cara Sorrells, communications, 35 years; Bobbi Wulf, Mental Health/Disability Services, 25 years; and Alicia Pacha, treasurer’s office, 20 years.  In total, the three have given the county 80 years of service.

Denied a secondary roads use request from the Golden Hawk Shooting Club for a “fun” raising ride on Riverside Road, G36, Underwood Avenue and 150th Street (Vine Ave), due to lack of liability insurance.  Auditor Dan Widmer made the recommendation after telling the board he had spoken with the group, noting the state law requirement that they had tried to meet but were unable to get the coverage and “they understood the problem.”

Approved full-time seasonal employment for Lydia Davis as a Conservation Department naturalist intern, starting August 1 at $13 hourly.