The Greene County Board of Supervisors met yesterday in regular session.

The Board approved the second reading of the Local Option Sales and Services Tax for Dana, Grand Junction, Jefferson, Paton, Rippey, Scranton and the rural parts of the county.  The Board is expected approve the final reading for each city’s LOSST fund to be final following the general election.  The change will be in effect from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2027.

The Board also approved to not allow 150 homeowner’s homestead and military exemption tax relief for 2014.  Real Estate and Tax Coordinator Pam Olerich says it is for those new owners who recently bought a property and the homestead and/or military exemption tax credits were registered to the previous owner that the new owner will longer receive the tax relief for 2014, but can apply starting the following year.

The Board heard an update with economic development director of Greene County Development Corporation Ken Paxton.  He reported that he is working with Region XII Council of Governments to renovate some apartments in Jefferson to make those usable for renters.  He mentioned that they will work in conjunction with Jefferson Matters: Main Street to put on a tour of empty buildings to generate interest for new business owners to fill the empty storefronts on the downtown square in April.  Next month, he will be attending a Community Venture Network in Chicago to try and bring more businesses to the community.  He mentioned that there is one business that wants to manufacture and develop ammunition and firearms and they want to locate in Greene County.

County Engineer Wade Weiss told the Board that he was elected to be the secretary of the Iowa County Engineer’s Association and he was also nominated by the national engineer’s association for the rural county engineer’s of Iowa award.