The Greene County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Monday.
The meeting started with an update with Informational Technology Director Michelle Fields regarding the changes made with remote accessibility with the Board meetings. She said that with a suspected bot that hacked the Zoom meeting earlier in the month, the changes that were implemented included requesting a passcode from the County Auditor’s Office prior to the meeting starting and locking the system down after the meeting starts at 8:30am. This meant that no one was allowed permission to join after 8:30am, and all participants were not allowed to turn on their webcams and no comments audibly or written were allowed. It was also mentioned about utilizing a YouTube channel for live streaming the meetings. Anyone could watch the livestream and so Fields is going to pursue that option.
Jefferson City Administrator Scott Peterson then gave an update. He reported that the foundations and footings are underway with Origin Homes, which is building three single family homes in Jefferson. He noted that the former middle school and apartment conversion project is also underway near Highway 4 with the expected completion by next summer for 25 rental units.
The Board then heard a mid-year review of the county’s health insurance coverage from Ryan Bevens with Assured Partners. He stated that the actual claims are currently under the expected claims and with a $2.5 million reserve, he was confident the county could be steady for the next decade.
Greene County Development Corporation Interim Director Michelle Book gave an update. She clarified that GCDC approved partnering with the Ames Regional Economic Alliance on July 3rd, pending the AREA’s Board approval on July 25th. An August 6th signing ceremony is scheduled to take place and the individual who is tabbed to be the new director, on behalf of AREA, is Greg Piklapp, who is a former Boone City Council member and has been working with AREA. Book noted that the Multicultural Family Resource Center Director Sara Huddleston, will operate as a separate, stand alone non-profit organization and that the Vision 2030 initiative will resume in late September or early October.
The Board also approved an amended resolution to a previously approved resolution about the non-mandatory county appointees that are directly under the supervision of the Board that are now documenting when they leave and arrive at the Greene County Courthouse and note the different tasks they are doing while at their jobs. This is for the Informational Technology Director/Drainage District Clerk, County Environmental/Safety Director and courthouse custodians. Finally, the Board approved the County Recorder’s quarterly report of fees for April, May and June as presented.